Bud Cort, who found fame through his role in Harold & Maude in the early 1970s and also made appearances on Ugly Betty, has died at the age of 77 following an illness
21:09, 12 Feb 2026Updated 21:12, 12 Feb 2026
Bud Cort has died at the age of 77(Image: WireImage)
Bud Cort has died at the age of 77. The actor famously starred opposite Ruth Gordon in the 1971 film Harold & Maude, which went on to become a cult classic.
Dorian Hannaway, a writer and producer, who was also a close friend, said he passed after “a long illness,” according to the BBC. It’s thought that the star died at home in Connecticut, but reports claim that a memorial service will be held in Los Angeles.
Over the years, the actor, who was nominated for a slew of awards throughout his lengthy career, also made appearances in Ugly Betty, the noughties series that made a star out of America Ferrera, and the 2001 comedy film Coyote Ugly, which featured Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia.
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He starred in the 1971 cult classic Harold and Maude opposite Ruth Gordon
Bud is survived by his brother Joseph Cox and his sister-in-law Vickie, as well as his nieces. Actress Roslyn Kind, the sister of showbiz legend Barbra Streisand, was one of the first to pay tribute to her friend. In a statement, she recalled how they had bonded over their love of entertainment together during their schooldays.
She said: “I was only fourteen when I met Bud at the backstage door at my sister’s play. He was majoring in art at the time in high school. We became close friends who shared our interest in entertainment.
“When I got married, Bud and our songwriter friend, Bruce Roberts, wrote a special song that was performed at the ceremony. His unique spirit will always be with me!”
The star also appeared in Ugly Betty and Coyote Ugly throughout his lengthy showbiz career (Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Cort was born Walter Edward Cox, but changed his name when he entered the industry in order to avoid confusion with Wally Cox, an actor known for appearing opposite close friend Marlon Brando at the time. In 1970, Cort was discovered by Robert Altman, and he was cast in M*A*S*H and then took the title role in Brewster McCloud.
In 1971, he landed what would become his signature role as a suicide-obsessed teenager in Harold & Maude, who changes his ways when he becomes friends with an elderly Holocaust survivor. The film was not immediately well-received, but in 2012, Cort admitted that he always knew it would go to achieve classic status.
He told TrainWreckdSociety at the time: “As I was reading the script, I immediately knew it was going to be a classic film for the ages. There was no denying it.
“The studio was stumped on how to publicise it. The art for newspapers and theatre posters was plain black, block lettering on an empty background; it was more appropriate for The Ten Commandments!
“Truthfully, its success came from the people. The ground swell of word of mouth dropkicked it over so many goalposts both here and abroad- that Paramount had to re-release it.”
Cort went on to appear in an episode of Criminal Minds, and then had a minor role in Eagleheart in 2012. His final credit came in the form of a voice role, when he took on the part of The King in The Little Price, which also featured Paul Rudd, Ricky Gervais and Mean Girls star Rachel McAdams amongst a host of others.
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