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'Phantom of the Paradise' Actor Gerrit Graham Dead at 76

Graham also wrote for film and television and co-wrote a Grateful Dead song recorded on the band’s 1989 album.

  • Actor Gerrit Graham, 77, died Tuesday in Rhinebeck, New York, from lung disease and other health complications. Graham gained cult status for portraying glam rocker Beef in 'Phantom of the Paradise' and co-writing the Grateful Dead song 'Victim or the Crime.'
  • Variety reported Graham suffered from lung disease and other health complications. He launched his career in the late 1960s alongside Robert De Niro in early films by director Brian De Palma, establishing his foundation in cult cinema.
  • Beyond his iconic Beef role, Graham wrote screenplays including Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Oliver & Company.' He co-wrote 'Victim or the Crime' with Bob Weir, recorded on the Grateful Dead's 1989 album 'Built to Last.'
  • Director Edgar Wright eulogized Graham on Instagram, calling his performance 'simply off-the-charts amazing' and 'a constant joy.' Graham is survived by his wife, Deborah, two sons, Jack and Henry, and four grandchildren.
  • Graham's prolific career extended across television, with appearances in 'Seinfeld' and 'Star Trek: Voyager.' His diverse work spanned decades, blending acting, screenwriting, and songwriting across horror, comedy, and animated entertainment genres.
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The actor, screenwriter and composer died at age 77 in New York City after suffering from lung disease and other health complications

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At the age of 76, American actor Gerrit Graham has died. He was the star of Brian De Palma's first films and appeared in two Children's Plays and two Startrek series.

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Variety broke the news in Los Angeles, United States on Friday, September 18, 2026.
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