Perry Kurtz JC Olivera/Getty Images
Former Americas’ Got Talent contestant and stand-up comic Perry Kurtz has died after being involved in a hit-and-run crash. He was 73.
Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Us Weekly that a man in his 70s was crossing the street at Ventura Boulevard and Corbin Avenue in Tarzana, California, around 11:20 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, when a car driven by a teenager hit him.
When first responders arrived, the victim was declared dead at the scene.
Kurtz was identified as the victim by a Los Angeles County Medical Examiner report viewed by Us Weekly. His cause of death has yet to be revealed and is deferred pending an autopsy.
Hollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024. Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 during a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was traveling home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shared with wife Jessica Klepser — on January 4. […]
According to police, an 18-year-old suspect was arrested and booked on Friday, August 16, after investigators allege he struck and killed Kurtz.
Two days before the accident, Kurtz was spotted at Pat’s Cocktails Lounge near Los Angeles where he took to the stage and participated in karaoke.
“I just get up,” he said in a video posted via his Facebook page. “I’m trying to have me some fun.”
Perry Kurtz Araya Doheny/WireImage
Kurtz, who is a Philadelphia native, started his career back in the early ‘70s when he performed in various comedy gigs all over the country. In the ‘80s, he served as a consistent headliner at famed New York City venue Dangerfield’s — named after comedy star Rodney Dangerfield.
During season 8 of America’s Got Talent, Kurtz appeared in front of judges Howard Stern, Mel B and Heidi Klum to deliver a comedy act. He identified himself as an “ex male stripper” before performing a routine.
Kurtz ultimately received three “nos” and did not advance after the 2013 auditions.
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Since America’s Got Talent debuted in June 2006, the show has gone through many changes — including swapping out the panel of judges from time to time. The series, created by Simon Cowell, kicked off with Piers Morgan, David Hasselhoff and Sharon Osbourne serving as judges. Later, the show expanded to four judges and Cowell […]
“Howard had prewritten mean jokes, to which I heckled him back and got laughs from the crowd,” Kurtz joked on his YouTube page. “They gave me no mic stand, strange music and shut my mic off to 2/3 of the audience when I started to sing, THEN told the crowd to stand up and boo me. Welcome to reality TV.”
After the show, however, Kurtz had the opportunity to appear on The Late Late Show With James Corden where he delivered his best “bar talent.” He called late-night host James Corden “the nicest guy EVER” after his 2018 appearance.
Up until his death, Kurtz continued to step out and perform at various comedy venues in and around Southern California. He shared many highlights of his performances on social media.