Who was Bud Cort? Iconic ‘Harold and Maude’ Actor, passes away at 77

Bud Cort, widely recognized for his role as Harold in the 1971 cult classic Harold and Maude, has passed away at 77. Variety reports that he passed away in Connecticut following a long illness. though the cause of death has yet been revealed.

Who Was Bud Cort and How Did He Begin Acting?

Born Walter Edward Cox on March 29, 1948, in Rye, New York, Cort adopted the stage name Bud Cort to distinguish himself from fellow actor Wally Cox. He was discovered by director Robert Altman, who cast him in two movies in 1970: the war satire MASH* and Brewster McCloud. In the latter, a 22-year-old Cort portrayed a reclusive teenager residing in a fallout shelter beneath the Houston Astrodome.

What Made Harold and Maude So Iconic?

Cort’s defining character arrived in Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude, featuring a death-obsessed young man who develops an unlikely connection with a quirky older woman played by Ruth Gordon. He achieved nominations for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. Critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote: “Cort plays Harold as a sullen anarchist, adding a mischievous wink to his sickly, Victorian countenance. The delightful moment where he looks directly into the camera, following another of his ghoulish tricks, was improvised on the day.”

How Did a Serious Car Accident Affect His Career?

In 1979, Cort suffered a severe car accident on the Hollywood Freeway, colliding with an abandoned vehicle. The crash resulted with a broken arm and leg, a fractured skull, a concussion, and intense facial lacerations. Extensive plastic surgery and medical expenses interrupted his career, though he eventually made a comeback to acting.

What Were Some of Bud Cort’s Later Roles?

After recovering, Cort appeared in movies like Endgame, Dogma, Pollock, The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He also contributed voice work to animated series which includes Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock, and Justice League Unlimited.

How Did He Start on Screen?

Cort made his screen debut with an uncredited character in Up the Down Staircase (1969) and appeared on TV shows such as The Doctors, Room 222, and The Governor & J.J. However, his enduring fame is connected to Harold and Maude, which primarily underperformed but later became an internationally popular cult classic, ranked No. 69 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 Greatest Romantic Comedies.

FAQs:

Q1. Who was Bud Cort?
Bud Cort was an American actor popular for his role as Harold in Harold and Maude. He was celebrated for his quirky deadpan performances and cult film presence.

Q2. When was Bud Cort born?
He was born Walter Edward Cox on March 29, 1948, in Rye, New York. He later assumed the stage name Bud Cort to avoid confusion with another actor.