Bud Cort, the actor best known for his role in the 1971 film ‘Harold and Maude,’ died on February 11, 2026 in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was 77. His family confirmed that he died from complications of pneumonia at an assisted-living facility. Cort rose to prominence playing Harold Chasen, a death-obsessed teenager who forms a romantic bond with a 79-year-old woman, Maude, portrayed by Ruth Gordon in the Hal Ashby-directed film.
Though ‘Harold and Maude’ was met with mixed reviews upon its initial release, it grew into a cult classic throughout the 1970s, particularly on college campuses. Cort received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for his performance. The film was later selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Cort spoke candidly about being strongly associated with the role, noting that it shaped both opportunities and limitations in his career.
Born Walter Edward Cox on March 29, 1948, in Rye, New York, Cort began his career with small roles before being cast by director Robert Altman in ‘MAS*H’ and ‘Brewster McCloud.’ Over the years, he appeared in more than 40 films, including ‘Heat,’ ‘Dogma,’ and ‘The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.’ He also directed and co-wrote the 1991 film ‘Ted & Venus.’
Cort’s television work included appearances on ‘Arrested Development,’ ‘Ugly Betty,’ and ‘Criminal Minds,’ as well as voice roles in ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ ‘Superman: The Animated Series,’ and ‘Justice League Unlimited.’ In 1979, he was seriously injured in a car accident that required multiple surgeries and interrupted his career. He is survived by his siblings and extended family, and a memorial is planned for a later date in Los Angeles.