‘Harold and Maude’ star Bud Cort dead at 77
Bud Cort, an actor best known for his role as Harold in the 1971 classic, Harold and Maude, has passed away at the age of 77.
Cort’s friend Dorian Hannaway, a writer and producer by trade, has said that he has died after a “long illness”.
Cort’s career spanned over 80 films, TV series, and moving image projects, which began in earnest as Cort played the death-obsessed Harold in Hal Ashby’s beloved film.
It is Cort’s stellar performance in the unique, dark comedy, in which he falls in love with an older woman who dies, and teaches him how to live, that touched the lives of many. It earned him acting nominations for a Golden Globe and a Bafta.
Running Man director Edgar Wright has paid tribute to the “magnetic presence”, and referenced the Harold and Maude era of his life: “Not only is this beloved film a pitch-perfect black comedy-cum-love story for the ages, but Bud Cort delivers one of the greatest looks to camera in film.”
Cort was born Walter Edward Cox in New York, but changed his name to aid his career and avoid confusion with character actor Wally Cox.
He eventually moved to Los Angeles to work in film, where he was cast by Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H; from there, he landed the eponymous role in Brewster McCloud, which follows a young recluse who lives in a fallout shelter where he builds a pair of wings, hoping one day to fly. He is aided by the guardian angel, played by Sally Kellerman.
The actor has also starred in Wes Anderson’s comedy, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, as well as Heat, Dogma, Coyote Ugly, She Dances Alone, and Electric Dreams.
He was also a voice actor in his time, voicing the character Toyman in Superman: The Animated Series, as well as characters in Static Shock and Justice League Unlimited.
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