Perry Kurtz

Description

I am a working full time comedian of 51 years, been on The Tonight Show, The Late Late Show with James Corden (which got 53 million views), America's Got Talent, Let's Make A Deal, and many other shows as well as national commercials.
My show is about the people in the room. As I have 18 hours of material, I create my show on the spot to match the needs of the crowd and the show producer(you). It's all GP rated (clean unless otherwise noted), interactive, & motivational.
Birthdays are extra special because I write material about the birthday person based on info I get from family and friend ... s. It's a Toast, not a roast.
At the end of the show, I pull out my keytar and make up a song about whatever they are doing AS they do it, and get them to sing along. Sometimes, they dance too.
My fee is based on how many people are in attendance, show length, and any special needs. Contact me and let's discuss it. You will have a show and birthday party no one has ever seen before. Read More

Biography

Perry Kurtz was born(?) in Philadelphia at 2:32am. at Doctors Hospital. As a 10 year old Cub Scout (they had no membership restrictions in those days), he briefly entered the entertainment field when he threw his voice into a sock and began giving puppet shows (at gunpoint) at local playgrounds. 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 creating finished art for Pepsi, Tab, Sprite, Levi Strauss, Gerber ... , and Polaroid, including the design of the Seven Up "bubble pattern" logo in '74(for a measly 300 bucks) (Really!!). In 1976, he became the art director of a religious publishing house just outside of Northeast Philadelphia making an outrageous amount of money.
After 2 years of high pressure, a nervous breakdown from overwork, and people constantly asking, "What are you? A comedian?", his close friends advised that he should (just leave town or) get into comedy. He quit his directorship in 1977 and entered a talent show at The Crazy Horse Saloon in New Jersey, taking a $250 first prize for singing a parody of "Eleanor Rigby" as Jerry Lewis. He took a comedy workshop (cash was paid upfront) and lived on his savings until 1979. Then, with his last $500, a suitcase, electric guitar, and roller skates he equipped with headlights, he moved to San Francisco to become a comedian.
His first paying "gig" was as the emcee and manager at the now-closed, Off Broadway Male Burlesque Club on Broadway in North Beach working 6 nights a week and making WAY too much money. In 1984, he left the "Broadway Scene" and pursued comedy in real comedy clubs. By 1986 he was headlining comedy clubs around the U.S. When is San Francisco, he spent a lot of time "working out" at the Holy City Zoo Comedy Club in San Francisco, where he improvised with Robin Williams 2 to 3 hours a week for 10 years.. (He has followed Robin 13 times at management request)
Just before his birthday in 1989, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he became a paid regular at The Comedy Store (the money sucks) in Hollywood and Dangerfields in New York City. He now lives in Los Angeles, has been married 33 years to the same woman, has 4 kids, 34, 36, 37 and 19 year old, Riley, a KPO{P Dancer, who dances like she has been on Broadway forever.
Perry continues to work as an Entertainer/Comedian, comedy consultant and instructor, Humor Motivator, voice-over artist, is the ONLY True Freestyle Rap Artist/Hip Hop Dancer, Free-Lance Tonight Show Writer, and appears at comedy clubs, colleges, as well as public, private, and corporate events around the world. Read More

Reviews     (10 Reviews)

Experience

Perry Kurtz
Comedian and Entertainer
Non-Union
Email: perrykurtz@gmail.com
Television
The New Gong Show as The Comedic Keytarist ABC 2018
The Late Late Show with James Corden Featured Performer CBS 2018
America’s Got Talent Contestant (Rapper & Dancer) NBC 2013
Let’s Make A Deal Contestant (Winner) CBS 2013
We The People Mark Rennick, Plaintiff CBS 2014
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Free Lance Writer & Guest NBC 2012
Extreme Gong Show Contestant(Winner) The Game Show Network 1992 to Present
America's Funniest People ... Featured NBC 1985
The Good Time Café Comedian A&E Network 1986
Dangerfield’s Young Comedians Showcase HBO 1984
Partners In Crime Restaurant Patrons(Multiple Roles) NBC 1987
The Love Connection & Best Of Love Connection (Winner) NBC 1985 to Present
Commercials
Booking.com - Be A Booker Tango Dancer 2019
Meijer Food, Olympic - Torch Grandpa Passing The Torch 2017
Canadian Real Estate Association Janitor 2016
Training
Trained the teenagers of That's So Raven TV show in Comedy and Improv Techniques 2004-2006
Comedy and Humor Instruction at numerous Adult Schools around Los Angeles 2000-2010
3 Humor in Life & Sales Seminars at UCLA for over 2000 each for students & business people 1995-2009
Over 671 private comedy students to ”Be a Comedian or Just Seem Like One” 1990-Present
Film
A-Hole Lawyer Industrial Training Film for CAPS 2016
James Bond AT&T Industrial - Explaining new calling features 1987
Stand-Up Comedy Clubs(As A Paid Performer) *=Headliner (More On Request)
Catch A Rising Star – Reno & Las Vegas, NV
Dangerfields* – NY & Las Vegas
The Comedy Store Hollywood (Name Is On The Wall) & La Jolla, CA
The Comedy Zones - FL*, SC*, NC*, GA*,TX*, AL*, NJ*, PA*, MS*
The Comedy Underground*- Seattle & Spokane
The Ice House – Pasadena
The Improvisation - L.A., San Francisco, San Jose
The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club - Universal City
The Laugh Factory - Hollywood
Laughs*-Seattle
The Punchlines – CA*, FL*, GA*, SC*, WA*
Music Video
Drinking Beer & Smoking Cigarettes (Over 2.3 million views & 26K comments) Jon Lajoie Prods. 2012
Voiceovers
Wompler Turkeys Thankgiving Turkey WROQ, Greenville, SC 1992
Weekly Caller As Dr. Ruth Howard Stern Show 1993-1998
Other Appearances
LA Comedy Awards Winner For Most Viral New Video, Laugh Factory 2013
LA Comedy Awards Winner For Most Hilarious Standup 2009-11
Host Of The Southern California AA Music Concert, Anaheim Hyatt Regency 2009
Host Of The Long Beach Labor Day Concert & Host Of The Marina Del Rey Music Festival 1995-97
Coca Cola Corporate Xmas Party, Anderson, SC 1995
Annual Host of The Southern California AA Roundup Comedy Nights 1994-2015
The Friars Club congratulated for a clean set by Phyllis Diller, Joey Bishop, Shecky Green & Johnny Carson(through Milton) 1989
The National Organization of Women Convention, San Francisco 1987 & 1991
Host Of The Black & White Ball W/V.P. George Bush Sr., Louise Davies Hall, SF 1986
Host Of The San Francisco Exotic Erotic Halloween Ball 1982-1989
Also
Close friends and mentored by Rodney Dangerfield & Milton Berle from 1984 till their passing, Hundreds of Retirement homes & Senior Centers, Hospitals, Elk & Moose Lodges, Veterans Homes & Hospitals, Bar Mitzvahs, Foster Homes, Weddings, Anniversaries, Funerals; Opened or featured for or followed=% Comedians: Robin Williams%(13x), Rick Overton%(9x), Jerry Seinfeld, Rodney Dangerfield%(11x), Milton Berle%, Sam Kinison%(6x), Andrew Dice Clay%(9x), Ellen DeGeneres (2 weeks together in Reno), Dave Chapelle, Rosanne Barr, Tom Arnold, Kevin Pollack, Kevin Meaney%(8x), Eddie Griffin%, Dana Carvey%, Richard Pryor%(9x), Paula Poundstone, Paul Mooney%(12x), Rosie O'Donnel, Larry Miller, Bill Maher, Whoopi Goldberg%, and Bob Saget, been insulted by Don Rickles after his set at The Friars Club in 1988, opened for The Blue Oyster Cult in 1985; and was asked to sing his "Totally Narrational Improvisational Blues" with Big Brother & The Holding Company, The Chris Isaak Band, It's A Beautiful Day, Hootie & The Blowfish, The Jefferson Starship, Night Ranger, The Robert Cray Band, Great White (2 weeks before the fire), Huey Lewis And The News, The Tubes on New Years Eve at The SF Palace of Fine Arts, The Greg Allman Band (2x), Clarence Clemmons, Sammy Hagar (2x), War (2x), The Tommy Castro Band, B.B. King (who almost dropped his guitar while laughing), and Fleetwood Mac.
Skills
Proud Father of 4; Electric Guitar, Rhythm And Lead; Some Keyboards; Life Drawing, Painting And Instruction; Photography; Swimming; Vocals; Dance; Hip Hop Dance; True Freestyle Rapping; Narrative Blues; Computers; Sales Training; Radio Host And Guest; Host/Emcee; Ventriloquism; Ice Skating; Dozens Of Accents And Characters; Horseback Riding Western; Parasail; Waverunner Jet Skis; an Amazing Dr. Ruth Impression, oral keytar playing; CA Driver's License
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Previous Clients

LA Comedy Awards Winner for Most Hilarious Standup 2009, 2010,2011
Virtual Click Marketing Holiday Party, Marina del Rey, CA 12/23/2010
Guaranteed Financial Services Holiday Party, Las Vegas, NV 12/21/2008
Power Tax Relief Holiday Party, Glendale, CA 12/22/2007
Host of the Southern California AA Music Concert, Anaheim Hyatt Regency 8/4/2007
Headlined the Lone Wolf Tour of U.S. Military Bases in Japan and Korea June 2007
NADN Xmas Party, Las Vegas, NV 12/12/2004
Santa Monica Pier, P ... acific Park Amusement Park Xmas Party 12/14/2003
Duke Power All Hands Meeting, Greenville, SC 7/25/2002
Coca Cola Corporate Xmas Party, Anderson, SC 12/15/2001
Teaching Stand Up Comedy Classes at L.A.Adult Schools & UCLA 2001-2009
Host of The Long Beach Labor Day Concert 1994-1997
Host of Comedy Nights at The Annual AA Southbay Roundup, Torrance CA 1995-2014
Host of The Marina Del Rey Music Festival May 1993-95
Host of The Black & White Ball, Louise Davies Hall, SF 5/23/1987 Read More

Suitable for

Anniversary Party Awards Ceremony Bachelor / Stag Party Bachelorette / Hen Party Bar / Bat Mitzvah Birthday Party (Adult) Bridal Shower Casinos Charity / Fundraising Event Christening Christmas Party Club Party Cocktail Party / Drinks Reception Community Event Concerts / Tours Conference / Meeting Corporate Event Cruise Ships Dinner Party Engagement Party Festival / Outdoor Event Funeral/Memorial Service Graduation Party Grand Opening Party Halloween Party Hanukkah Celebration High School Reunion HM Forces/Army/Navy/Military Event Holiday / Theme Parks Hotel Event Jewish Wedding New Year's Eve Party Nightclub Event Nursing / Care Home Event Private Party Product Launch / Promotion Restaurant / Bar / Pub Event Retirement Party School Event Session Work Social Club Theaters / Stage Trade Show / Exhibitions University / College Event Virtual Event Wedding Ceremony Wedding Cocktail/Drinks Reception Wedding Reception

Physical Characteristics

Meet the Act

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnaxR-kviybLFdliEM7Nczg
This is my Youtube pages. It is all playlisted so you can go right to what you need.

Additional Information

I can be clean or dirty, or in between. Your choice.
I'm best when I have no safety net. Push me out there, and I will soar.
If you're buying, I'm flying.
ALMOST No Paying Gig refused.

Virtual Services Offer

Personalized and Interactive Comedy & Music About and WITH Your People

I create interactive comedy & music shows on-the-spot. Not only will I write material about your event or people, but I will interact with them to get them into the show, and make THEM the stars. As a comedian that spent 6 years working 2 hours or more each week with Robin Williams in the 80's in San Francisco, and then again appearing with him at many of his shows at The Improv and The Comedy Store through 2014 in Los Angeles, I learned that my improvisational skills are focused on and with the onlookers.
By the end of my show, the crowd, of ANY size, will be singing along to some old songs, and singing along to a new song that I will create about whatever they are doing AS they do it, and getting them to sing along while I play my keytar, seen with me on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2019. The Virtual format allows me to see the crowd AS they see me, and we work immediately as a team. All material is G to X rated on YOUR needs. No 2 shows are the same.
Contact me soon if you have ANY questions

Humor, Entertainment, Training, and Motivation

I have taught comedy and humor education to over 3000 people. Many just wanted to understand why it was funny. Others wanted to naturally funny, as people like funny people. Others wanted to be comedians. Some wanted to use humor to sell. All because they understood WHY it's funny.
In all cases, with the virtual foundation, I can interact instantly to help my "Classmates" (that sounded cool) to be naturally funnier. That means they can make people around them laugh with almost no effort. You see someone you know or work with. They have on a red shirt. You say, I have a shirt the same color at home. You instantly will get, at least, a smile. That is called relative humor. It is based on what is happening NOW.
Everyone likes to laugh. Now YOU can be the reason they are happy.