Gerrit Graham, Actor in Phantom of the Paradise and Used Cars, Dies at 77
Character actor Gerrit Graham, known for playing Beef in Phantom of the Paradise and appearing across dozens of films and television series, died Tuesday in Rhinebeck, New York.
Early career and De Palma collaborations
Born on 27 November 1949 in New York City to parents John and Janet, Gerrit Graham grew up in Missouri, Michigan, and Chicago. He studied at Columbia University, where he managed the Columbia Players theater company and connected with filmmaker Brian De Palma. Graham made his feature film debut in De Palma's 1968 production Greetings, appearing alongside Robert De Niro as a conspiracy theorist. He returned to collaborate with De Palma and De Niro in the 1970 sequel Hi, Mom!, followed by later De Palma projects including Home Movies in 1979.
Cult cinema and character roles
Graham gained widespread recognition in cult cinema for his portrayal of the glam rock performer Beef in De Palma's 1974 horror musical Phantom of the Paradise. In the film, his character arrives out of a coffin and later meets his demise in a shower scene. Filmmaker Edgar Wright praised Graham's work in the production on social media following the announcement.
He's a constant joy, from his unforgettable line readings to those insane dance moves. It's a joyously outrageous performance in a film that raises the roof with its sheer energy. If you haven't yet discovered this solid-gold cult classic, I urge you to pay tribute at the altar of Beef as soon as you can.
Beyond De Palma's work, Graham played a scheming salesman in Robert Zemeckis's 1980 comedy Used Cars opposite Kurt Russell, and a computer nerd in Demon Seed in 1977. His extensive film catalog also included Cannonball! in 1976, Louis Malle's Pretty Baby in 1978, National Lampoon's Class Reunion in 1982, Chopping Mall and TerrorVision in 1986, The Search for Animal Chin in 1987, C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. in 1989, and the foster father Phil Simpson in Child's Play 2 in 1990.
- Makes onscreen acting debut in Brian De Palma's Greetings alongside Robert De Niro
- Plays glam rocker Beef in Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise
- Co-stars as a scheming car salesman in Robert Zemeckis's Used Cars
- Writes teleplays for the television revival of The Twilight Zone
- Co-writes the song Victim or the Crime on the Grateful Dead album Built to Last
- Portrays foster father Phil Simpson in the horror sequel Child's Play 2
Television and screenwriting
Graham maintained a prolific career across television, appearing in guest roles on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. He portrayed a ruthless associate to Carter McKay on the prime-time drama Dallas from 1988 to 1989 and provided the voice of Franklin Sherman on the animated series The Critic from 1994 to 1995. His episodic credits spanned dozens of programs, including Seinfeld, Laverne & Shirley, The Wonder Years, Family Matters, Babylon 5, Starsky & Hutch, and Miami Vice.
Graham also worked as a screenwriter, contributing teleplays to the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone between 1985 and 1986. For Walt Disney Feature Animation, he contributed to the writing of Oliver & Company in 1988 and The Little Mermaid in 1989. He subsequently co-wrote the 1990 animated featurette The Prince and the Pauper with his brother Sam and Chris Hubbell.
Music collaboration and personal life
In music, Graham formed a friendship in the 1970s with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and co-wrote the track "Victim or the Crime". The song was included on the band's 1989 studio release Built to Last, with Graham providing the opening line, "Patience runs out on the junkie". The track later appeared on Weir and Rob Wasserman's 1998 live album.
Graham resided in Rhinebeck, New York, for the final 30 years of his life, where he participated in the Burger Hill Preservation Society after caring for his mother in California. He died on Tuesday in Rhinebeck from lung disease and associated health complications at age 77, with one source reporting his age as 76. He is survived by his wife Deborah, whom he married in 1982, his brother Sam, two sons, Jack and Henry, their spouses, and four grandchildren.
