Gerrit Graham, Actor in ‘Phantom of the Paradise,’ ‘Pretty Baby’ and ‘Used Cars,’ Dies at 77
He also came up with “Patience runs out on the junkie,” the first line in the Bob Weir/Grateful Dead song “Victim or the Crime.”
Gerrit Graham, the recognizable character actor who appeared in films like The Phantom of the Paradise and The Critic, as well as TV shows such as Seinfeld and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, has passed away at the age of 77. Born on November 27, 1949, in New York City, Graham grew up in the Midwest before settling in Chicago. He began his acting career on stage at the age of eight and later studied at Columbia University.
It was there that he met director Brian De Palma, who cast him in his early films such as Greetings, Home Movies, and Hi, Mom! Graham's breakthrough role came in 1974 when he portrayed the character Beef in Brian De Palma's The Phantom of the Paradise. Originally hired to play the antagonist Swan, he took over the part after the original actor stepped aside.
Throughout his four-decade career, Graham acted in a variety of genres, including horror films like Child’s Play 2 and cult classics like Chopping Mall and C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud. He also guest-starred on popular TV shows such as Baretta, Starsky and Hutch, and Laverne and Shirley. Aside from his acting, Graham was an accomplished writer, contributing additional dialogue for films such as The Little Mermaid and Grateful Dead songs.
He also wrote lyrics for the band. Graham is survived by his brother Sam, sons Jack and Henry, and four grandchildren.
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