Bud Cort, 'Harold and Maude' Star, Dies at 77

The veteran actor was best known for his role as the death-obsessed teenager in the 1971 cult classic film.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 11:39am

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Bud Cort, the actor who starred as the young, morose Harold in the 1971 cult classic film "Harold and Maude," died on February 11 at the age of 77 in Norwalk, Connecticut. Cort appeared in over 40 movies and dozens of TV shows throughout his career, but he was best known for his breakout role as the death-obsessed 19-year-old who falls in love with the much older Maude, played by Ruth Gordon.

Why it matters

"Harold and Maude" has become a beloved cult film, with Cort's performance as the quirky, anti-establishment Harold considered one of the best romantic comedy roles of the 1970s. Cort's death marks the passing of an iconic actor from that era, whose career was defined by his most famous role.

The details

Cort got his start in the industry with a small part in Robert Altman's 1970 film "M*A*S*H," which led to him being cast in the title role of Altman's next film, "Brewster McCloud." That performance caught the attention of director Hal Ashby, who cast Cort as Harold in "Harold and Maude." Though the film was initially a critical and commercial flop, it went on to develop a strong cult following in the 1970s. Cort was 21 years old when he played the role, and many of Harold's most memorable moments were his own ideas. However, the fame of the film also led to Cort being typecast and struggling to find leading roles later in his career.

  • Cort died on February 11, 2026 in Norwalk, Connecticut.
  • "Harold and Maude" was released in 1971.

The players

Bud Cort

A veteran stage and screen actor best known for playing the role of Harold in the 1971 film "Harold and Maude." He appeared in over 40 movies and dozens of TV shows throughout his career.

Ruth Gordon

Cort's co-star in "Harold and Maude," playing the role of the 79-year-old Maude who befriends and falls in love with Cort's character Harold.

Hal Ashby

The director of the 1971 film "Harold and Maude," who cast Cort in the title role after being impressed by his performance in Robert Altman's previous films.

Robert Altman

The director who gave Cort his first major break, casting him in a small role in the 1970 film "M*A*S*H" and then immediately giving him the lead role in his next film, "Brewster McCloud."

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What they’re saying

“Everyone assumed I was that person. I've been through the whole thing of being followed around. People used to come to my hotel and leave tombstones and pictures of dead babies. I try to talk to them, tell them they missed the point of the movie.”

— Bud Cort

The takeaway

Bud Cort's death marks the passing of an iconic actor whose most famous role as the quirky, death-obsessed teenager in "Harold and Maude" cemented the film's status as a beloved cult classic of the 1970s. Though Cort struggled with being typecast after the film's success, his performance remains one of the most memorable of that era.