“America’s Got Talent” alum and comedian Perry Kurtz killed in a hit-and-run crash on Thursday. Kurtz was crossing an intersection in the Los Angeles, California, neighborhood of Tarzana around 11:30 p.m. Thursday when a car driven by a teen struck him, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a press release. Kurtz was 73. The suspect was identified as Nathon Jaimes, a resident of Reseda.
“A gray Honda Civic was traveling eastbound on Ventura Boulevard when it struck and killed a pedestrian who was walking across Ventura Boulevard east of Corbin Avenue,” the press release read. “The pedestrian was thrown into an easterly direction before colliding with the roadway. The Honda continued eastbound failing to stop, identify self, or render aid as required by law.”
Law enforcement was able to locate the alleged hit-and-run driver at his residence, noting the suspect’s vehicle “ was located abandoned not far from the scene of the collision.”
On Thursday night, Kurtz had posted a short video on Facebook of him performing during karaoke hour at Pat’s Cocktail Lounge, a bar about 10 miles from the crash site.
Kurtz’s daughter, Zelda Velazquez, wrote on Facebook that her father was traveling between comedy gigs when he was killed. His agent, Dante Rusciolelli, also addressed his death, telling The Post, “Golden Artists Entertainment and myself are personally 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 greatly missed. Our prayers are with his family.”
He started his career in 1973, when he took a group of friends to enter a talent contest at a New Jersey saloon, he told Shoutout LA in a 2022 interview. He won $250, then decided he should be a comedian and moved to San Francisco six years later to pursue comedy, he said.
During his audition for “AGT” Season 8, Episode 6, Kurtz, wearing a bedazzled jacket, performed a rap about celebrities. Despite his effort, he received three “no” votes from judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, and Mel B. Kurtz, who was 62 at the time, introduced himself as an “ex-male stripper.”
Over his nearly 50-year career, Kurtz appeared on various TV shows such as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” He also performed at prominent comedy clubs in LA, including the Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv where he was a paid regular since 1989.
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