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Key moments and achievements from Bud Cort's life.
Bud was born
· Connecticut, U.S.
Film Role
Also in 1970, Cort played the title role in Robert Altman's Brewster McCloud, a surreal dark comedy about a young man who lives in the Houston Astrodome and dreams of flying. The film showcased Cort's unique ability to portray eccentric, vulnerable characters and deepened his collaboration with Altman.
Film Role
Also in 1970, Cort played the title role in Robert Altman's Brewster McCloud, a surreal dark comedy about a young man who lives in the Houston Astrodome and dreams of flying. The film showcased Cort's unique ability to portray eccentric, vulnerable characters and deepened his collaboration with Altman.
Iconic Film Role
In 1971, Cort starred alongside Ruth Gordon in Hal Ashby's Harold and Maude, playing a death-obsessed young man who falls in love with a 79-year-old woman. Though initially a box office disappointment, the film became one of the most beloved cult classics in cinema history, with Cort's performance defining his career and earning enduring devotion from audiences worldwide.
Iconic Film Role
In 1971, Cort starred alongside Ruth Gordon in Hal Ashby's Harold and Maude, playing a death-obsessed young man who falls in love with a 79-year-old woman. Though initially a box office disappointment, the film became one of the most beloved cult classics in cinema history, with Cort's performance defining his career and earning enduring devotion from audiences worldwide.
Award Nomination
For his work in Harold and Maude, Cort received a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. These nominations recognized the remarkable depth and sensitivity he brought to the role of Harold Chasen.
Award Nomination
For his work in Harold and Maude, Cort received a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. These nominations recognized the remarkable depth and sensitivity he brought to the role of Harold Chasen.
Voice Role
Cort provided the voice of Edgar, the sentient computer, in the 1984 romantic science fiction film Electric Dreams. The film, which explored themes of technology and love, showcased Cort's versatility as a performer and his distinctive voice work, adding another memorable character to his filmography.
Voice Role
Cort provided the voice of Edgar, the sentient computer, in the 1984 romantic science fiction film Electric Dreams. The film, which explored themes of technology and love, showcased Cort's versatility as a performer and his distinctive voice work, adding another memorable character to his filmography.
Career Resurgence
Cort continued to work steadily in film, appearing in Michael Mann's Heat (1995), Kevin Smith's Dogma (1999), and Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). These roles demonstrated his enduring appeal to acclaimed directors and his ability to bring memorable intensity to supporting characters.
Career Resurgence
Cort continued to work steadily in film, appearing in Michael Mann's Heat (1995), Kevin Smith's Dogma (1999), and Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). These roles demonstrated his enduring appeal to acclaimed directors and his ability to bring memorable intensity to supporting characters.
Bud Cort was discovered by director Robert Altman while performing in a revue, leading Altman to cast him in two films released in 1970: the Korean War dark comedy 'M*A*S*H,' in which Cort played Private Boone, and 'Brewster McCloud,' in which he starred in the title role. These early Altman collaborations established Cort's screen persona as an offbeat, counterculture figure and paved the way for his defining performance the following year as the death-obsessed young man Harold in Hal Ashby's cult classic 'Harold and Maude' (1971). Although 'Harold and Maude' was not a major box-office success on release, it became one of the most celebrated cult films in American cinema history and was ranked by the American Film Institute among its 100 Best Romantic Comedies. Cort died of pneumonia on February 11, 2026, at an assisted living facility in Norwalk, Connecticut, at the age of 77.
Bud Cort was discovered by director Robert Altman while performing in a revue, leading Altman to cast him in two films released in 1970: the Korean War dark comedy 'M*A*S*H,' in which Cort played Private Boone, and 'Brewster McCloud,' in which he starred in the title role. These early Altman collaborations established Cort's screen persona as an offbeat, counterculture figure and paved the way for his defining performance the following year as the death-obsessed young man Harold in Hal Ashby's cult classic 'Harold and Maude' (1971). Although 'Harold and Maude' was not a major box-office success on release, it became one of the most celebrated cult films in American cinema history and was ranked by the American Film Institute among its 100 Best Romantic Comedies. Cort died of pneumonia on February 11, 2026, at an assisted living facility in Norwalk, Connecticut, at the age of 77.
Bud Cort passed away
