Gerrit Graham

Gerrit Graham
Graham in Just Friends, 1979
Born(1948-11-27)November 27, 1948
New York City, U.S.
DiedSeptember 15, 2026(2026-09-15) (aged 77)
Rhinebeck, New York, U.S.
EducationColumbia University
OccupationsActor, songwriter, screenwriter
Years active1968–2012
Spouse
Deborah Cooper
​
(m. 1982)​
Children2

Gerrit Graham (November 27, 1948 – September 15, 2026) was an American stage, television and film actor, as well as a scriptwriter and songwriter. He was best known for his appearances in multiple films by Brian De Palma as well as appearances in two Star Trek series. He starred in Used Cars with Kurt Russell and voiced Franklin Sherman on The Critic.

Early life and education

Gerrit Graham was born in New York City on November 27, 1948, to parents John and Janet Graham. The family went on to live in Missouri and Michigan before settling in Chicago.

Graham attended, but did not graduate from Columbia University. At Columbia, he was the head of Columbia Players, the college theater company. His future co-worker, Brian De Palma, was also a former manager of the student group during his undergraduate years.

Career

Actor

Film

Graham appeared in films such as Used Cars, TerrorVision, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, Child's Play 2 and Greetings, where he worked with Brian De Palma for the first time. He again worked with De Palma on Hi, Mom! and Home Movies, as well as Phantom of the Paradise, where he played flamboyant glam-rocker Beef. Sheila Benson of the Los Angeles Times remarked that Graham and Jon Lovitz were the only actors in Last Resort who were "exempt from the bad-accent stigma."

Television

Gerrit Graham and Stockard Channing in Just Friends, 1979
Stockard Channing and Gerrit Graham in Just Friends, 1979

Graham was in the television special Super Vision (1976). He was in Just Friends as Leonard Scribner. Graham in was in six episodes of the twelfth season of the prime time soap opera Dallas as Fred Hughes. He was the voice of Franklin Sherman in the animated series The Critic as well as a recurring role as Dr. Norman Pankow on the sitcom Parker Lewis Can't Lose.

He portrayed two different characters within the Star Trek franchise: the alien hunter of Tosk on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and a member of the Q Continuum who adopts the name Quinn in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Death Wish". He was once considered, along with René Auberjonois and Andrew Robinson, for the role of Odo, which went to Auberjonois. Robinson was later cast as Elim Garak.

Stage

Graham was a stage performer who was in the touring company The Second City. His performances in the 1986 improvisational show Sills & Company and the 1987 play Bouncers by John Godber were positively reviewed by the New York Times. Julio Martinez of Variety called Graham "eerily evocative" of Allard Lowenstein in Dreams Die Hard in 1995. Frank Rizzo of Variety wrote that Graham had "some of the best lines" in his performance as Father Charles Dunbar in The God Committee in 2004. He also played Julian in Communicating Doors in 1998.

Writer

Graham wrote the teleplays for the episodes "Still Life" and "Opening Day" of the 1980s version of The Twilight Zone. He did not write "Welcome to Winfield", the only episode in which he appeared as a member of the cast. Graham worked as a writer on The Little Mermaid. Along with his brother, Sam, and Chris Hubbell, he co-wrote the Disney film The Prince and the Pauper.

Musician

Graham was a longtime friend and songwriting collaborator of Bob Weir, guitarist and vocalist of the Grateful Dead. The two met in the 1970s and began writing together in the early 1980s. Their collaboration produced "Victim or the Crime", for which Weir supplied the initial chorus and Graham developed the lyrics. The song was recorded by the Grateful Dead for their 1989 album Built to Last and became part of the band's concert repertoire.

He also contributed lyrics to Weir's side project Bobby and the Midnites, including "(I Want to Live in) America" and "City Girls", both released in 1984. Following the Grateful Dead's dissolution in 1995, he continued collaborating with Weir through RatDog. In a 1999 interview with The New Yorker, Graham explained that he had accumulated a collection of unused lyrics while waiting for the Grateful Dead to record another album. He subsequently developed several songs with Weir for RatDog, including "Two Djinn", which he identified as his favorite of their collaborations.

Graham received songwriting credits on four tracks from RatDog's 2000 studio album Evening Moods: "Bury Me Standing", "Odessa", "Two Djinn" and "Even So". His contributions were primarily lyrical, with the music developed by Weir and other members of RatDog.

The collaboration continued into the 2000s, with Graham providing lyrics for additional RatDog compositions, including "Money for Gasoline" and "Just Like Mama Said". Graham co-wrote the song "Hard Times of America" with David Kraai, which was released on Kraai's album Back To When on June 12, 2026.

Personal life and death

Graham married Deborah Cooper in 1982. They had two children together, Jack and Henry. He died of complications from lung disease on September 15, 2026, at the age of 77.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1968 Greetings Lloyd Clay
1970 Hi, Mom! Gerrit Wood
1972 Beware! The Blob Joe, Ape-Suited Party Guest
1974 Phantom of the Paradise Beef
1976 Tunnel Vision Freddie
Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw Ray "Magic Ray"
Special Delivery Swivot
Cannonball! Perman Waters
1977 Demon Seed Walter Gabler
1978 Pretty Baby "Highpockets"
1979 Old Boyfriends Sam, The Fisherman
Home Movies James Byrd
1980 Used Cars Jeff
1982 Soup for One Brian
National Lampoon's Class Reunion Bob Spinnaker
1983 The Creature Wasn't Nice Rodzinski
1985 The Annihilators Ray Track
The Man with One Red Shoe Carson
1986 TerrorVision Stan
Chopping Mall Nessler, The Technician
Last Resort Curt
Ratboy Billy Morrison
1987 It's Alive III: Island of the Alive Ralston
Walker Norvell Walker
The Search for Animal Chin Skateboard Manufacturer
1989 Big Man on Campus Stanley Hoyle
Police Academy 6: City Under Siege "Ace"
C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. Bud Oliver / Bud the C.H.U.D.
Martians Go Home Stan Garrett
The Little Mermaid Additional voices Uncredited
1990 Night of the Cyclone Lieutenant John France
Child's Play 2 Phil Simpson
1992 Frozen Assets Lewis Crandall
Sidekicks Mr. Mapes
1993 This Boy's Life Mr. Howard
Philadelphia Experiment II Dr. William Mailer / Friedrich Mahler
1994 My Girl 2 Dr. Sam Helburn
1995 Stuart Saves His Family Male Diner Uncredited
The Break Bill Cowens
1996 Magic in the Mirror: Fowl Play Bloom
1998 One True Thing Oliver Most
2005 Building Girl Mr. Minard
2007 Chaotic Ana Mr. Halcón
2008 Stick It in Detroit Captain John Willoughby
2012 Cove Road The Hitchhiker

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1974 The Rookies Eric Episode: "Prelude to Vengeance"
Harry O Charles Dillon Episode: "Accounts Balanced"
1975 The Hatfields and the McCoys Calvin McCoy Made-for-TV movie directed by Clyde Ware
Baretta Rick Parrish Episode: "The 5½ Pound Junkie"
Strange New World Daniel Made-for-TV movie Robert Butler
Medical Story Dr. David Lessing Episode: "The Right to Die"
1976 Super Vision Self Television special directed by Harold Ramis; Segment: "2"; uncredited
Dynasty Carver Blackwood Made-for-TV movie directed by Lee Philips
Starsky & Hutch Nick Manning Episode: "Nightmare"
1977 Future Cop Cliff Yancey Episode: "The Mad Mad Bomber"
Dog and Cat Mick Episode: "A Duck Is a Duck"
1978 Laverne & Shirley Nathan Episode: "The Dance Studio"
1979 Just Friends Leonard Scribner 13 episodes
1982 New Wave Theatre Man on Stage Episode #1.2; uncredited
1983 The A-Team Brother Stephen Episode: "Children of Jamestown"
Likely Stories, Vol. 2 Soap Opera Guy Made-for-TV movie directed by David Jablin
The Dukes of Hazzard Baldwin Episode: "A Baby for the Dukes"; uncredited
1984 Whiz Kids Jerry Bingers Episode: "Watch Out!"
The Ratings Game Parker Braithwaite Made-for-TV movie directed by Danny DeVito
1986 The Twilight Zone Griffin St. George Segment: "Welcome to Winfield"
Fame Mister Wacky Episode: "Mister Wacky's World"
1986–87 Sidekicks Phil Krawcheck 2 episodes
1987 St. Elsewhere Mr. Gillette Episode: "Cold War"
Throb George Episode: "Genius"
Sledge Hammer! Prosecuting Attorney Episode: "Jagged Sledge"
Rags to Riches Guest Episode: "Vegas Rock"
1988 Miami Vice Calvin Teal Episode: "The Cows of October"
My Two Dads Carlton Crow Episode: "The Family in Question"
1988–89 Dallas Fred Hughes 6 episodes
1989 Dear John Gary Episode: "For a Friend"
Tales from the Crypt Theodore Carne Episode: "The Man Who Was Death"
The Young Riders J.D. Marcus Episode: "Ten-Cent Hero"
The Nutt House Eric – Safety Inspector Episode: "A Night at the Reunion"
1990 Sugar and Spice Cliff Episode: "The Truck Stops Here"
China Beach Captain Soubra Episode: "The Gift"
Parenthood Ed Lambkin Episode: "My Dad Can Beat Up Your BMW"
1990–92 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Dr. Norman Pankow Recurring role
1991 The Wonder Years Dr. Tucker Episode: "Courage"
Stat Dr. Gus Rivers 2 episodes
Reasonable Doubts Patrick Pierce Episode: "Dicky's Got the Blues"
Davis Rules Howard Buckley Episode: "They're Writing Songs of Love, But Nun for Me"
1992 A Different World Henry Krum Episode: "Bedroom at the Top"
TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes Photographer Episode: "Sherman Hemsley/Melissa Reeves"
The New WKRP in Cincinnati P.J. Bartman Episode: "Sex, Lies & Videotape"
Likely Suspects Billy Burrows Episode: "The Cheese Stands Alone"
Civil Wars Whit Buffum Episode: "Below the Beltway"
Seinfeld Clown Episode: "The Opera"; uncredited
Fievel's American Tails Cat Roger Waul (voice) Recurring role; 10 episodes
Family Matters Landlord Episode: "The Oddest Couple"
1993 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine The Hunter Episode: "Captive Pursuit"
Love Matters Phillips Episode: "Vegas Rock"
Moon Over Miami Tommy Fender Episode: "In a Safe Place"
1993–95 The Pink Panther Various Voice; 39 episodes
1994 Babylon 5 Lord Kiro Episode: "Signs and Portents"
Shake, Rattle and Rock! Lipsky Made-for-TV movie directed by Allan Arkush
Diagnosis: Murder Joseph Boland Episode: "My Four Husbands"
1994–95 The Critic Franklin Sherman (voice) Recurring role; 23 episodes
1995 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Munch Episode: "The Eyes Have It"
Family Reunion: A Relative Nightmare Mark McKenna Sr. Made-for-TV movie directed by Neal Israel
The Wasp Woman Arthur Made-for-TV movie directed by Jim Wynorski
The Tick Milo (voice) Episode: "Armless But Not Harmless"
The Larry Sanders Show Kevin Episode: "0.409"
National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins The Devil Made-for-TV movie directed by David Jablin and Denis Leary
Dumb and Dumber Various (voices) 2 episodes
1995–96 Gargoyles Guardian (voice) 4 episodes
1996 Weird Science Dr. Victor Frankenstein Episode: "Searching for Boris Karloff"
Star Trek: Voyager Quinn Episode: "Death Wish"
1996–97 Bruno the Kid Additional voices 3 episodes
1998 The Love Letter Warren Whitcomb Made-for-TV movie directed by Dan Curtis
1998–2000 Law & Order Mr. Hutchins / Alan Bruder 2 episodes
1999–2000 Now and Again Roger Bender Recurring role; 22 episodes
2005 Third Watch Charles Benjamin Episode: "Welcome Home"
2009 Au Pair 3: Adventure in Paradise Rupert Made-for-TV movie directed by Mark Griffiths

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Gerrit Graham – About This Person – Movies & TV". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Obituary information for Gerrit Graham". Burnett & White Funeral Homes. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Fedak, Tanya (September 18, 2026). "Gerrit Graham, Actor in 'Phantom of the Paradise,' Screenwriter and Grateful Dead Collaborator, Dies at 77". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on September 18, 2026. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Barnes, Mike (September 18, 2026). "Gerrit Graham, Actor in 'Phantom of the Paradise,' 'Pretty Baby' and 'Used Cars,' Dies at 77". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on September 18, 2026. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  5. ↑ Hunter 2015, p. 426.
  6. ↑ Graham, Gerrit (May 10, 2004). "The Crime, and Its Victims". The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics. University of California, Santa Cruz. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  7. ↑ Gencarelli, Mike (October 29, 2014). "Gerrit Graham talks about roles in "Phantom of the Paradise" and "Used Cars"". MediaMikes. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  8. ↑ Ditlea, Steve (April 28, 1969). "Brian De Palma is a revolutionary". Columbia Daily Spectator. Vol. CXIII, no. 106. Spectator Publishing Company, Inc. OCLC 665221386. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 "Gerrit Graham – Filmography – Movies & TV". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Abley & Doupé 2024, p. 286.
  11. ↑ Laycock, John (March 10, 1975). "Phantom is funny but not a paradise". Windsor Star. Postmedia Network. p. 9. ISSN 0839-2277. OCLC 723967057. Retrieved September 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Benson, Sheila (May 9, 1986). "Family Vacation Goes Awry In 'Last Resort'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  13. 1 2 Stein 2013, p. 119.
  14. 1 2 Clarendon, Dan (September 19, 2026). "Gerrit Graham Dies: Actor of 'Star Trek' & 'Phantom of the Paradise' Was 76". TV Insider. TV Guide. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  15. ↑ Morris 2004, pp. 165–167.
  16. ↑ "Andrew Robinson: First Person". StarTrek.com. Paramount Skydance. Archived from the original on February 7, 2004. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Catching Up with 2X Trek Guest Gerrit Graham". StarTrek.com. Paramount Skydance. November 5, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2025. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  18. ↑ Ruditis 2003, p. 85.
  19. ↑ Gussow, Mel (July 20, 1986). "Stage View; Actors And Audiences Brew Fun From Improvisation". The New York Times. p. 3, section 2. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  20. ↑ Bennetts, Leslie (June 8, 1986). "If It Works, It's Theater. If It Doesn't..." The New York Times. p. 1, section 2. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  21. ↑ Rich, Frank (September 18, 1987). "The Stage: 'Bouncers,' Drama". The New York Times. p. 3-C. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  22. ↑ Drake, Sylvie (July 8, 1993). "Stage Review : 'Bouncers' Rebounds From A Lack Of Substance At Tiffany". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  23. ↑ Martinez, Julio (March 8, 1995). "Dreams Die Hard". Variety. Variety, Inc (now Penske Media Corporation). ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  24. ↑ Rizzo, Frank (July 27, 2004). "The God Committee". Variety. Variety, Inc (now Penske Media Corporation). ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  25. ↑ Isherwood, Charles (August 24, 1998). "Communicating Doors". Variety. Variety, Inc (now Penske Media Corporation). ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  26. ↑ Lofficier, Jean-Marc; Lofficier, Randy (April 2003). Into the Twilight Zone: The Rod Serling Programme Guide. iUniverse. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-595-27612-7.
  27. ↑ Trager 1997, p. 384.
  28. 1 2 Wilkinson, Alec (December 20, 1999). "The Musical Life". The New Yorker. Condé Nast. eISSN 2163-3827. OCLC 320541675. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  29. ↑ Dodd, David (March 6, 2014). "Greatest Stories Ever Told – Victim or the Crime". Grateful Dead. Archived from the original on September 19, 2026. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Gerrit Graham Discography". Grateful Dead Family Discography. Archived from the original on August 22, 2026. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Evening Moods". Grateful Dead Family Discography. Archived from the original on September 19, 2026. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  32. ↑ Hogan, Ray (November 25, 2000). "Weir Resurrects the Dead Touch on Ratdog's 'Evening Moods'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on September 20, 2026. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Other Lyricists". Grateful Dead Lyric and Song Finder. Archived from the original on September 19, 2026. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  34. ↑ http://www.davidkraai.com/about.html

Sources