Devastated friends of comedian Perry Kurtz have revealed the TV star had been happily singing Billie Eilish songs at karaoke just two nights before he was hit by a car on Thursday night.
The 73-year-old, who had appeared on America’s Got Talent and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, was traveling between concerts when he was killed, his daughter Zelda Velazquez confirmed in a heartbreaking social media post on Friday.
Now, those close to the late comedian have shared their shock and heartbreak with DailyMail.com as they recall the star’s final days, as well as his plans to audition once again for AGT.
“Last Tuesday, while doing karaoke, he was talking about how much he was looking forward to auditioning for AGT again,” the source revealed. “He was looking forward to doing stand-up comedy and also had some shows planned at senior living communities in the coming months.”
The source explained that Eilish’s smash hit Bad Guy was her go-to song while hanging out at karaoke bars.
Comedian Perry Kurtz was looking forward to upcoming gigs and spending time at karaoke bars with friends days before he died at age 73 after being hit by a car in a hit-and-run crash.
‘“He would always improvise rapping and dancing and acting to Billie Eilish’s song Bad Guy during karaoke and not sing the actual lyrics and just add his humor which always ended up being a little bit raunchy but always funny,” they continued.
Kurtz had a close friendship with Robin Williams, for whom he opened, before the star’s death in 2014.
He would regale his peers with “day-long stories” about the late comedian, and was always “chasing his next career goal and how to make people laugh and be on TV.”
They added: “Although it was tragic the way he left, he would love for everyone to be talking about him right now.”
The source also highlighted how dedicated Kurtz was as a father, stating: “His phone screensaver had a picture of his daughter on it 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. He really loved being a dad.
TMZ confirmed that Kurtz died in Tarzana, LA, after a collision around 11:30 p.m. Thursday involving a gray Honda Civic.
The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Police arrested an 18-year-old suspect, named Naithon James, on suspicion of hit-and-run causing death, according to fox.
People close to the late comedian have shared their shock and heartbreak with DailyMail.com as they recall the star’s final days and his career plans for the future.
The star is pictured with James Corden on The Late Late Show in 2018.
Kurtz died in an incident in Tarzana, LA, after a collision around 11:30 p.m. Thursday involving a gray Honda Civic.
Los Angeles Police Department officials said Kurtz was crossing the street at Ventura Boulevard and Melvin Avenue when a car driven by the teenager struck him.
Kurtz was identified as the victim on Friday morning.
James was arrested after a witness contacted authorities an hour after the crash because he saw the suspect’s vehicle “parked oddly with a cracked windshield.”
The vehicle matched the description of the car captured on security cameras when it hit Kurtz.
Kurtz appeared on season 8 of America’s Got Talent in 2006, where he rapped about the judges, but received three “No’s.”
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 Ice House booker Jay London and Jan Smith in 2012
Kurtz, pictured with Dana Carvey, was travelling between gigs when he was killed, his daughter Zelda Valesquez confirmed in a heartbreaking social media post.
Kurtz began his career in the 1970s performing at comedy clubs in Los Angeles and New York and later opened for Williams.
Kurtz performed his final show in Los Angeles this week (with a video of his performance posted to his account on Thursday), 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 just a client, he has been a friend of mine since 1987.
“He has been a staple of the Los Angeles comedy community for decades and will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with his family.”