Bud Cort, the character actor who starred alongside Ruth Gordon in the cult classic black comedy “Harold and Maude,” died February 11, 2026, in Connecticut. According to reports, he died after a long illness at the age of 77. Here is the feature we wrote on Cort in June 2025:
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Bud Cort, born Walter Edward Cox on March 29, 1948, in New Rochelle, New York, is an American actor best known for his distinctive roles in offbeat and cult-classic films such as Harold and Maude and Brewster McCloud.
Early Life & Rye Roots
Cort was raised in Rye, New York, as the second of five children in a creative and culturally engaged household. His father, Joseph Parker Cox, was a bandleader and owner of a men’s clothing store in downtown Rye, while his mother, Alma Mary Cox (née Court), had worked at MGM and was active in the arts. Bud attended local Catholic schools and later Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, graduating in 1966.
Even as a child, he showed exceptional talent as a painter and storyteller. He briefly attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts and studied acting with legendary teacher Stella Adler before pursuing acting professionally.
Rise to Fame
Bud Cort’s breakout came when director Robert Altman cast him in back-to-back films: first in a supporting role in M*A*S*H (1970), then in the lead role in Brewster McCloud (1970). He quickly became known for his ability to portray eccentric, introspective characters.
His most iconic role followed in 1971, when he starred as Harold in Harold and Maude, a dark comedy that developed a major cult following and earned Cort widespread acclaim, including Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations
Career & Resilience
After early success, Cort continued to take on unique and often unconventional roles. His filmography includes appearances in Electric Dreams (1984), Pollock (2000), Dogma (1999), and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), among others. He also lent his voice to animated series, most notably as Toyman in Superman: The Animated Series and related shows in the DC Animated Universe.
In 1979, Cort survived a devastating car crash in Los Angeles that left him with serious injuries and temporarily derailed his career. Despite years of physical and legal battles, he made a resilient return to acting, earning a reputation for his perseverance and dedication to craft. He continued working in film and theater and co-founded the LA Classic Theatre Works with, among others, Richard Dreyfuss and Rene Auberjonois.
