Popular comedian and “America's Got Talent” contestant Perry Kurtz died Thursday at age 73 in a hit-and-run accident.
According to reports, the beloved comedian was involved in a fatal crash in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles at approximately 11:20 p.m. TMZInitial reports indicated he was struck and killed by a gray Honda Civic. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel pronounced Kurtz dead upon arrival at the scene. New York PostAccording to TMZ, law enforcement sources say police have arrested a suspect on suspicion of felony hit-and-run resulting in death.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 17: Comedian Perry Kurtz performs onstage during the Roosevelt Comedy Show presented by Max Events at the Roosevelt Theatre at The Hollywood Roosevelt on September 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)
“A gray Honda Civic was traveling eastbound on Ventura Boulevard when it struck and killed a pedestrian who was crossing Ventura Boulevard east of Corbin Avenue,” the New York Post reported in a press release.
“The pedestrian was thrown eastbound and then struck the road. The Honda continued eastbound without stopping, identifying himself or providing assistance as required by law,” the outlet reported, adding that the driver of the Honda was a teenager.
No further details have been released about the circumstances surrounding the hit-and-run incident.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 17: Comedian Perry Kurtz performs onstage during the Roosevelt Comedy Show presented by Max Events at the Roosevelt Theatre at The Hollywood Roosevelt on September 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Kurtz was a well-known comedian who was close to many comedy legends. He began his career performing across the United States in the early 1970s. He headlined some of the biggest comedy clubs in Los Angeles and New York City and gained a huge following.
According to TMZ, the popular comedian was a regular headliner at Dangerfield's, a venue named after legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield.
Kurtz has performed at venues including the Comedy Store, Jon Lovitz Comedy Club and the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
He was close friends with the late Robin Williams. (RELATED: 'Catfish' Host Nev Shulman Posts Photos and Video of Gruesome Injuries After Breaking Neck)
Kurtz is also known for his performance on season eight of “America's Got Talent,” where he rapped about the judges but was quickly turned away.
A video of Kurtz's recent show was posted to his Instagram account just hours before his death.
