Actor and Grateful Dead Songwriter

Variety • September 18, 2026 • entertainment

Key Points:

Gerrit Graham, an actor, screenwriter, and songwriter known for co-writing a song for The Grateful Dead, died at age 77 in Rhinebeck, N.Y., after battling lung disease and other ailments.
He began his career in Brian de Palma films alongside Robert De Niro and appeared in notable movies such as "Demon Seed," "Pretty Baby," and "Child’s Play 2," as well as TV shows including "Seinfeld," "The Wonder Years," and both "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager."
Graham was also a screenwriter for projects like "The Little Mermaid," "Oliver & Company," and "The Twilight Zone," and co-wrote the Disney adaptation of "Prince and The Pauper" with his brother.
As a songwriter, he collaborated with Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead, co-writing "Victim or The Crime," featured on the band's "Built To Last" album and later performed live by Weir and Rob Wasserman.
Born in New York City, Graham spent his later years in Rhinebeck, N.Y., where he was active in local preservation efforts; he is survived by his wife Deborah, two sons, brother, and four grandchildren.

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