US comedian Perry Kurtz has died aged 73 from a hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The death of Kurtz, who was best known for performances on America’s Got Talent and The Late Late Show with James Corden, was confirmed by local law enforcement to TMZ.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Perry Kurtz on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
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The publication reports the fatal incident occurred in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Tarzana at 11.20pm local time on Thursday.
Kurtz was hit by a grey Honda Civic, and the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed him dead at the scene.
A suspect has reportedly been arrested.
“The Honda continued eastbound failing to stop, identify self, or render aid as required by law,” said the Los Angeles Police Department in a statement.
His representative Dante Rusciolelli shared a statement about his client saying he was “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,” Rusciolelli said, as per Forbes.
Kurtz grew up in Philadelphia and moved to San Francisco in 1979, spending the 1980s touring across the US and Canada before re-locating to Los Angeles in 1989, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
During the 1980s, late comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield would fly him to New York to headlined at his club.
He also formed a close friendship with the late actor and comedian Robin Williams, who died in 2014, and opened for him at comedy shows.
Kurtz auditioned for the eighth season of America’s Got Talent in 2013 where he rapped about judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum and Men B.
He received three no-votes, eliminating him from the competition.
Kurtz’s daughter Sarah has since created a GoFundMe in light of his “unexpected” death.
“I am heartbroken to share that my father, Perry Kurtz, was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver on August 15th, 2024, in Los Angeles, California,” she said.
“His unexpected passing has shocked our family and left us facing significant financial challenges as we work to honour him at the end of his life.
“My dad was a well-known and beloved performer in and around Los Angeles all my life.
“He loved what he did and worked very hard at it every day. I am proud of his successes and the enjoyment he brought to his many friends and fans.
“Unfortunately, I currently live in Kansas with the rest of my family, and I am trying to make final arrangements from a distance.
“This is very difficult for me as I am only 19 years old and never expected to lose my dad at this point in my life.
“I am looking for help paying for his final expenses and taking care of his personal belongings and obligations. This will include my travel back to Los Angeles to accomplish this.
“I greatly appreciate any amount you would like to donate or any sharing of this fundraiser so I can take care of my dad the way that he always did his best to take care of me.”
