‘Harold And Maude’ star Bud Cort dies, aged 77

Bud Cort, best known for his role in Harold And Maude, has died aged 77.

The veteran actor appeared in over 80 films and television series across his 60 years in the industry, and first gained worldwide recognition for his role in the 1971 cult classic – in which he played a young, pessimistic Harold who falls for an elderly woman who is obsessed with life, Maude.

While the film was not a success at the box office when it was first released, it did earn Cort nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs, and also went on to gain later traction, becoming a fan favourite over the five decades since.

News of Cort’s passing was shared by close friend, writer and producer Dorian Hannaway. He said that the actor died aged 77 following “a long illness”.

He also described him as a “passionate theatregoer”, and recalled instances of him sneaking off to Manhattan to go to Broadway, and waiting by a backstage door with the hopes of seeing Barbra Streisand after a performance of Funny Girl.

May God the Most Merciful forgive and bless the soul of our great friend Bud Cort… who played the part of Harold in our lives #Peace #BudCort #HaroldAndMaude pic.twitter.com/2iN0isoitL

— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) February 12, 2026

Yusuf/Cat Stevens soundtracked Harold And Maude, and paid tribute to Cort following news of his death, writing: “May God the Most Merciful forgive and bless the soul of our great friend Bud Cort… who played the part of Harold in our lives”.

Other tributes came from Edgar Wright, who described Cort as “a welcome and magnetic presence in every film lucky enough to have him”, and from musician Anamanaguchi, who shared: “There is so much to say about how special, strange, and wonderful he was—and the effect that had on me as a young person interested in art.

“In his ability to remain himself in the face of a world of vanity, illusions, temptations to conformity and subservience, he helped me to see possibilities others don’t. His charm, kindness and view of the world were a light in any room he entered. He was a faithful man too. And very funny, of course”. Find more tributes below.

RIP Bud Cort.

— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) February 11, 2026

A very sad, but extremely fond farewell to the unforgettable Bud Cort, a welcome and magnetic presence in every film lucky enough to have him, not least the co-lead in, arguably, the cult film to rule them all; 1971’s ‘Harold And Maude’.

Not only is this beloved film a pitch… pic.twitter.com/eBG7FBKBnT

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) February 12, 2026

"Ever since Harold and Maude, people have generally regarded me as an arbiter of weirdness. So I'll tell you what I find weird. I find malice, violent and poverty weird." – Bud Cort

My uncle Bud passed away this morning.

There is so much to say about how special, strange, and… pic.twitter.com/IYiNv6qUGf

— Anamanaguchi (@Anamanaguchi) February 11, 2026

So long Bud Cort who has passed away at age 73.

Bud is known to most as Harold in Harold in Maude. One of the best dark comedies of all time.

He was one of those actors who always added his own style of quirkiness to any role. I simply love this film. pic.twitter.com/YtqHPGmAzw

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) February 11, 2026

if any of you guys somehow still haven’t seen Harold and Maude u absolutely have to watch it as soon as you can, RIP Bud Cort pic.twitter.com/n5AMJMxDwA

— Jared Gilman (@realJaredGilman) February 11, 2026

Cort was born in 1948 in New Rochelle, New York, and after finding an interest in acting while at school, moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the arts during the 1960s.

One of his early roles included a small spot in the 1970 M*A*S*H film, and he went on to also get parts in movies including Heat, Invaders from Mars, Brewster McCloud, and Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic.

Television roles he landed over the years included parts on series including Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, and Arrested Development.