**Wilford Brimley (1934-2020)** was an American actor, recognizable for his candid face and deep voice. Starting his film career at an advanced age, he established himself as a versatile character actor.

He is famous for a number of iconic roles, including the elderly leader in *Cocoon* (1985), the paranoid microbiologist Blair in John Carpenter's *The Thing* (1982), and the loyal friend in *Tender Mercies* (1983). He also appeared in *The China Syndrome* (1979) as an engineer.

Brimley was often cast as figures of common sense, sometimes gruff but always loyal and authentic. His stage presence conveyed reliability and simple honesty, making him a familiar and reassuring face in American cinema.