Comedian Perry Kurtz, known for his stint on “America’s Got Talent,” died in a hit-and-run incident on Ventura Boulevard, Los Angeles, California on August 15, 2024. Kurtz, 73, was crossing the street in the vicinity of the Tarzana neighborhood when a gray Honda Civic hit him around 11:20 p.m. as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The driver, 18-year-old Nathon Jaimes from Reseda, left the scene without offering assistance. LAPD officers discovered the deserted car roughly half a mile from the incident location and apprehended Jaimes at his home the next morning. He was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run resulting in death and was subsequently released on a $30,000 bond. Jaimes is scheduled to face court on September 13, 2024.
A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native, Kurtz was a significant figure in the Los Angeles comedy circuit. His five-decade-long career included appearances on “The Late Late Show” with James Corden and “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. In 2013, he tried out for the eighth season of “America’s Got Talent,” delivering a humorous rap about the show’s adjudicators.
Dante Rusciolelli, Kurtz’s long-time agent and friend, expressed his grief, mentioning that Kurtz was not just a client but a friend dating back to 1987. Rusciolelli acknowledged Kurtz’s strong influence in the Los Angeles comedy scene and stated that his absence would be deeply felt, sending condolences to his family.
On the evening of the tragic event, Kurtz had performed at a local Los Angeles bar, sharing a video of his act just a few hours prior to his death. He was renowned for his distinctive humor and commitment to entertaining audiences, regardless of the venue’s size.
Upon learning of Kurtz’s passing, fans and fellow comedians took to social media to pay tribute. His daughter established a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses, stating that her father had devoted his life to bringing joy to others and would wish to be remembered as such. The fundraiser has since raised over $9,000.
The LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division is still investigating the details of the crash. They encourage anyone with any information to reach out to them.
