Connecticut was the final home for Bud Cort, the actor celebrated for his nuanced performance in the cult classic Harold and Maude, who died after a long illness at the age of 77, according to reports.
A Cult Icon’s Unexpected Journey
Bud Cort’s career spanned decades, marked by memorable roles and a lasting impact on independent cinema.
- Cort first gained recognition through collaborations with director Robert Altman.
- His portrayal of Harold in “Harold and Maude” garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following.
- The actor faced the challenges of typecasting following his breakthrough role.
- Cort continued to work steadily in film and television, showcasing his versatility.
Bud Cort’s career began with a fortunate discovery by Robert Altman, who spotted the young actor during a revue performance. Altman subsequently cast Cort in both M*A*S*H and Brewster McCloud, launching his career in the early 1970s.
What made “Harold and Maude” so enduring? The film, directed by Hal Ashby, saw Cort play Harold, a young man preoccupied with death who forms an unlikely bond with Maude, a vibrant 79-year-old Holocaust survivor portrayed by Ruth Gordon. His performance earned him nominations for both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award. Initially met with a lukewarm reception from critics and audiences, Harold and Maude blossomed into a beloved cult classic, eventually earning a place on the American Film Institute’s list of the funniest films ever made.
“As I was reading the script I immediately knew it was going to be a classic film for the ages,” Cort reflected in a 2012 interview. “There was no denying it. The studio was stumped on how to publicise it … Truthfully, its success came from the people.”
In 2014, Cort acknowledged the double-edged sword of his iconic role, telling one publication it was “a blessing and a curse.” He explained that the success of Harold and Maude led to being frequently typecast, with offers primarily for eccentric or “weirdo” characters. He even turned down the role of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, hoping for the lead, and later unsuccessfully attempted to reclaim the part after Jack Nicholson was cast.
The 1970s saw Cort continue to build his filmography with roles in the comedy-drama Why Shoot the Teacher? and a television adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Bernice Bobs Her Hair, alongside Shelley Duvall. However, his momentum was interrupted in 1979 by a serious car accident that resulted in a broken arm and leg, requiring extensive plastic surgery.
Cort persevered, returning to the screen in the 1980s with appearances in films like the Jamie Lee Curtis romance Love Letters and Tobe Hooper’s sci-fi horror Invaders from Mars. The following decade brought roles in Kevin Smith’s Dogma and the queer coming-of-age story But I’m a Cheerleader, before he appeared in films including Coyote Ugly, The Number 23, and Wes Anderson’s distinctive The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
His work extended to television, with appearances in series such as Ugly Betty, Criminal Minds, and Arrested Development. Cort also lent his voice to numerous animated projects, including Batman, The Mask, and Superman.
A second car accident in 2011, which nearly resulted in the loss of his arm, presented further challenges, making it difficult to secure work in the subsequent years.
