‘Good Burger’ movie actor dies at 52: Buzz

An actor best known for his role in the ‘90s movie “Good Burger” is dead at age 52.

E! News reports Jan “JP” Schwieterman died Feb. 28 after a battle with stage 4 cancer, according to his brother. Additional details were not disclosed.

“He recently found out he had an aggressive form of stage 4 cancer and passed yesterday evening,” Chad Schwieterman wrote March 1 on Facebook. “Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this difficult time. Rest in peace, brother. We love you and miss you.”

Jan Schwieterman famously played Kurt Bozwell, the villainous owner of Mondo Burger, in the 1997 film “Good Burger.” His character was a rival to Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell’s characters, fast food workers Dexter and Ed, in a spinoff from their sketch comedy show “All That.”

“You mess with Kurt, and you go in the grinder,” Schwieterman’s character repeatedly said.

Schwieterman also had roles in a dozen other movies and TV shows, including “Felicity,” “ER,” “McKenna,” “Undressed” and “Warlock III: The End of Innocence.”

According to his obituary, Schwieterman was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America while growing up in Berger, Missouri, before moving to California to pursue an acting career. He also loved to travel, paint, study martial arts and play Dungeons & Dragons.

“Very sad!!! Sending love to his family!!!” Thompson, who went on to become the longest tenured “Saturday Night Live” cast member, wrote on Instagram.

Mitchell, who is set to star in “Anything Goes” at the OFC Creations Theatre Center in Rochester next month, also paid tribute with a clip of him and Schwieterman.

“Rest in Heaven Jan Schwieterman aka ‘Kurt’… This car scene with Kurt and Ed lives rent-free in so many fans’ minds—you truly helped make the movie iconic,” Mitchell wrote. “I know God is giving you a mondo hug right now. Thank you for the laughs and legacy, Jan. Sending love and prayers to his family during this time. Forever part of the Good Burger family.”

Thompson and Mitchell reprised their roles in the 2023 sequel, “Good Burger 2,” opposite returning cast members Lori Beth Denberg, Carmen Electra, Josh Server, George Clinton and Shar Jackson.

Schwieterman is not the first “Good Burger” actor fans have said goodbye to. Abe Vigoda, of “The Godfather” and “Barney Miller” fame, and Ron Lester, also known for playing Billy Bob in “Varsity Blues,” both died in 2016.