"Eternal Harold, Gone to Maude"... Bud Cort Passes Away at 77

The timid boy obsessed with death, 'Harold', has found eternal rest after 55 years. The actor Bud Cort, who left a mark on cinephiles worldwide with the 1971 black comedy masterpiece 'Harold and Maude', has passed away.

On the 12th (Korean time), foreign media including The Hollywood Reporter reported, citing Dorian Hanaway, a long-time friend and producer of Bud Cort, that he died from pneumonia complications at a nursing facility in Norwalk, Connecticut on the 11th. He was 77 years old.

◆ The Boy Who Became the King of Cult

Born in 1948 in New York, he made his debut in Robert Altman's 'M*A*S*H' (1970). What changed his life was 'Harold and Maude' directed by Hal Ashby. In his twenties at the time, he played the role of Harold, a wealthy young man who longs for death, and showcased a shocking performance by falling in love with the vibrant 79-year-old Maude, played by Ruth Gordon. This film, accompanied by the classic songs of Cat Stevens, was initially overlooked upon release but later became a legend in midnight screenings, becoming synonymous with 'cult classic'.

◆ A Career Stained by Accident and a Comeback

However, his acting career was not smooth. A horrific car accident on the Hollywood Freeway in 1979 took away his prime. He had to undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries due to skull fractures and severe facial lacerations, and the resulting long hiatus and lawsuit losses pushed him to the brink financially and mentally.

But Bud Cort did not give up. He returned to the screen with 'Dogma' in 1999 and Wes Anderson's 'Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' in 2004, and particularly left his mark as a voice actor portraying the villain 'Toyman' in the 'Superman' animated series.

He is survived by his brother Joseph and three sisters, and a memorial service is set to be held in Los Angeles. Fans are mourning on social media, saying, "Harold has finally met Maude again."