Wilford Brimley has died; "Cocoon" star and Quaker Oates pitchman dies at age 85; cause of death kidney ailment - CBS News

Wilford Brimley, who worked his way up from movie stunt rider to an indelible character actor who brought gruff charm, and sometimes menace, to a range of films that included "Cocoon," "The Natural" and "The Firm," has died.

Brimley's manager Lynda Bensky said the actor died Saturday morning in a Utah hospital.

"Wilford Brimley was a man you could trust," Bensky said in a statement.

"He said what he meant and he meant what he said.

Barbara Hershey, who met Brimley on 1995′s "Last of the Dogmen," called him "a wonderful man and actor?

In 1993's John Grisham adaptation "The Firm," Brimley starred opposite Tom Cruise as a tough-nosed investigator who deployed ruthless tactics to keep his law firm's secrets safe.

I was overjoyed making those scenes and especially working with Wilford Brimley.".

A Utah native who grew up around horses, Brimley spent two decades traveling around the West and working at ranches and race tracks.

"Basically my method is to be honest," Brimley said told AP

As a vocalist, he made albums including "This Time the Dream's On Me" and "Wilford Brimley with the Jeff Hamilton Trio."