Veteran actor and face of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Wilford Brimley passed away over the weekend at the age of 85.
Brimley, whose smooth voice and bushy mustache were unmistakeable, was also known for his Quaker Oats commercials and more infamously his PSA's on behalf of ADA where his pronunciation of 'diabeetus' spawned a wave of memes back in the 00's. During his acting career, he starred in a wide range of productions such as The Waltons, John Carpenter's 1982 remake of The Thing and sitcom classic Seinfeld.Â
Born Anthony Wilford Brimley in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 27, 1934,  Wilford served as a marine in the Aleutian Islands for three years, but also worked as a bodyguard, a ranch hand and blacksmith. He then began shoeing horses for film and television. Starting off as an extra and stunt man during the 60s, Wilford had no formal training in acting. Despite this, Wilford gained a regular role as Horace Brimley in popular 70's drama The Waltons and would go on to have an acting career that spanned over 40 years with his last role as a Pastor in 2017's I Believe.
Brimley was a recognizable character actor who appeared in a diverse range of films and TV shows, working with the likes of John Carpenter, Ron Howard and John Woo. Not content to stick to acting, he also dabbled with music, releasing an album of jazz covers in 2004, This Time, The Dream's On Me, and played the harmonica during an appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in 2011.
First diagnosed with diabetes in 1979, Brimley campaigned to raise awareness of the condition and was honored by the ADA for his lifetime of service. His first marriage with Lynn Bagley lasted from 1956 to her death in 2000. Wilford would remarry in 2007 to Beverley Berry who he leaves behind along with 4 sons from his first marriage.
Source: Cinemablend