Actor J.P. Schwieterman, Good Burger Villain, Dies at 52

WASHINGTON, Mo. — Jan Patrick “J.P.” Schwieterman, best known for portraying the antagonist Kurt Bozwell in the 1997 Nickelodeon film “Good Burger,” passed away on February 28, 2025, due to complications from stage 4 cancer. He was 52 years old.

Schwieterman died at Mercy Hospital in Washington, according to his obituary and a Facebook post from his brother Chad Schwieterman, who described the loss as a profound shock. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my brother, Jan (JP) Schwieterman,” Chad wrote. “He recently found out he had an aggressive form of stage 4 cancer and passed yesterday evening. 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.”

Born on September 30, 1972, in Bluffton, Indiana, Schwieterman was a proud Eagle Scout during his youth. After graduating high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He gained early experience with guest roles in television series such as “McKenna,” “ER,” and “Forever.”n

His breakout role came in “Good Burger,” where he played Kurt Bozwell, owner of the rival fast-food establishment Mondo Burger, opposite comedians Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. The film, which featured actors such as Sinbad and Shaquille O’Neal, became a cult classic. Following “Good Burger,” Schwieterman appeared in several other projects, including guest spots on the series “Felicity” and the 1999 film “Warlock III: The End of Innocence.”

In 2007, Schwieterman starred in the indie film “Along the Way,” which marked his last credited role after a seven-year hiatus from acting. He did not reprise his character in the recent sequel to “Good Burger,” released in 2023.

In addition to acting, Schwieterman had many artistic interests, including photography and painting. He was also an enthusiastic traveler, having recently visited Thailand. His brother highlighted Schwieterman’s passion for martial arts and gaming, stating, “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.”

Family and friends are grieving the loss and remember Schwieterman for his passion for life and love for travel. His memorial service was held on March 4.

Schwieterman is survived by his parents, LeeRoy Schwieterman and Clara Reed, as well as two sisters, Megan and Vanessa, his brother Chad, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family has requested that any donations be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in his memory.