Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Who is Wilford Brimley and Why Did Yellowstone Pay Tribute to Him?

Who is Wilford Brimley Yellowstone Tribute Explained
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Since he’s an inspiration for the whole Western or cowboy genre, Wilford Brimley was honored in an episode of Yellowstone. The popular series took a moment to celebrate Brimley’s legendary career during episode 9 of its 3rd season. They paid him tribute by having a title card saying the following words: “In loving memory of Wilford Brimley. A cowboy, an artist, and a damn good friend.”

Given that it’s one of the more prominent Western genre series franchises today, it only makes sense for Yellowstone to pay tribute to the iconic actor. That said, just who is Wilford Brimley, and what’s he got to do with the series?

A Brief Look at Brimley’s Life and Career 

Wilford Brimley was born and raised in Salt lake City, Utah. He dropped out of high school when he reached the age of 14 and started working as a cowboy in Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho. By 1953, Brimley enlisted with the Marines and managed to grab the rank of Sergeant. 

After his service in the Marines, Brimley took up varying jobs. He worked as a ranch hand, bodyguard, wrangler, and even a blacksmith for the businessman Howard Huges. During that time, he started shoeing horses meant for television and film. 

RELATED: Exploring the Interconnected Relationships of the Dutton Family in ‘Yellowstone’ and its Spin-Off ‘1883’

During the 1960s, Brimley’s acting career began. He took on roles as a stuntman or riding extra in plenty of Western films. Although these acting roles can be considered minor, most were on notable shows and movies such as True Grit (1969), The Thing (1982), Texas Ranger (1993-2001), and Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009). While it’s unfortunate, Wilford Brimley didn’t actually star in the Yellowstone series

Surprisingly, there is more to Brimley than just his acting and stunt career. The man was also an accomplished harmonica player and singer. He even released a jazz album titled “This Time the Dream’s on Me” in 2004.   

Brimley also starred in several commercials throughout his career. One of the more notable ones would be his ad for Quaker Oats, a globally famous oatmeal brand. He also worked with the Liberty medical and American Diabetes Association. Starring in their commercials aimed at educating people about diabetes. 

Sadly, Wilford Brimley passed away on August 1, 2020, in a St. George, Utah, hospital. He had been suffering from a kidney condition for two months before his death. Brimley was 85 years old when he took his final breath. 

While it’s true that he had no formal training in acting, Brimley still managed to leave his mark in the western or cowboy genre. He has also inspired many people in the industry throughout his acting career. Of course, this included the people behind the popular Yellowstone series, which deemed it necessary to pay Wilford Brimley a tribute in one of their episodes. 

Latest Stories

Keith Urban holds a CMA award on stage, showing the same trophies he often ships home so his mom can keep a room full of them.

Keith Urban Gives Away Almost Every Award He Wins So One Person Can Keep a Room Full of Them

Keith Urban doesn’t just pick up awards, he packs them up and ships them off faster than most country stars can find a shelf. For a guy who’s racked up ...

Toby Keith performs with his American flag guitar, the same patriotic spirit that fueled his song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue."

The Untold Truth Behind Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”

When Toby Keith sat down with a fantasy football stat sheet and scribbled out “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”, he didn’t just write a song. He lit a ...

Toby Keith plays guitar with an American flag design, capturing the patriotic vibe perfect for a Fourth of July country playlist.

35 Patriotic Country Songs to Turn Your Backyard Into the Ultimate 4th of July Party

Nothing says freedom like blasting a rowdy country playlist while you torch a few burgers, keep the cooler stocked, and watch your drunk uncle light fireworks way too close to ...

Keith Urban sits next to Nicole Kidman looking serious, a moment that echoes him shutting down talk about her steamy movie scenes.

Keith Urban Shuts Down Interview When Nicole Kidman’s Scenes With Younger Men Are Mentioned

Some lines just ain’t worth crossing, especially when you’re asking Keith Urban about Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron rolling around on screen. This week, the whole thing went sideways when ...

Tim McGraw sits outdoors with Faith Hill, leaning on a cane, sparking questions about his health but showing their strong bond.

Tim McGraw Using a Cane With Faith Hill Beside Him Raises Questions About His Health

Sometimes country music’s strongest cowboys need a little help standing tall, and Tim McGraw’s latest photo has folks asking how much longer he can keep carrying that torch. It’s not ...

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood smile together at an event, standing united amid the ongoing sexual assault lawsuit drama.

Garth Brooks’ Marriage With Trisha Yearwood Reportedly Unshaken by Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Nothing tests a marriage like ugly headlines, but Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are riding out this storm shoulder to shoulder. Since last October, Garth Brooks has been staring down ...

Country legend George Jones plays guitar under spotlight, embodying the raw heartbreak behind these 12 most depressing country songs.

These 12 Depressing Country Songs Will Have You Sobbing and Hitting Repeat All Night

Straight from the depths of Reddit’s country corner, here’s a list built by real fans who know heartbreak better than any Nashville hit machine ever could. These songs weren’t picked ...

Jimmy Swaggart preaching passionately in an undated photo, remembered now after his death at 90 from a heart attack.

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart Dies at 90 Just Weeks After Suffering a Massive Heart Attack

There’s a hush across Pentecostal churches this week as believers remember Jimmy Swaggart, the firebrand evangelist, gospel singer, and TV preacher who spent decades filling stadiums, living rooms, and airwaves ...

Gavin Adcock onstage raising a whiskey bottle while blasting Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ as “not real country music.”

Viral Country Star Gavin Adcock Slams Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Says ‘That S— Ain’t Country Music’

Some headlines feel like a parody of the country music circus these days, and this is one of them. Gavin Adcock, the beer-slinging viral star who built half his brand ...

George Strait beams onstage at Patriots Stadium, guitar in hand, as he brings Texas charm with “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.”

George Strait Brings Lone Star Magic to Patriots Stadium With “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Some legends don’t need confetti cannons or stadium-shaking pyros. They just need a guitar, a baritone voice, and a song about every ex they ever outran in a pickup truck. ...