AMERICA’S Got Talent alum Perry Kurtz has died after becoming the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
The comedian’s daughter, Zelda Velazquez, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, revealing that it happened late Thursday night.
TMZ linked Perry’s death to an incident that occurred in Tarzana, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Law enforcement confirmed to the outlet that Perry was the fatality in that accident involving a gray Honda Civic.
Cops have arrested a suspect believed to be connected to the hit-and-run.
According to TMZ, the Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced Perry dead at the scene.
Perry was 73 years old.
‘VERY SAD NEWS’
Comic Patrick Ford shared his condolences in a Facebook post after learning of his friend’s death the following 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 noted that Perry was leaving a gig at a restaurant and was crossing Ventura Boulevard when he was struck by the vehicle.
Patrick also highlighted Perry’s successes in the entertainment industry, including his appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, AGT, and other notable broadcasts.
“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,” Patrick concluded.
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Fans also expressed their heartbreak over Perry’s passing, with one person writing on X, “Sigh!! That’s sad. My deepest condolences to His loved ones and his friends.”
Another wrote, “Damn…. so very tragic….” and a third echoed, “That’s tragic!”
A fourth simply commented, “Rest in peace.”
Perry was well known in the comedy circuit and even formed a close relationship with the late Robin Williams, whom he opened for before the actor died in 2014.
He never reached the heights of fame he sought but never gave up. He was a true comedian.
Patrick Ford
He showed off his comedic skills once again, in a more public arena, during his Season 8 audition on AGT, rapping about the then judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, and Mel B.
However, his rapping skills didn’t win the panel over, and he received three “Nos.”
Perry’s IMDB lists many other accomplishments throughout the funnyman’s decades-long career, including his 2014 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
He also starred in the 2018 TV series Wait Crimes, the Sketchers Comedy Special in 2011, and the comedy short, Smooch My Smackers in 2010.
The website lists Perry’s first role was on an episode in the 1984 TV show Partners in Crime.
Perry was born in Philadelphia and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s to pursue his passion for comedy.
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