Gerrit Graham Dead: ‘Phantom of the Paradise’ Actor Was 76
Gerrit Graham, the actor known for roles in Phantom of the Paradise (1974) and Star Trek, has died. He was 76.
The actor died of lung disease and other health complications on Tuesday in Rhinebeck, NY, according to Variety.
Born Nov. 27, 1949 in New York City, Graham trained at Columbia University, where he was head of the school’s Columbia Players theater company. He made his onscreen debut in Brian De Palma’s 1968 sophomore feature Greetings.
Graham was most known for his performance as glam rocker Beef in De Palma’s 1974 rock musical horror Phantom of the Paradise. He also played separate roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.
Over the years, Graham had roles in such films as Beware! The Blob (1972), Demon Seed (1977), Used Cars (1980), National Lampoon’s Class Reunion (1982), TerrorVision (1986), Chopping Mall (1986), Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989), C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. (1989), The Little Mermaid (1989), Child’s Play 2 (1990), This Boy’s Life (1993), My Girl 2 (1994) and more.
On TV, Graham appeared in episodes of Dynasty, Starsky & Hutch, Laverne & Shirley, The A-Team, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Twilight Zone, St. Elsewhere, Miami Vice, Dallas, Tales from the Crypt, The Wonder Years, Seinfeld, Family Matters, Babylon 5, Law & Order and more.
Also a writer, Graham penned two episodes of The Twilight Zone and wrote songs with the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir.
