Actor Bud Cort, star of cult film 'Harold and Maude' has died, aged 77

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NME

The actor also appeared in Wes Anderson's 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou'
By Elizabeth Aubrey 12th February 2026

Actor Bud Cort, star of cult film Harold and Maude has died, aged 77.

The actor had his breakout role in the cult classic in 1971, where he starred alongside Ruth Gordon.

His death was confirmed by close friend Dorian Hannaway, a writer and producer who said Cort died following “a long illness” (as per the BBC).

Reports suggest the actor died at his home in Connecticut, while a memorial service is reportedly set to be held in Los Angeles.


Bud Cort - CREDIT: Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage via Getty Images

Read more: https://www.nme.com/news/film/actor-bud-cort-star-of-harold-and-maude-has-died-aged-77-3929212

[Brother Buzz]

1. I always loved the Jaguar hearse Harold constructed.

That, and Cat Steven’s’ soundtrack



IF you want to sing out, Harold, sing out

[JustinBulletin]

2. Loved Harold & Maude

My kind of humor. Great story.

[jmbar2]

3. Damn, makes me feel old...

I still think of him as a young actor. He was older than me. RIP - great movie.

[Skittles]

4. I often think of this scene with the endless news about Trump

what a cult classic

interesting note: Bud did not live as old as Maude in the movie (80) but his mum in the movie (Vivian Pickles ) is 94 and still going strong!

[chowder66]

5. .....

[FemDemERA]

6. RIP...

[summer_in_TX]

7. Harold and Maude was a favorite back when I was dating my husband.

Good God, just realized that was about 50 years ago. I hadn't quite realized we'd been together half a century. We're a year and a half out from that official anniversary.

Brings back good memories. One of many things we had in common was a love of absurdist movies, and that one was quite delightful.