Perry Kurtz, Comedian andAmerica’s Got TalentAlum, Dies at 73 After Hit and Run

Mar. 15, 2025

Perry Kurtz.Photo:JC Olivera/Getty

JC Olivera/Getty

Comedian Perry Kurtz has died at the age of 73.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, the comedian was killed in a hit-and-run in Tarzana, California. Kurtz was on Ventura Boulevard, a main road in the San Fernando Valley, crossing the street when a gray Honda Civic struck him and continued driving, according to apress release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Our prayers are with his family,” Rusciolelli concluded.

Perry Kurtz.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

According to police, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. When medics arrived, Kurtz was pronounced dead and the suspect was no longer at the scene.

Police said they later located and arrested 18-year-old Nathon Jaimes at his residence on Friday morning. He has been charged with a felony hit-and-run resulting in death. It is unclear if he has retained legal representation.

“The hit-and-run vehicle was located abandoned not far from the scene of the collision,” police added in the press release.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report, Kurtz’s cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.

Perry Kurtz.Araya Doheny/WireImage

Araya Doheny/WireImage

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Kurtz was on season 8 ofAmerica’s Got Talentwhen he performed a rap about judgesHeidi Klum,Howard SternandMel B, but was quickly voted off. He also appeared onThe Tonight Show with Jay LenoandThe Late Late Show with James Corden.

At the start of his career, Kurtz performed improv in San Francisco alongside the lateRobin Williams. He later moved to Los Angeles and was a regular at the famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.

HisYouTubechannel, which has nearly 2,000 followers, remained active up until his death, with his latest video posted just five days before he was killed. In the three-minute clip, Kurtz can be seen singing “I’ll Always Remember Us This Way” at a The Barrel Tavern, a live music bar in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Most of his videos from the past few months displayed his musical skills, with a few stand-up sets posted as well.

source: people.com