Harold & Maude Star Bud Cort Dies at 77

Famed actor Bud Cort’s death at the age of 77 has left fans and industry members heartbroken. Renowned for the 1971 cult classic Harold and Maude, he had a six-decade-long career in Hollywood, mostly noted for his unorthodox acting style.

Dorian Hannaway reveals Bud Cort died after battling ‘a long illness’

The veteran film and TV thespian passed away at the age of 77 in Connecticut.

Writer and producer Dorian Hannaway, a close friend of Bud Cort’s, divulged that he died from “a long illness” (via The Hollywood Reporter). She also remembered the actor as a “passionate theatregoer,” who avidly watched Broadway performances in Manhattan. “Bud Cort was a savant at acting, at theater, and he was blessed with a passion for this as a young man, as he loved art,” she added.

Moreover, per The New York Times, a family representative stated that he passed away from pneumonia-related complications at an assisted living facility.

Born Walter Edward Cox, Cort appeared in more than 40 films and television roles in his long career. This includes the iconic Wes Anderson film, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Among all of Cort’s roles, he perhaps gained the most recognition as a young, death-obsessed Harold who falls in love with Maude in the cult classic Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude (1977).

The film was initially a critical and commercial flop, but gained traction over the years, becoming instantly recognizable. However, Cort’s performance earned him nominations for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.

Meanwhile, director Edgar Wright, known for his works like Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz, also paid tribute to the late Cort. “Not only is this beloved film a pitch-perfect black comedy-cum-love story for the ages, but Bud Cort delivers one of the greatest looks to camera in film,” he said about the late actor’s performance in Harold and Maude (via BBC).

Bud Cort’s other notable TV and movie appearances include MAS*H (1970), Brewster McCloud (1970), Electric Dreams (1984), Heat (1995), Dogma (1999), and Coyote Ugly (2000).

Source: Comingsoon.net