Bud Cort, Star of ‘Harold and Maude’ Dies at 77

Bud Cort, the distinctive actor celebrated for his title role in Hal Ashby’s “Harold and Maude,” has passed away at the age of 77.

Born in Rye, New York, in 1948, Cort broke through in 1970 when director Robert Altman cast him in two films: “MASH” and “Brewster McCloud,” taking center stage in the latter as the quirky titular character who attracts suspicion after constructing wings intended to allow him to fly.

However, it was in 1971’s “Harold and Maude” that Cort achieved enduring fame. He portrayed Harold Chasen, a young man fascinated with death who forms an unlikely friendship with a spirited older woman, learning to find joy in life along the way. The film’s dark humor, bold subject matter — and that iconic Cat Stevens soundtrack — helped it become a cult classic, with Cort’s performance central to its distinct tone.

What a delicate balance of deadpan wit and vulnerability Cort brought to this iconic role, making the character simultaneously unsettling and endearing. What awkward charm! All perfectly balanced with Ruth Gordon’s exuberant Maude, creating a chemistry that has resonated with audiences for decades. It’s the kind of unforgettable film that has inspired countless filmmakers, including Alexander Payne and Wes Anderson.

When it premiered in 1971, the film flopped both with critics and at the box office, but over time it has come to be celebrated as a classic. Yet it came with a price — Cort later reflected on the experience as a mixed one, describing it as both a gift and a curse.

“I was typecast to the point where I didn’t make a film for five years after ‘Harold and Maude,’” Cort said. “I’ve had my moment where I just cursed that movie and wished I’d never done it.”

He would go on to build a modest acting career, filled with low-key supporting work. Some of his credits would include “Dogma,” “But I’m a Cheerleader,” “Coyote Ugly,” “Pollock,” “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” “Brain Dead,” “The Number 23,” and uncredited role in “Heat.”