Harold and Maude Star Bud Cort Dies at 77

The Golden Globe-nominated actor was known for his roles in Brewster McCloud and the cult classic Harold and Maude.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Bud Cort, the actor known for his starring roles in the films Brewster McCloud and Harold and Maude, has died at the age of 77. Cort passed away on February 11 in Connecticut after a lengthy illness, according to multiple reports. Born Walter Edward Cox in 1948 in New Rochelle, New York, Cort discovered his love for performing early on and began his career in commercials, on stage, and in television before landing his breakout role in the 1970 film M*A*S*H, which launched his screen career.

Why it matters

Bud Cort was a highly respected and acclaimed actor who left an indelible mark on cinema with his iconic performances, particularly in the cult classic Harold and Maude. His death marks the end of an era and the loss of a talented artist who inspired generations of actors and filmmakers.

The details

Cort went on to earn strong reviews in a variety of films over the following decades, including She Dances Alone, Electric Dreams, Heat, Dogma, Coyote Ugly, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He also lent his voice to the character Toyman in several DC Comics animated series. In 1972, Cort made his Broadway debut in the play Wise Child, and in 1974 he co-founded the LA Classic Theatre Works with Richard Dreyfuss, Rene Auberjonois, and others. At one point, he even lived with the late performer Groucho Marx.

  • Bud Cort died on February 11, 2026.
  • Cort was born in 1948 in New Rochelle, New York.

The players

Bud Cort

An American actor known for his starring roles in the films Brewster McCloud and the cult classic Harold and Maude, for which he received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.

Robert Altman

The acclaimed American film director who cast Cort in his 1970 film M*A*S*H, which launched Cort's screen career.

Jamie Lee Curtis

The Oscar-winning actress who befriended Cort and later had him make a surprise appearance as a male stripper at her wedding shower, which her mother Janet Leigh also attended.

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What they’re saying

“He was a talented and interesting person, and I am glad that the universe brought us into orbit with each other for a brief time.”

— Jamie Lee Curtis (Facebook and Instagram)

The takeaway

Bud Cort's passing marks the end of an era for a beloved and acclaimed actor whose iconic performances, particularly in Harold and Maude, have left an indelible mark on cinema and inspired generations of filmmakers and performers.