Stout, often bespectacled, character actor of film and TV with a walrus mustache and a flair for accents. Expert at playing endearing curmudgeons, Brimley is best known for his portrayal of an increasingly frisky grandfather in "Cocoon" (1985) and "Cocoon: The Return" (1988), and as the avuncular spokesman of a series of commercials for Quaker Oats. Though surprisingly young, his appearance and bearing can convincingly suggest robust old age. A true Westerner, the young Brimley worked as a ranch hand, wrangler and blacksmith to support his family. His first exposure to show business was indirect: he shoed horses for stables that furnished animals for movie and TV Westerns. Brimley began working as a riding extra for Westerns during the mid-1960s and formed a lasting friendship with the up-and-coming actor Robert Duvall who urged the cowboy to pursue acting as a career. Brimley earned his Screen Actors Guild card by doing stunt work. Not surprisingly, his first assignments were in Westerns. While appearing as a recurring character on "The Waltons", Brimley was invited by series star Ralph Waite to become an original member of his Los Angeles Actors Theater. Brimley has become one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors since his breakthrough performance as the plant foreman in "The China Syndrome" (1979). His career highlights include roles in "The Electric Horseman" (1979) with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, "Absence of Malice" (1981) with Paul Newman, "Tender Mercies" (1982) with Duvall, and "The Natural" (1984) as Redford's reluctant manager. Brimley also starred in "Our House", a family-oriented comedy drama on NBC-TV (1986-88). He offered sturdy support as the sinister company watchdog in "The Firm" and as the crafty Cajun foster father of Jean-Claude Van Damme in John Woo's "Hard Target" (both 1993).
(We acknowledge the financial support of the Diablo Regional Arts Association)
Stout, often bespectacled, character actor of film and TV with a walrus mustache and a flair for accents. Expert at playing endearing curmudgeons, Brimley is best known for his portrayal of an increasingly frisky grandfather in "Cocoon" (1985) and "Cocoon: The Return" (1988), and as the avuncular spokesman of a series of commercials for Quaker Oats. Though surprisingly young, his appearance and bearing can convincingly suggest robust old age. A true Westerner, the young Brimley worked as a ranch hand, wrangler and blacksmith to support his family. His first exposure to show business was indirect: he shoed horses for stables that furnished animals for movie and TV Westerns. Brimley began working as a riding extra for Westerns during the mid-1960s and formed a lasting friendship with the up-and-coming actor Robert Duvall who urged the cowboy to pursue acting as a career. Brimley earned his Screen Actors Guild card by doing stunt work. Not surprisingly, his first assignments were in Westerns. While appearing as a recurring character on "The Waltons", Brimley was invited by series star Ralph Waite to become an original member of his Los Angeles Actors Theater. Brimley has become one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors since his breakthrough performance as the plant foreman in "The China Syndrome" (1979). His career highlights include roles in "The Electric Horseman" (1979) with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, "Absence of Malice" (1981) with Paul Newman, "Tender Mercies" (1982) with Duvall, and "The Natural" (1984) as Redford's reluctant manager. Brimley also starred in "Our House", a family-oriented comedy drama on NBC-TV (1986-88). He offered sturdy support as the sinister company watchdog in "The Firm" and as the crafty Cajun foster father of Jean-Claude Van Damme in John Woo's "Hard Target" (both 1993).