Bud Cort, best known for role in 'Harold and Maude,' dies at 77

Actor Bud Cort, best known for his role in the 1971 film "Harold and Maude," has died. He was 77.

Dorian Hannaway, television producer and friend to Cort, confirmed to KABC's George Pennacchio that he died Wednesday in Connecticut after a long illness. Additional details about that illness were not available.

Cort's career surged in 1970 with a small "M*A*S*H" and the title role in "Brewster McCloud" -- before he landed his role in "Harold and Maude" opposite Ruth Gordon. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in the film, which the American Film Institute named as one of the funniest films of all time.

Other movies in his acting career include "But I'm A Cheerleader," "Heat," "Dogma," "Coyote Ugly" and "Pollock."