Jan Patrick “J.P.” Schwieterman, known for his role as Kurt Bozwell in the 1997 Nickelodeon film “Good Burger,” passed away on February 28, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri. He was 52.
His brother Chad Schwieterman confirmed the actor’s death on Facebook, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my brother, Jan (JP) Schwieterman. He recently found out he had an aggressive form of stage 4 cancer.”
Family members indicated that Schwieterman’s death was unexpected due to the recent and rapid progression of his cancer diagnosis.
Born in Bluffton, Indiana, approximately 35 miles south of Fort Wayne, Schwieterman became an Eagle Scout before pursuing an acting career. He moved to Los Angeles after high school to begin his career, gaining roles on television shows.
In 1994, Schwieterman began his television career with roles in ABC’s “McKenna” and NBC’s “ER,” appearing as Daniel Quinn. He also appeared on shows like “Forever” and “Felicity,” where he played Lewis during its first season.
His breakthrough came in 1997 when he played Kurt Bozwell, the antagonist in “Good Burger,” a film starring Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Sinbad, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Following “Good Burger,” Schwieterman acted in films like “Warlock III: The End of Innocence” and “American Intellectuals,” and appeared in “Wasted” and MTV’s “Undressed.”
After 2000, he took a break from acting, returning in 2007 in the indie film “Along the Way,” his final screen appearance. He did not reprise his role as Kurt Bozwell for “Good Burger 2” in 2023.
Outside acting, Schwieterman was passionate about travel and the arts. His obituary noted, “J.P. loved to travel. He has traveled to many countries throughout his life, most recently to Thailand. He was an artist of photography and painting. He studied martial arts and loved playing Dungeons and Dragons.”
Schwieterman’s friends and family remember him as a person with varied interests who pursued them wholeheartedly.
Schwieterman is survived by his parents, Clara and LeeRoy Schwieterman, his brother Chad, sisters Megan and Vanessa, and nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service took place on March 4, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, his family requested donations to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, a leading cancer research and treatment institution.
Schwieterman’s death has evoked nostalgia among “Good Burger” fans, who remember his portrayal of Kurt Bozwell as a key part of their childhood memories. While he stepped back from acting later in life, his role in the film left a lasting impression on a generation of viewers.
