Perry Kurtz, a comedian and fan-favorite who competed on season 8 of America’s Got Talent back in 2013, was killed in a hit-and-run last Thursday. He was 73 years-old.
Kurtz’s Death
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Kurtz was the victim of a hit-and-run in Tarzana, California on August 15.
“Rest in peace Perry Kurtz,” his longtime friend and manager Dante Rusciolelli told People Magazine. “Golden Artists Entertainment and myself are devastated by this news. Perry was not only a client, he’s been my friend since 1987. He has been a staple in the Los Angeles comedy community for decades and will be missed.”
“Our prayers are with his family,” Rusciolelli concluded.
Kurtz was on Ventura Boulevard, a main road in the San Fernando Valley, crossing the street at around 11:30pm last Thursday night when a gray Honda Civic struck him and continued driving. When medics arrived, they pronounced Kurtz dead, and the suspect was no longer at the scene.
Kurtz had been performing at Corbin Bowl’s open mic night each Thursday.
“He went across the street to the bowling alley to say hi to us,” Talmo told ABC 7. “We do comedy across the street, came to say hi to his friends and he was hanging out with us for like 15 minutes and then he came across the street, came back to sing some more karaoke … apparently someone hit him on Ventura.”
Thankfully, police later apprehended and arrested 18-year-old Nathon Jaimes at his residence on Friday morning. He has since been charged with a felony hit-and-run resulting in death.
“The hit-and-run vehicle was located abandoned not far from the scene of the collision,” the LAPD said in a statement.
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Kurtz’s History
Born in Philadelphia in 1951, Kurtz launched his career performing improv in San Francisco alongside the late great Robin Williams. Kurtz later moved to Los Angeles and became a regular at the famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.
Kurtz competed on season 8 of America’s Got Talent back in 2013. He won over fans when he performed a rap about judges Heidi Klum, Howard Stern, and Mel B. Though he was eliminated in the audition rounds, Kurtz made a lasting impression on the NBC reality show.
Kurtz’ had a YouTube channel that has nearly 2,000 followers. It remained active right up until his death, with the final video being posted just five days before his passing. In it, Kurtz can be seen singing “I’ll Always Remember Us This Way” at a The Barrel Tavern, a live music bar that is located in Sherman Oaks, California.
Check out that video below.
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Tributes For Kurtz
Kurtz’s death came as a shock to the comedian Bruce Baum, who worked with the 73-year-old starting in the mid-80’s.
“He was one of those guys that, regardless of how things were going, he was always very positive,” said Baum. “He never gave up. He’s always doing comedy or karaoke.”
The comedian Ryan Talmo praised Kurtz as being a “funny” person who “loved making people laugh.”
“He loved being around people,” he added.
Rest in peace, Perry Kurtz.
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