Old Memories

From Brush with Groucho to Hollywood Stardom: The Day Bud Cort Was Mistaken for Charles Manson

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From Brush with Groucho to Hollywood Stardom: The Day Bud Cort Was Mistaken for Charles Manson

Bud Cort, describing the first time he met Groucho Marx: “I had just gotten off the plane from New York City, and I had hair down to my shoulders and a beard. I took a cab up to his house in Bel-Air, and the minute my fist connected with the door, the door opened, and there stood Groucho. He looked at me, his mouth flew open, he gasped and he slammed the door in my face. [Another guest, who knew Bud, opened the door and brought Bud in to introduce him to Groucho]. Groucho said, ‘I’m sorry. I thought you were Charles Manson’.”

On Marx: “He was definitely one of my heroes. He inspired me so, still does. He gave me a lot of love, something I’ll cherish forever. He also gave me his tooth, but that’s another story.”
Cort lived as a house guest for many years with his dear friend Groucho Marx. He also was close friends with Orson Welles and Ruth Gordon, his co-star in “Harold and Maude” (1971)

When considering the role of Harold in “Harold and Maude” (1971), Cort asked the opinion of director Robert Altman, his mentor. Altman cautioned that rising star Cort might find himself forever typecast. For this reason, Cort turned down the role of Billy Bibbit in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975).

According to Ruth Gordon’s autobiography, a number of other actresses were considered and interviewed by director Hal Ashby for the role of Maude, including Edith Evans, Mildred Dunnock, Mildred Natwick, Gladys Cooper, Peggy Ashcroft, Elisabeth Bergner, Edwige Feuillère and Dorothy Stickney. Cort wanted Greta Garbo to play the part of Maude.

“Harold and Maude” played for a total of 1,957 showings from mid-1972 until June 1974 at the Westgate Theater in Edina, Minnesota. Gordon appeared for the first anniversary celebration and both Gordon and Cort showed up for the second anniversary. (IMDb)