About John Henry Kurtz
Lived 1945 – 2008 (aged 62). John Henry Kurtz was an American actor.
John Henry Kurtz (October 24, 1945 – March 8, 2008) was an American singer-songwriter and actor best known for recording an early version of the song "Drift Away", which was later popularized by Dobie Gray.
Biography John Henry Kurtz was born on October 24, 1945, in Havertown, Pennsylvania. He released his first and only studio album, Reunion, in 1972. The album contains "Drift Away", which was written by Mentor Williams. Though many sources cite Kurtz's version as the original, it was actually first recorded by English singer and actor Mike Berry two months earlier, appearing on his 1972 debut album of the same name.
While Kurtz's musical career was unsuccessful, he later turned to acting. He lived most of his life in Vail, Colorado, and moved to New York City in 1981. He also served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. A resident of Cape May, New Jersey, Kurtz died of cancer at Cape Regional Medical Center on March 8, 2008.
Filmography
Film
Television
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Henry Kurtz?
actor (1945–2008)
When was John Henry Kurtz born?
John Henry Kurtz was born on 24 October 1945 in Havertown.
When did John Henry Kurtz die?
John Henry Kurtz died on 8 March 2008 in Cape May.
What was John Henry Kurtz's occupation?
John Henry Kurtz was an actor.
What nationality was John Henry Kurtz?
John Henry Kurtz was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Henry Kurtz. https://biography.guide/john-henry-kurtz/
MLA: "John Henry Kurtz." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-henry-kurtz/.
Chicago: "John Henry Kurtz." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-henry-kurtz/.
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