Gerrit Graham, a character actor whose career spanned cult film, television and genre cinema, has died at the age of 76, according to Deadline. The Daily Mirror reports that he died surrounded by family, and that tributes have since been paid to him.
Graham was best known for his work in Phantom of the Paradise, the 1974 Brian De Palma film, and for appearances in the Star Trek franchise. Variety notes that he was also a screenwriter and a collaborator with the Grateful Dead. Gizmodo, in its own tribute, highlighted his role in Child's Play 2.
The Daily Star described him as a "beloved" Star Trek actor who worked alongside Robert De Niro during his career. Across the coverage, outlets have framed Graham as a cult figure — an actor whose distinctive presence in offbeat films earned him a dedicated following rather than mainstream stardom.
Details of his life and career are still being filled in by the outlets reporting his death, and the accounts differ slightly on his age, with Deadline listing him at 76 and Variety at 77. No cause of death has been given in the material available.
Tributes from colleagues and fans are expected to continue in the coming days, and further obituaries and remembrances are likely to follow.