Bud Cort, best known for his iconic role in the cult favorite “Harold and Maude,” passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at an assisted living center in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was 77. His friend and producer Dorian Hannaway confirmed that he died from pneumonia-related complications following a prolonged illness.
Born Walter Edward Cox on March 29, 1948, in New Rochelle, New York, Cort was raised in nearby Rye and developed a deep love for theater early in life. He briefly attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and trained with the legendary Stella Adler before beginning his professional acting journey. As a teenager, he would slip away to Manhattan to watch Broadway matinees, waiting by stage doors hoping to spot Barbra Streisand after performances of “Funny Girl.”
“Bud Cort was a natural talent—an actor and theater devotee with a true gift from a young age,” Hannaway told The Hollywood Reporter.
Cort’s career took off in 1970 when director Robert Altman discovered him, giving him roles in both “M*A*S*H” and the starring part in “Brewster McCloud.” But it was his portrayal of Harold in Hal Ashby’s 1971 dark comedy “Harold and Maude” that secured his place in film history.
In the movie, Cort played a morbidly fascinated young man who forms an unexpected romantic bond with Ruth Gordon’s Maude, a lively 79-year-old Holocaust survivor. Initially, critics and audiences dismissed the film—Paramount scarcely marketed it, releasing stark black-and-white posters reminiscent of “The Ten Commandments.” Over time, however, the movie became a cherished cult classic, eventually earning the ninth spot on the American Film Institute’s list of the top 10 romantic comedies.
The role brought Cort a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy and a BAFTA nod for Most Promising Newcomer. Yet he often referred to the part as both “a blessing and a curse.” Frequently typecast in eccentric roles, Cort declined opportunities such as Billy Bibbit in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”—he didn’t want to “play crazy.” The film went on to win five Oscars, with Brad Dourif taking the role he refused.
In 1979, Cort was severely injured in a major car accident on the Hollywood Freeway after crashing into an abandoned vehicle. He suffered a fractured skull, broken limbs, and deep facial wounds that required numerous reconstructive surgeries. His career was sidelined for years, and by the time he healed, Hollywood had shifted from quirky ’70s films to blockbuster franchises.
Still, Cort continued to work consistently for five decades, appearing in over 80 movies and television productions. His filmography ranged from “Electric Dreams” (1984) and Kevin Smith’s “Dogma” (1999)—in which he memorably played a homeless man in a coma who is revealed to be God—to Ed Harris’s “Pollock” (2000) and Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” (2004). He also made standout TV appearances on shows such as “Ugly Betty,” “Criminal Minds,” “Arrested Development,” and “Columbo.”
Cort also developed a notable career in voice acting, especially for his recurring role as Toyman across multiple DC Animated Universe series including “Superman: The Animated Series,” “Static Shock,” and “Justice League Unlimited.” His final credited performance was as The King in the 2015 animated film “The Little Prince.”
Beyond screen work, Cort co-founded LA Classic Theatre Works with fellow actors Richard Dreyfuss and Rene Auberjonois, reflecting his lasting devotion to live theater. In 1991, he wrote, directed, and starred in the dark comedy “Ted and Venus.”
Filmmaker Edgar Wright honored Cort, calling him “a captivating presence in every film fortunate enough to feature him.” Wright described his performance in “Harold and Maude” as “a perfectly tuned black comedy-meets-love story that endures through generations.”
Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), who created the “Harold and Maude” soundtrack, wrote: “May God the Most Merciful forgive and bless the soul of our dear friend Bud Cort… who played the part of Harold in our lives.”
Cort never married and had no children. He is survived by his brother Joseph Cox, sister-in-law Vickie, and his nieces. A memorial to honor his life and work will be held at a future date.
