Bud Cort, ‘Harold and Maude’ & ‘Brewster McCloud’ Star, Dies at 77

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Bud Cort, the actor famous for his role as Harold in the beloved film Harold and Maude, has died at the age of 77. He passed away on February 11, 2026, at an assisted living facility in Norwalk, Connecticut, due to complications from pneumonia. Producer and friend Dorian Hannaway shared the news with The Hollywood Reporter.

You know, Bud Cort was a real natural talent – a true prodigy when it came to acting and the stage. He just loved it, even as a young kid, because he was a creative soul at heart. I heard he’d practically live at the stage door, especially when Barbra Streisand’s sister, Roslyn Kind, was performing. He’d see every show he possibly could. It wasn’t just a job for him; he genuinely adored the theater and always dreamed of being a creative artist.

Bud Cort, born on March 29, 1948, in Rye, New York, first gained widespread recognition in 1970 when Robert Altman cast him as Private Lorenzo Boone in MASH. He was just 22 years old at the time. That same year, Altman also gave Cort the lead role in Brewster McCloud. The following year, in 1971, Cort starred as Harold Parker Chasen in Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude*. The film centers around a young man with a fascination with death who rediscovers his zest for life after falling in love with Maude (Ruth Gordon), a woman nearing her 80th birthday.

The Legacy of ‘Harold and Maude’ and Bud Cort’s Incredible Career


Paramount Pictures

Initially, the film Harold and Maude wasn’t a success and received mixed reactions. However, it quickly gained a dedicated following and became a beloved cult classic. Today, it’s considered one of the best romance films ever made and a significant work from the New Hollywood movement. In 1997, it was chosen for preservation by the National Film Registry. The American Film Institute (AFI) has also recognized its importance, including it on lists honoring both comedy and romance – it ranked at number 45 on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Laughs and number 69 on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Passions. In 2008, AFI even named Harold & Maude one of the top ten greatest romantic comedies of all time.

In 1979, a near-fatal car accident significantly impacted Cort’s career. He suffered a broken arm and leg, a fractured skull, and severe facial injuries, including a severely lacerated face and a nearly severed lower lip. The accident required plastic surgery and resulted in substantial medical expenses. Despite this, Cort continued to work, appearing in small roles in popular films like Dogma, But I’m a Cheerleader, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He also lent his voice to the DC Comics villain Toyman in several animated series, including Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock, and Justice League Unlimited.

I’m such a huge fan of Cort! He really made his mark on cinema, appearing in three films from the 70s that I think people will still be watching and loving for years to come. And it’s not just that – he also voiced a fantastic villain in a really popular version of the DC Universe. Plus, he got to work with some amazing directors like Robert Altman, Hal Ashby, Kevin Smith, Jamie Babbit, and Wes Anderson! It just shows what a talented and versatile actor he was, and he truly lived a great life.

Rest in Peace, Bud Cort.

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Mar. 29, 1948 to Feb. 11, 2026.

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2026-02-12 23:48