Kurt grew up in Spearfish, South Dakota in the Black Hills—where his parents still live—after being born in Newcastle, Wyoming. He studied theater at Black Hills State University under Al Sandau, then headed to California after graduation hoping to make it as an actor. Life had other plans, though. His daughter was born around that time, and the family eventually relocated to Houston, Texas, where he's been based ever since.

He got back into acting in 2001, picking up an agent later that year. Since then he's landed work in commercials, industrials, and films. He's expressed interest in pursuing larger national projects moving forward.