Bud Cort, Star of Cult Classic 'Harold and Maude,' Dies at 77

The character actor was best known for his role in the 1971 dark comedy romance.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Bud Cort, the character actor best known for his performance in the cult classic film "Harold and Maude," has died at the age of 77. Cort's friend confirmed his death, stating he passed away in Connecticut after a long illness. Cort earned widespread recognition for his role as Harold, a death-obsessed rich kid who strikes up a relationship with the free-spirited Maude, played by Ruth Gordon. While the film received mixed reviews upon its initial release, it has since been reclaimed as a cult classic.

Why it matters

Bud Cort's portrayal of Harold in "Harold and Maude" has become an iconic performance in the history of cinema. The film's dark humor and exploration of themes like mortality and nonconformity have resonated with audiences for decades, cementing its status as a cult classic. Cort's death marks the passing of a talented character actor who left an indelible mark on the film industry.

The details

Cort, born and raised outside of New York City, nearly became a priest before deciding to pursue acting. He secured his breakout role with a small part in Robert Altman's 1970 film "M*A*S*H," and Altman then cast him as the lead in the black comedy "Brewster McCloud" that same year. "Harold and Maude" followed in 1971, and while the film wasn't a huge hit at the time, it led to Cort being typecast as outcasts and oddballs. He turned down many of these roles, including the part of Billy Bibbit in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Cort's career was later upended by a near-fatal car accident in 1979, but he continued to work steadily in film and television over the following decades.

  • Cort earned his widest recognition for his turn in "Harold and Maude," which was released in 1971.
  • Cort nearly died in a car crash in 1979, which upended his career for a time.
  • Cort made his last film appearance in the 2016 short "Affections."

The players

Bud Cort

The character actor best known for his performance in the cult classic film "Harold and Maude."

Hal Ashby

The director of "Harold and Maude."

Colin Higgins

The screenwriter of "Harold and Maude."

Chuck Mulvehill

The producer of "Harold and Maude."

Ruth Gordon

The actress who played Maude in "Harold and Maude."

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What they’re saying

“I'm playing this part.”

— Bud Cort (The Guardian)

“I guess you are!”

— Hal Ashby, Director (The Guardian)

“Because I worked so hard on that performance [in Harold and Maude], 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 New York Times)

The takeaway

Bud Cort's iconic performance as Harold in the cult classic "Harold and Maude" cemented his legacy as a talented character actor, even as he struggled with being typecast in similar roles. His death marks the passing of a beloved figure in cinema history whose work continues to resonate with audiences decades later.