Veteran actor, screenwriter and songwriter Gerrit Graham has died at 77. Graham died on Tuesday in Rhinebeck, New York in an assisted living facility, his ex-wife, Dede Taylor confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
He was suffering from lung disease and other health complications, according to Variety.
Graham, the interesting character actor, had appeared in Phantom of the Paradise and three other early films for Brian De Palma. He also wrote the Grateful Dead song “Victim or the Crime” with Bob Weir.
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Gerrit Graham’s cause of death
According to Variety, Graham died after battling lung disease, along with other age-related ailments. No additional medical details were immediately disclosed.
Dede Taylor also told The Hollywood Reporter that Graham died of the complications from the lung disease.
Graham had largely stepped away from Hollywood in later years. He moved from California to Rhinebeck, New York, to care for his mother and spent nearly three decades in the Hudson Valley, where he volunteered for the Burger Hill Preservation Society.
{{/usCountry}}Graham had largely stepped away from Hollywood in later years. He moved from California to Rhinebeck, New York, to care for his mother and spent nearly three decades in the Hudson Valley, where he volunteered for the Burger Hill Preservation Society.
{{/usCountry}}Graham was born in New York on November 27, 1948, and grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, St. Louis, and Chicago before enrolling at Columbia University a few years after De Palma's graduation. The two were in charge of the Columbia Players, the school's theater group.
He married Deborah Cooper in 1982, and the couple had two children.
Graham is survived by his four grandkids, Nolan, Micah, Vera, and Joey; his brother, Sam; and his sons, Jack and Henry, along with their wives, Talia and Joelle.
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From Brian De Palma films to Grateful Dead collaboration
Graham launched his screen career alongside Robert De Niro in Brian De Palma’s early films Greetings (1968) and Hi, Mom! (1970). This established a long creative relationship with the acclaimed filmmaker.
One of his most celebrated performances came in De Palma’s 1974 cult musical Phantom of the Paradise, where he played flamboyant rock singer Beef. The character remains one of the film’s most iconic figures and has earned a devoted following over the decades.
Graham later appeared in several notable films such as Demon Seed, Pretty Baby, National Lampoon’s Class Reunion, Used Cars and Child’s Play 2.
Television audiences also saw him in popular series such as Seinfeld, Laverne & Shirley, The Wonder Years, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager as guest appearance.
Away from acting, Graham built an equally varied career as a screenwriter.
He contributed to projects including The Little Mermaid, Oliver & Company and episodes of The Twilight Zone. He also co-wrote Disney’s adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper with his brother Sam Graham and writer Chris Hubbell.
His work extended into music as well.
Graham collaborated with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead to co-write “Victim or the Crime,” which appeared on the band’s 1989 album Built to Last. The song was later re-recorded by Weir and bassist Rob Wasserman for their 1998 live album.