Comedian Perry Kurtz, victim of a tragic hit-and-run accident, “loved being a father”

The late comedian Perry Kurtz “loved being a father.”

The tragic stand-up comedian, who made a name for himself through his appearances on the eighth season of “America's Got Talent” and a crazy appearance on the “Late Late Show with James Corden,” died on Thursday (15.08.24) at the age of 73 in a hit-and-run accident in the Los Angeles district of Tarzana. His death was announced on Friday.

A source has now told Mail Online what a dedicated father he was: “His phone screensaver showed a picture of his daughter and every time you spoke to him he would ask you how you were and always boast in a grand way about his daughter and what she was up to.”

“He really loved being a father.”

The insider shared his memory of Perry's love as a father after his girlfriend Zelda Velazquez confirmed his death in a Facebook post.

Perry's friends also revealed to MailOnline that two nights before he was hit by a car, the TV star sang Billie Eilish songs at a karaoke event – and told his friends there that he was planning a comeback on “America's Got Talent.”

One said: “Last Tuesday while singing karaoke he talked about how excited he was to audition for 'AGT' again.

“He was excited to do stand-up and had a few performances planned at senior living facilities over the next few months.”

The insider added that Billie's hit “Bad Guy” was Perry's favorite backing track when he was having fun at karaoke bars.

They spoke out after his agent Dante Rusciolelli published a tribute to him in the New York Post.

She said: “Golden Artists Entertainment and I are personally devastated by this news.

“Perry was not just a customer, he has been my friend since 1987.

“He was a fixture in the Los Angeles comedy scene for decades and will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with his family.”