Comedian Perry Kurtz dies at 73 after fatal hit-and-run in LA's Tarzana

Perry Kurtz, a Los Angeles comedian known for his audition on "America's Got Talent" in 2013, has passed away at the age of 73. According to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Kurtz died on Thursday. Local news sources, including Fox 11 and KTLA, reported that an 18-year-old suspect has been arrested on charges of felony hit-and-run related to Kurtz's death, which occurred in Tarzana, a neighborhood in LA's San Fernando Valley.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the incident happened after 11 p.m. on Thursday while Kurtz was crossing the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

USA TODAY has reached out to both the LAPD and "AGT" representatives for further comment, with TMZ being the first to break the news.

During his audition for "AGT" Season 8, Episode 6, Kurtz, wearing a bedazzled jacket, performed a rap about celebrities. Despite his effort, he received three "no" votes from judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, and Mel B. Kurtz, who was 62 at the time, introduced himself as an "ex-male stripper."

Over his nearly 50-year career, Kurtz appeared on various TV shows such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Late Late Show with James Corden." He also performed at prominent comedy clubs in LA, including the Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Kurtz remained active on social media, sharing videos of his performances at local bars on YouTube, which he described as "comedy and music for all ages." He portrayed himself as a "humor educator," comedian, freestyle rapper, and improvisational vocalist on his social media profiles.