Perry Kurtz, who appeared on season 8 of America’s Got Talent, has been killed in a hit-and-run, with sources sharing an insight into his final days.
The 73-year-old performer – who also starred on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden – was involved in the fatal accident in Tarzana, a Los Angeles neighbourhood on Thursday at around 11:20pm.
He was hit and killed by a grey Honda Civic, with the fire department pronouncing him dead at the scene.
As law enforcement confirmed to TMZ, a suspect has been arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing death.
According to FOXLA, cops have detained an 18-year-old named Naithon James.
James was arrested after a witness contacted police shortly after the crash due to seeing the suspect’s car parked ‘oddly’ and ‘with a broken windshield’.
The vehicle matched the description of the car caught on security cameras striking Kurtz.
Speaking after the comic’s shock death, those close to him revealed his last moments, which included a performance of Billie Eilish hit Bad Guy on karaoke, as footage obtained by DailyMail.com shows.
A source said: ‘This past Tuesday while he was out doing karaoke, he was talking about how he was looking forward to auditioning for AGT again.
‘He was looking forward to doing stand-up and also had a few shows lined up at senior communities in the next few months.’
They added: ‘He would always freestyle rap and dance and perform over Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy track during karaoke and not sing the actual lyrics and add his humour that would always delve into being a little raunchy but always funny.’
Stressing that Kurtz was a doting father, they said he ‘loved being a dad’, continuing: ‘Though tragic the way he went, he would be loving everyone talking about him right now.’
After Kurtz’s daughter confirmed his death via a social media post, old friends and colleagues paid tribute.
His agent, Dante Rusciolelli, told the New York 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.’
Comic Patrick Ford shared his condolences, writing on Facebook the next morning: ‘I woke up to very sad news today. My old friend Perry Kurtz was killed by a…. hit and run driver last night in Tarzana.’
He said that the late TV star was leaving a gig at a restaurant when the tragedy occurred on Ventura Boulevard and Melvin Avenue.
Ford added: ‘I was at The Comedy Store party the night Perry was named a “paid regular” and got his name on the wall. He never reached the heights of fame he sought but never gave up. He was a true comedian.’
Kurtz had a long career in comedy, having first shown a penchant for entertaining others when he gave puppet shows at local playgrounds in his home city, Philadelphia.
He then started gigging in the early 1970s and made a name for himself performing all over the country in some of the biggest comedy clubs.
Then, in the 1980s, he relocated to LA and became a paid regular as a consistent headliner at Dangerfield’s, a comedy club located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City, and named after comedian Rodney Dangerfield.
Throughout his career, Kurtz struck up friendships with many big stars, including Robin Williams before he died in 2014.
Alas, Kurtz didn’t have much success on Simon Cowell-founded show AGT in 2006.
His audition consisted of rapping about the judges, who were Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, and Mel B, while Howie Mandel was not present.
Unfortunately for Kurtz, all three buzzed him and voted ‘no’, eliminating him during the first round.
As for his personal life, Kurtz met his wife online on an LA bulletin board, where they talked for over 40 hours in just three days.
He said they fell in love the instant they met in person and went on to stay married for 20 years.
They also had four children with his youngest, Bella, following in her father’s footsteps and venturing into the world of stand-up herself.
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