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"Change What You Can; Accept What You Can´t Change" - Interview with Perry Kurtz
August 19, 2024
By Bessy ADUT
It saddens my heart that a few days ago I have received the news that Perry lost his life in a hit-and-run accident. It is so very strange how unexpected life is. I had an opportunity to meet him at a July 4th event where he mentioned his past friendship with Robin Williams and afterward he answered my questions for this interview. I had no idea he would be joining him so very soon in the after life. It is very unfortunate that he passed before he even had a chance to see his last published interview. This interview outlives him. I also would like to share his children’s GoFundMe page for any contributions and support during this difficult time.
In 1979, Perry moved to San Francisco from Philly, and pursued comedy in real comedy clubs on the road. A few years later, he was averaging 45 weeks a year headlining comedy clubs & corporate and private events across North America and Canada. He has performed at everything from tractor pulls to The National Organization of Women Convention in San Francisco in 1987, to The Black and White Ball at Louise Davies Hall in San Francisco for the then Vice-President George Bush Sr.
He worked closely with and was very good friends with Milton Berle, who became his Comedy Mentor until his death, and Robin Williams, his best friend, with whom he improvised comedy in all types of shows until 2016, Rodney Dangerfield), and had numerous dinners with Bill Cosby where he met Rodney and Milton. He was a writer for 12 years and a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, appeared on Let’s Make A Deal where he rapped and danced AND won, America’s Got Talent, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The New Gong Show, and national commercials.
Just before his birthday in 1989, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he became a paid regular (name is on the wall) at The Comedy Store, The Improv & The Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
During the last 35 years of his life, he had become quite a sensation as a freestyle rapper, actually called "The Legend", who ONLY freestyled about whatever was happening in the room AS it happened, to ANY song and had won 63 rap battles. When he passed away, Perry was still working as a corporate comedian, comedy consultant, humor motivator, and instructor, and continued appearing in comedy clubs, corporate events, and senior locations worldwide.
*While reading this interview please bear in mind that it's in the present tense as he himself answered the questions prior to his passing away...
Where are you currently residing?
Reseda, From Philadelphia
Please share how you got started and got to where you are today...
I gave up drinking in 1973 and started comedy the next week.
Has it been a smooth road?
No. It's been a struggle all the way. Finding work is very hard. Doing the shows is easy.
Tell us more about your life and career...
Perry Kurtz was born (?) in 1951 in Philadelphia’s Children’s Hospital at 2:32 AM at an undisclosed weight. As a 10-year-old Cub Scout (they had no membership restrictions in those days), he briefly entered the entertainment arena when he threw his voice into a sock and began giving puppet shows (at gunpoint) at local playgrounds. (Therapy was later provided to the children free of charge)
Graduating from Northeast High School in 1968, he attended The Hussian School of Commercial Art in downtown Philly. After graduating in 1972 (and paying off his instructors to pass him), he began freelancing for national label companies producing finished art for Pepsi, Tab, Sprite, Levi Strauss, Gerber, and Polaroid, including the design of the Seven Up "bubble pattern" logo in '73 (for a measly 1000 bucks) (Really!!). In 1974, he became the art director of a religious publishing house just outside of Philly, making an outrageous amount of money.
After a year of high-pressure, a nervous breakdown from overwork, and people constantly asking, "What are you? A comedian?", his close friends suggested that he should (just leave town or) get into comedy. He entered a talent show at The Crazy Horse Saloon in Barrington, New Jersey, taking a $500 first prize for just babbling away. (Hey, it was Jersey). He quit the day job, took a comedy workshop (cash upfront) and lived on his savings until 1979. Then, with his last $200, a suitcase, electric guitar, and roller skates he had equipped with headlights, he decided to take BOTH suggestions and moved to San Francisco to become a “real” comedian.
Three months later he got his first paying "gig" as the emcee and manager at the now-closed, Off-Broadway Male Burlesque Club on Broadway in North Beach. A few weeks later, at the request of screaming female patrons (they were blind), he gave birth to his "Comic Strip Routine" parody, which he occasionally opens with. (He only takes off his jacket and women STILL give him money). (Some offer more for him to put it back on)
In 1984, he left the "Broadway Scene" and pursued comedy in real comedy clubs on the road. A few years later, he was averaging 45 weeks a year headlining comedy clubs and corporate and private events across North America and Canada. He has performed at everything from tractor pulls to The National Organization of Women Convention in San Francisco in 1987, to The Black and White Ball at Louise Davies Hall in San Francisco for the then Vice-President George Bush Sr.
He has worked closely with and was very good friends with Milton Berle, who became his Comedy Mentor until his death, & Robin Williams with whom he improvised comedy in all types of shows until 2016, Rodney Dangerfield (headlined his NY room 4 times a year for 5 years), and had numerous dinners with Bill Cosby where he met Rodney and Milton. He was a writer for 12 years and a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, appeared on Let’s Make A Deal where he rapped and danced AND won, America’s Got Talent, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The New Gong Show, and national commercials including a Meiers spot during the Olympics.
Just before his birthday in 1989, he relocated to Los Angeles, when he became a paid regular (name is on the wall) at The Comedy Store, The Improv & The Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
He has taught comedy to over 500 private students, and over 3000 at seminars at UCLA. Some wanted to be comedians. Some just wanted to be funny. In the past 35 years, he has become quite a sensation as a freestyle rapper, actually called "The Legend", who ONLY freestyles about whatever is happening in the room AS it happens, to ANY song, & has won 63 rap battles.
He has taught comedy to over 500 private students, and over 3000 at seminars at UCLA. Some wanted to be comedians. Some just wanted to be funny. In the past 35 years, he has become quite a sensation as a freestyle rapper, actually called "The Legend", who ONLY freestyles about whatever is happening in the room AS it happens, to ANY song, & has won 63 rap battles.
What do you think goodness is?
People like you.
Who are you outside of your professional life?
Generally, a pleasant person who likes people and likes to make them smile.
Are you interested in environmental issues?
Not really. I can't do anything about them. So I let them go.
Do you think the world is not a good place right now?
It's livable. You can't really control the outside influences. You can only control yourself. Be a good person.
How do you make the world a better place?
Change what you can. And accept what you can't.
How can we all make the world better?
Try to be nice to everyone.
How can science and spirituality coexist?
I can't even figure out how I exist.
If you could go anywhere, where would you go (and why)?
Hawaii. I love to swim.
Please let us know anything else you’d like to share...
That's all I can think of right now.
Could you please provide shareable links (website, social media)?
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnaxR-kviybLFdliEM7Nczg
FB: Perry Kurtz Comedy & Music
IG: Perryfunny
Google: Perry Kurtz
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