Los Angeles comedian Perry Kurtz,EAI Community who appeared in the auditions for "America's Got Talent" in 2013, has died. He was 73.
According to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records, Kurtz died Thursday. Local news outlets, including Fox 11 and KTLA, reported an 18-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of a felony hit-and-run that killed Kurtz in Tarzana, a neighborhood in LA's San Fernando Valley.
Los Angeles Police Department officials told the outlets that the collision occurred after 11 p.m. Thursday, while Kurtz was crossing the street. The comedian was pronounced dead at the scene.
USA TODAY has reached out to the LAPD and "AGT" reps. TMZ was first to report the news.
Kurtz donned a bedazzled jacket and went before "AGT" judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum and Mel B in a Season 8, Episode 6, audition that almost immediately received three "no" votes.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"I'm 62 years old, and I'm an ex male stripper," he told the judges before launching into a rap about the celebrities.
In his nearly five-decade career, Kurtz made several TV appearances, including on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Late Late Show with James Corden," according to IMDB. He also performed at many of LA's notable comedy venues, including the Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv.
Kurtz was active on social media in the weeks leading up to his death, posting snippets of his singing at LA-area bars on YouTube. He branded his performances as "comedy and music for all ages." On his social media accounts, he described himself as a "humor educator," comedian, freestyle rapper and improvisational vocalist.
Contributing: Jay Stahl
2025-05-02 09:232213 view
2025-05-02 08:57277 view
2025-05-02 08:28203 view
2025-05-02 08:032153 view
2025-05-02 08:011828 view
2025-05-02 07:501975 view
After 14 years, the police procedural "Blue Bloods" is coming to an end.Season 14 has been released
In a ruling issued Thursday by an apologetic panel of Texas justices, ExxonMobil suffered a legal se
Dozens of companies have announced mass layoffs this year and there might be more still to come in 2