Perry Kurtz, 73, entertained with Billie Eilish karaoke set before he was killed in hit-and-run – as heartbroken friends reveal he had plans to audition for major TV show
Friends of comedian Perry Kurtz have stunnedly revealed that the TV star had only been happily singing Billie Eilish songs at karaoke for two nights before he was hit by a car on Thursday night.
The 73-year-old, who has appeared on America’s Got Talent and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, was traveling from gig to gig when he was killed, his daughter Zelda Velazquez confirmed in a heartbreaking message on social media on Friday.
Insiders who knew the late comedian well have shared their shock and sadness with DailyMail.com, reflecting on the star’s final days, and his plans to audition for AGT again.
“Last Tuesday, while doing karaoke, he talked about how he was looking forward to auditioning for AGT again,” the source revealed. “He was looking forward to doing stand-up comedy and also had a few shows planned at senior communities over the next few months.”
The insider explained that Eilish’s smash hit Bad Guy was his favorite backing track at karaoke bars.
Comedian Perry Kurtz was looking forward to his upcoming performances and enjoying time at karaoke bars with friends, just days before he died at age 73 after being hit by a car in a hit-and-run.
‘He used to rap and freestyle and perform at karaoke with Billie Eilish’s song Bad Guy. He didn’t sing the lyrics himself but added his own humor, which was sometimes a little crude but always funny,’ they continued.
Kurtz had a close friendship with Robin Williams, for whom he opened for the star before his death in 2014.
He entertained his colleagues with “days-long stories” about the late comedian and was “always looking for his next career goal and how he could make people laugh and get on TV.”
They added: ‘As tragic as the way he went, he would love it if everyone was talking about him now.’
The insider also emphasized how devoted Kurtz was as a father: “His phone screensaver had a picture of his daughter, and every time you talked to him he would always ask how you were doing and always brag about his daughter and what she was doing in a really great way. He really loved being a dad.
TMZ confirmed that Kurtz died in Tarzana, LA, after a collision with a gray Honda Civic around 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Police have arrested an 18-year-old suspect – identified as Naithon James – on suspicion of a hit-and-run incident resulting in death, according to FOXLA.
Insiders close to the late comedian shared their shock and sadness with DailyMail.com as they reflected on the star’s final days and his future career plans.
The star is pictured with James Corden on The Late Late Show in 2018
Kurtz was killed in an incident in Tarzana, LA, after being struck by a gray Honda Civic around 11:30 p.m. Thursday
Los Angeles Police Department officials said Kurtz was crossing the street at Ventura Boulevard and Melvin Avenue when he was struck by a car driven by the teen.
Kurtz was identified as the victim Friday morning.
James was arrested after a witness alerted authorities an hour after the crash after seeing the suspect’s vehicle “parked strangely with a broken windshield.”
The vehicle matched the description of the car captured on surveillance cameras running over Kurtz.
Kurtz appeared on season 8 of America’s Got Talent in 2006, where he rapped about the judges, but was given three “no” votes.
In 2018, he appeared on James Corden’s The Late Late Show, where he shocked the audience by playing an instrument with his tongue.
Kurtz is pictured with Jay London and Ice House booker Jan Smith in 2012
Kurtz – pictured with Dana Carvey – was on his way between performances when he was killed, his daughter Zelda Valesquez confirmed in a heartbreaking post on social media
Kurtz began his career in the 1970s performing in comedy clubs in LA and New York City and later opened for Williams.
Kurtz gave his final performance in Los Angeles this week. A video of his performance was posted to his account on Thursday, just hours before his death.
His agent, Dante Rusciolelli, paid tribute to Kurtz in a statement to the New York Post, saying: “Golden Artists Entertainment and I are personally devastated by this news. Perry was not only a client, he has been my friend since 1987.
“He has been a fixture in the Los Angeles comedy community for decades and will be deeply missed. Our prayers are with his family.”