Wilford Brimley Quotes

Powerful Wilford Brimley for Daily Growth

About Wilford Brimley

Wilford Brimley (1934-2020) was an American character actor known for his distinctive baritone voice and rugged, grizzled appearance. Born on September 27, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Brimley grew up in a large family in a rural setting that would later influence his acting choices. After serving in the United States Coast Guard during the Korean War, Brimley began his career as a carpenter before transitioning to truck driving. It was during this time that he was discovered by a talent scout and ventured into acting. His first major role came in 1974 with the television film 'The Iron Horse,' where he played real-life figure John Henry. However, it was his role as Caleb Colby on the television series 'Our House' from 1986 to 1992 that truly catapulted Brimley to stardom. Brimley is perhaps best known for his film roles in 'The Thing' (1982), 'Absence of Malice' (1981), and the iconic diabetes commercials for Liberty Medical, where he famously declared, "Diabetes is like a tidal wave. A tidal wave you can live with but you don't want to get caught in one." Throughout his career, Brimley was celebrated for his portrayals of strong, stoic characters, often in roles that required a certain ruggedness and depth. Despite not having formal acting training, he won over audiences with his natural talent and charisma. Off-screen, Brimley was an advocate for various causes, including diabetes awareness, forest conservation, and veteran rights. He passed away on August 1, 2020, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a profound impact on those he touched both on and off the screen.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm a diabetic and I have to be careful about what I eat."

This quote from Wilford Brimley reflects his personal experience with diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body's inability to produce or respond properly to insulin. Being a diabetic means that he needs to be mindful of what he consumes, as certain foods can cause spikes in blood sugar levels. This requires careful meal planning and adherence to a balanced diet, regular exercise, and appropriate medication usage to manage his diabetes effectively.


"Diabetes is like having a tiger in your garage. You don't want it there, but you learn to live with it."

The quote suggests that diabetes is an uninvited and potentially dangerous condition (comparable to having a tiger in one's garage) that requires careful management, as one wouldn't simply ignore a wild animal in their home. The "learning to live with it" part implies that while diabetes may pose challenges, people can find ways to cope and maintain their daily lives despite its presence.


"If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt."

Wilford Brimley's quote is a humorous yet thought-provoking statement that highlights the importance of responsibility, especially when it comes to the influence of alcohol. He suggests that if one chooses to drink alcohol, they should refrain from operating vehicles (like cars or golf carts in the context of putt-putt golf), activities where their actions could potentially harm others. This quote serves as a reminder to always prioritize safety and considerate behavior, especially when under the influence.


"I never met a tree I didn't like."

Wilford Brimley's quote, "I never met a tree I didn't like," suggests an appreciation for nature and trees in particular, perhaps conveying a deep respect and affection towards the natural world and its creatures. It might imply that he finds beauty, wisdom, or tranquility in trees, and that they are an essential part of his connection to the environment. The quote also hints at his humble, down-to-earth character who can find common ground with even the most ordinary things.


"The older you get, the more things you realize you could've done better."

This quote encapsulates the universal experience of introspection and self-improvement as one matures in life. As we grow older, we acquire wisdom and perspective that allows us to reflect on our actions, decisions, and experiences, often leading us to recognize areas where we could have done better or made different choices. This realization can serve as a powerful motivator for personal growth and self-improvement, fostering resilience, humility, and the pursuit of self-actualization. It serves as a reminder that life is an ongoing journey of learning and self-discovery.


I resent the fact that people in places like Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco believe that they should be able to tell us how to live our lives, operate our businesses, and what to do with the land that we love and cherish.

- Wilford Brimley

Love, Boston, Francisco, Cherish

I live on a ranch in Utah for now, but I'm gonna move. I've got another ranch to move to, but its location is a secret. When I get there, I'm gonna plow the road in behind me.

- Wilford Brimley

Behind, Move, Gonna, Ranch

I raise quarter horses. Mine are mostly thoroughbred cross horses, a little bigger horses than some people like. I sell them or use them on the ranch. A lot of them go to the rodeo arena and some of them go to racetracks.

- Wilford Brimley

Some, Use, Mostly, Ranch

My saddle horses are my friends. My dogs are my friends.

- Wilford Brimley

Friends, Dogs, Horses, Saddle

The place was built on the premise that people want to gamble, and they may as well do it here. They look after their clientele, and, hell, they treat me like I'm one of their family.

- Wilford Brimley

Treat, Here, May, Premise

I didn't go to acting school, but I've been observing my fellow man for 66 years now, and I would think that's the best school there is.

- Wilford Brimley

Think, Been, Fellow Man, Observing

I maintain that if there is such a thing as a true and honest environmentalist, it's people like Slim and hopefully me, who have been caretakers of the land all our lives, along with the generations before us.

- Wilford Brimley

Been, Maintain, Before, Environmentalist

Hopefully, generations after us will continue to protect, preserve, and look after this wonderful land.

- Wilford Brimley

Will, Continue, Generations, Hopefully

Well, we all are what we are, I guess you might say by an accident of birth.

- Wilford Brimley

Well, Might, Guess, Accident

I didn't go to high school. I think that after you learn to read and write and do your numbers and flush the toilet behind yourself, you don't need no more schoolin'. You need to get out in the water and swim.

- Wilford Brimley

Numbers, Behind, I Think, Swim

I'm not anybody's judge; I don't know what motivates people to do what they do. But I have a lot of admiration for anybody who can start with absolutely nothing and make a little something out of it.

- Wilford Brimley

Start, Nothing, Anybody, Absolutely Nothing

I'm very proud of my heritage.

- Wilford Brimley

Proud, Very, Heritage

I'm a widower with three sons and seven grandchildren. One of my sons is my partner on the ranch.

- Wilford Brimley

Grandchildren, Ranch, Sons, Partner

I've already got my rent paid, and it's too late in my life for me to go around talking up stuff that I don't like or believe in.

- Wilford Brimley

My Life, Too Late, Like, Rent

What I know about poker, you can fit into a thimble with room left over, but I'm learning.

- Wilford Brimley

Learning, Over, About, Poker

No, that's poker. To win, you've gotta get damned lucky.

- Wilford Brimley

Lucky, Get, Gotta, Poker

I love watching a good horse do what he's bred to do - I guess that's what I like the most about it. And I love to see good athletes do what they're bred to do.

- Wilford Brimley

Love, Like, Bred, Athletes

I rope steers in team roping events. There's a header and a heeler on a roping team, and I'm the heeler.

- Wilford Brimley

Team, Events, Rope

Everybody that's an actor leaves it for a while 'cause they ain't got a job.

- Wilford Brimley

Actor, Everybody, Cause, Leaves

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