Gerrit Graham
Gerrit Graham (born November 27, 1949) is an American stage, television, and film actor, as well as a screenwriter and songwriter, best known for his early collaborations with director Brian De Palma in films such as Greetings (1968), Hi, Mom! (1970), and the rock opera Phantom of the Paradise (1974). His distinctive hawk-nosed features and versatile character work have made him a memorable presence in cult comedies like Used Cars (1980), where he played the sleazy salesman Jeff, and horror-tinged projects including Demon Seed (1977) and TerrorVision (1986).[1] Born in New York City and raised partly in the Midwest, Graham made his acting debut at age eight in a stage production of Winnie the Pooh at the Detroit Art Institute around 1957. He attended The Groton School, where he served as president of the dramatic association circa 1962, and later briefly enrolled at Columbia University before dropping out to focus on performing. By his late teens, he joined the improvisational troupe The Second City in Chicago around 1968, which led to his film breakthrough with De Palma. Graham's television career spans decades, with guest roles in prominent series such as Dallas (as Fred Hughes), Miami Vice, The Wonder Years, Seinfeld, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (as the Hunter in "Captive Pursuit"), and Now and Again (as Roger Bender).[2] Beyond acting, he wrote additional dialogue for The Little Mermaid (1989) and co-wrote the screenplay for The Prince and the Pauper (1990), and worked as a rock music journalist for outlets including Rolling Stone and Creem.[3] As a songwriter, he co-wrote lyrics with Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir for tracks like "Victim of the Crime" on the band's 1989 album Built to Last.[2]Early life and education
Early life
Gerrit Graham was born on November 27, 1949, in New York City, to parents John MacDougall Graham and Janet Welldon.[4] Graham spent his childhood in multiple locations, including St. Louis, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; and Grosse Pointe, Michigan.[2] At age eight, he made his acting debut in a Detroit Art Institute stage production of Winnie the Pooh.[4] This early exposure to performing arts occurred during his time in the Detroit area.[4]Education
Graham attended the Groton School, a preparatory boarding school in Groton, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1966 after serving as president of the school's dramatic association.[5] Following high school, Graham enrolled at Columbia University in New York City in the late 1960s, immersing himself in the university's theater scene as the head and general manager of the Columbia Players, the primary student-run theater company.[4][6] His longstanding passion for acting, which had sparked at age eight with a debut in a stage production of Winnie the Pooh, ultimately prompted Graham to drop out of Columbia University to join Chicago's renowned Second City improvisation comedy troupe professionally.[2][7][8]Career
Acting career
Gerrit Graham began his acting career in theater as a child, making his stage debut at age eight in a Detroit Art Institute production of Winnie the Pooh. After attending the Groton School and briefly studying at Columbia University, where he served as general manager of the Columbia Players, he dropped out to join Chicago's Second City comedy troupe, gaining early professional experience in improvisational and ensemble performances. His stage credits soon expanded to include Paul Sills' Story Theatre and a lead role in Sam Shepard's Chicago, alongside off-off-Broadway productions, establishing his foundation in comedic and experimental theater before transitioning to film.[9] Graham's film debut came in 1968 as Lloyd, a Kennedy assassination theorist, in Brian De Palma's satirical anti-war comedy Greetings, marking the start of a frequent collaboration with the director. He reprised a similar milieu in De Palma's 1970 follow-up Hi, Mom!, portraying Dell alongside Robert De Niro, before taking on the flamboyant glam rocker Beef in the rock opera Phantom of the Paradise (1974). Additional De Palma projects included the role of Craig in the improvisational Home Movies (1979). His breakthrough in comedic supporting roles arrived with Used Cars (1980), directed by Robert Zemeckis, where he played the sleazy salesman Jeff Donahue opposite Kurt Russell, followed by the dim-witted Delos in the horror-comedy National Lampoon's Class Reunion (1982). Graham also ventured into sci-fi and horror, notably as the scientist Walter Gabler in Demon Seed (1977) and the ill-fated foster father Phil Simpson in Child's Play 2 (1990).[10][9][11][12] On television, Graham earned acclaim for voicing the bumbling millionaire Franklin Sherman in the animated series The Critic (1994–1995), providing a recurring highlight in his voice work. He appeared in two Star Trek series, first as the Hunter in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Captive Pursuit" (1993) and later as Quinn in Star Trek: Voyager's "Death Wish" (1996). In 2024, he appeared as himself in the documentary Doc of Chucky. Over a career spanning from 1968 to 2024, Graham cultivated a reputation as a versatile character actor specializing in eccentric, comedic supporting parts across film, television, and stage, often bringing a distinctive hawk-nosed intensity and wry humor to his portrayals.[13][9][14]Writing career
Gerrit Graham began his writing career in the mid-1980s with contributions to anthology television series, particularly the revival of The Twilight Zone. He co-wrote the teleplay for the episode "Still Life" (1985), directed by Peter Medak, which explores themes of reality and perception through a magical painting that mirrors the protagonists' lives. Similarly, Graham co-authored the story and teleplay for "Opening Day" (1985), a satirical tale of a prejudiced hunter who experiences karmic retribution by transforming into the animals he pursues, directed by John Milius. These episodes highlighted his skill in blending speculative elements with social commentary, often in a darkly humorous vein.[15] Although sources vary on the exact count, his credited Twilight Zone work established him as a versatile scriptwriter in genre television.[2] Transitioning to feature films, Graham provided additional dialogue for the Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid (1989), enhancing the comedic interplay among characters like Sebastian and Scuttle in this underwater musical adventure. His most substantial film credit came as co-screenwriter for the animated short The Prince and the Pauper (1990), where he collaborated with Sam Graham and Chris Hubbell to adapt Mark Twain's novel into a lighthearted tale of mistaken identities featuring Mickey Mouse as dual roles. This project underscored his affinity for witty, character-driven narratives in family-oriented comedy.Musical career
Gerrit Graham began his involvement in the music industry as a rock music writer in New York City during the early 1970s, contributing articles and reviews to prominent publications such as Rolling Stone, Creem, Fusion, and The Boston Phoenix.[4][16] His expertise in rock music informed his later creative work, bridging journalism with performance and composition. In the 1980s, Graham transitioned into songwriting, collaborating with Bob Weir, guitarist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, to provide lyrics for several tracks. Notable contributions include the lyrics for "Victim of the Crime," a complex, introspective song first performed by Weir with Bobby and the Midnites in 1983 and later incorporated into the Grateful Dead's repertoire on their 1989 album Built to Last.[2][17] Other collaborations encompass "Gonesville" from Weir's 2016 solo album Blue Mountain and additional unreleased or live-performed pieces, reflecting Graham's style of dark, philosophical themes.[18][19] Graham's musical performances appeared in film, most prominently in Brian De Palma's 1974 rock opera Phantom of the Paradise, where he portrayed the flamboyant glam rocker Beef and sang original songs such as "Beef" and "Life at Last." These numbers, part of Paul Williams's score, satirized the rock industry and showcased Graham's vocal delivery in a high-energy, theatrical context. His role highlighted musical elements in comedic and horror-tinged projects, though his primary songwriting output remained tied to Weir's endeavors.Personal life
Marriage and family
Gerrit Graham married Deborah P. Cooper in 1982.[4] The couple had two sons, Henry and Jack, before their divorce, the date of which is not publicly specified.[2]Later years
Following his final acting role as the Hitchhiker in the 2012 short film Cove Road, Graham has not appeared in any further narrative film or television productions, indicating a transition to semi-retirement from on-screen work.[2] In 2024, he made a rare public appearance in the documentary Doc of Chucky, where he provided insights into his performance as Phil Simpson in the 1990 horror film Child's Play 2.[20] Throughout his extensive career spanning over four decades, Graham received no major awards or nominations from prestigious bodies such as the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, or Golden Globes.[21] Born on November 27, 1949, Graham turned 75 in 2024 and continues to live privately as of November 2025.[2]Filmography
Film
Gerrit Graham's film acting credits span over five decades, beginning with his debut in Brian De Palma's experimental comedy Greetings (1968). The following is a chronological list of his roles in feature films.[2]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Greetings | Lloyd Clay |
| 1970 | Hi, Mom! | Gerrit Wood |
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob | Joe |
| 1974 | Phantom of the Paradise | Beef |
| 1976 | Cannonball! | Perman Waters |
| 1976 | Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw | Ray "Magic Ray" |
| 1976 | Tunnelvision | Freddie |
| 1976 | Special Delivery | Swivot |
| 1977 | Demon Seed | Walter Gabler |
| 1978 | Pretty Baby | Highpockets |
| 1979 | Old Boyfriends | Sam |
| 1979 | Home Movies | James Byrd |
| 1980 | Used Cars | Jeff |
| 1982 | Soup for One | Brian |
| 1982 | National Lampoon's Class Reunion | Bob Spinnaker |
| 1985 | The Annihilators | Ray Track |
| 1985 | The Man with One Red Shoe | Carson |
| 1986 | TerrorVision | Stanley Putterman |
| 1986 | Chopping Mall | Nessler |
| 1986 | Last Resort | Curt |
| 1986 | Ratboy | Billy Morrison |
| 1987 | It's Alive III: Island of the Alive | Ralston |
| 1987 | Walker | Norvell Walker |
| 1989 | Big Man on Campus | Stanley Hoyle |
| 1989 | C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. | Bud Oliver / Bud the C.H.U.D. |
| 1989 | Martians Go Home | Stan Garrett |
| 1990 | Child's Play 2 | Phil Simpson |
| 1992 | Frozen Assets | Lewis Crandall |
| 1993 | This Boy's Life | Mr. Howard |
| 1994 | My Girl 2 | Dr. Sam Helburn |
| 1995 | National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins | The Devil |
| 1995 | The Wasp Woman | Arthur |
| 1996 | Magic in the Mirror: Fowl Play | Bloom |
| 1998 | One True Thing | Oliver Most |
| 1998 | The Love Letter | Norman |
| 2002 | Austin Powers in Goldmember | Doctor |
| 2005 | Building Girl | Mr. Minard |
| 2007 | Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story | Record Executive |
| 2007 | Caótica Ana | Míster Halcón |
| 2008 | Stick It in Detroit | Captain John Willoughby |
| 2012 | The Dictator's Son | Wait, no - wait, from Wiki Cove Road 2012 The Hitchhiker |
| Wait, earlier no Dictator, so Cove Road The Hitchhiker | ||
| 2012 | Cove Road | The Hitchhiker |
| 2024 | Doc of Chucky | Self |
Television
Gerrit Graham made numerous guest appearances on television series from the 1970s onward, often playing supporting or character roles, alongside a few recurring parts and voice work in animated shows. He also contributed as a writer to select series. His television acting credits, listed chronologically, include the following representative examples.[2]| Year | Title | Role | Episode/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Baretta | Guest role | Guest star appearance. |
| 1975 | Starsky and Hutch | Nick Manning | Guest star appearance. |
| 1976 | Laverne & Shirley | Guest role | Guest star appearance. |
| 1976 | Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman | Unknown | Series regular or recurring early in run. |
| 1976 | Quincy, M.E. | Guest role | Guest star appearance. |
| 1978 | Dallas | Guest role | Early guest spot. |
| 1982 | Fame | Guest role | Guest star appearance. |
| 1982 | St. Elsewhere | Guest role | Guest star appearance. |
| 1983 | The A-Team | Brother Stephen | "Children of Jamestown". |
| 1984 | Miami Vice | Calvin Teal | Guest star appearance. |
| 1986 | The Twilight Zone | Terence McKenzie | "Welcome to Winfield" segment of "Welcome to Winfield/Quarantine". |
| 1988 | My Two Dads | Carlton Crow | "The Family in Question". |
| 1988–1989 | Dallas | Fred Hughes | Recurring role (12 episodes in season 12). |
| 1989 | Tales from the Crypt | Theodore Carne | "The Man Who Was Death". |
| 1989–1992 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose | Dr. Norman Pankow | Recurring role. |
| 1990 | Law & Order | Guest role | Guest star appearance. |
| 1991 | The Wonder Years | Dr. Tucker | "Courage". |
| 1992 | The Larry Sanders Show | Kevin | Guest appearance. |
| 1992 | Seinfeld | Clown | "The Opera" (season 4, episode 9, uncredited). |
| 1993 | Babylon 5 | Lord Kiro | "Signs and Portents". |
| 1993 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | The Hunter | "Captive Pursuit" (season 1, episode 6). |
| 1994–1995 | The Critic | Franklin Sherman (voice) | Recurring role (23 episodes). |
| 1995 | The Tick | Milo (voice) | "Armless But Not Harmless". |
| 1995–1996 | Gargoyles | Guardian (voice) | 4 episodes. |
| 1996 | Star Trek: Voyager | Quinn | "Death Wish" (season 2, episode 18). |
| 1999 | Star Trek: Voyager | Qatai | "Bliss" (season 5, episode 14). |
| 1999 | Third Watch | Guest role | Guest star appearance. |
| 1999–2000 | Now and Again | Roger Bender | Recurring role (22 episodes). |
| 2005 | Third Watch | Charles Benjamin | Guest star appearance. |