Perry Kurtz, Comedian and “America’s Got Talent” Alum, Dies at 73 After Hit and Run

Kurtz's manager told PEOPLE "he has been a staple in the Los Angeles comedy community for decades and will be missed"

Comedian Perry Kurtz has died at the age of 73.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, the comedian was killed in a hit-and-run in Tarzana, California. Kurtz was on Ventura Boulevard, a main road in the San Fernando Valley, crossing the street when a gray Honda Civic struck him and continued driving, according to a press release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Rest in peace Perry Kurtz,” his longtime friend and manager Dante Rusciolelli wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “Golden Artists Entertainment and myself are 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 missed.”

“Our prayers are with his family,” Rusciolelli concluded.

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According to police, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. When medics arrived, Kurtz was pronounced dead and the suspect was no longer at the scene.

Police said they later located and arrested 18-year-old Nathon Jaimes at his residence on Friday morning. He has been charged with a felony hit-and-run resulting in death. It is unclear if he has retained legal representation.

"The hit-and-run vehicle was located abandoned not far from the scene of the collision," police added in the press release.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report, Kurtz’s cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.

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Kurtz was on season 8 of America’s Got Talentwhen he performed a rap about judges Heidi Klum, Howard Stern and Mel B, but was quickly voted off. He also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Lenoand The Late Late Show with James Corden.

At the start of his career, Kurtz performed improv in San Francisco alongside the late Robin Williams. He later moved to Los Angeles and was a regular at the famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.

His YouTube channel, which has nearly 2,000 followers, remained active up until his death, with his latest video posted just five days before he was killed. In the three-minute clip, Kurtz can be seen singing “I’ll Always Remember Us This Way” at a The Barrel Tavern, a live music bar in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Most of his videos from the past few months displayed his musical skills, with a few stand-up sets posted as well.

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