Gerrit Graham, the versatile actor, screenwriter and songwriter known for his memorable roles in film and television and his collaboration with The Grateful Dead, has died at 77.
Graham died Tuesday in Rhinebeck, New York. He had been suffering from lung disease and other health complications.
His career began with appearances alongside a young Robert De Niro in Brian De Palma’s Greetings and Hi, Mom! He went on to build an eclectic résumé that included films such as Demon Seed, Pretty Baby, Child’s Play 2 and National Lampoon’s Class Reunion.
Graham was especially memorable as Beef, the flamboyant glam rocker in De Palma’s cult classic Phantom of the Paradise. He also appeared as a sleazy used-car salesman in Robert Zemeckis’ Used Cars. His talent for impressions and accents made him a familiar face on television, with appearances on Seinfeld, Laverne & Shirley, The Wonder Years, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.
Beyond acting, Graham was an accomplished writer and songwriter. He worked on projects including Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Oliver & Company, as well as episodes of The Twilight Zone. Alongside his brother Chris Hubbell, he co-wrote Disney’s adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper.
Graham also collaborated with Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead, co-writing “Victim or the Crime,” which the band recorded for its 1989 album Built to Last. The song was later performed by Weir and Rob Wasserman on their 1998 live album.
Born in New York City to John and Janet Graham, he later lived in Missouri and Michigan before his family settled in Chicago. He married Deborah in 1982, and they had two children. Graham spent the final three decades of his life in Rhinebeck, where he was also involved with the Burger Hill Preservation Society.
He is survived by his brother Sam; his sons, Jack and Henry, and their wives, Talia and Joelle; and four grandchildren, Nolan, Micah, Vera and Joey.
A distinctive performer, writer and musician, Gerrit Graham leaves behind a body of work that crossed film, television and music—and a legacy remembered by fans of some truly unforgettable cult classics.
