Wilford Brimley, Beloved Actor & Face Of Quaker Oats, Dead At 85

Wilford Brimley, the iconic actor and beloved face of Quaker Oats, has died. He was 85.

The star was being treated for medical problems and on dialysis at a hospital in St. George, Utah, when he passed away Saturday morning (August 1), his manager, Lynda Bensky confirmed to outlets. She also revealed Brimley had been sick for two months with a kidney ailment.

"Wilford Brimley was a man you could trust. He said what he meant and he meant what he said," Bensky told CNN. "He had a tough exterior and a tender heart. I'm sad that I will no longer get to hear my friend's wonderful stories. He was one of a kind."

Brimley launched his acting career in the ‘70s and earned his shot to stardom on the small screen, starring in a variety of television shows including The Oregon TrailKung FuHow the West Was Won, and countless others. Respectively, the actor was immensely popular for his silver screen portrayals in movies like CocoonHard TargetThe Thing, and The Natural. Overall, Brimley garnered over 70 acting credits throughout his long-running career.

However, the mustachioed actor is perhaps most notable for his commercials with Quaker Oats in the ‘80s and ‘90s and for his unforgettable “diabeetus” spoofs for Liberty Medical, in which he encouraged viewers to check their blood sugar often. In 2008, he was honored for his lifelong efforts by The American Diabetes Association.

Before his death, Brimley had been living with diabetes mellitus since he was diagnosed in 1979.

Wilford is survived by his wife, Beverly, and his three sons.

Photo: Getty Images


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