Guide Note

Andy Kaufman was an avant-garde American comedian and television actor who began his career by pretending to be a "Foreign Man" from the made up country Caspiar at stand up comedy clubs, and never broke character. "Foreign Man" later evolved into the role of "Latka" on the television series Taxi, which also starred Judd Hirsh, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Christopher Lloyd and Tony Danza.

Kaufman had an alternate persona named Tony Clifton, who was an obnoxious lounge singer that would berate his audiences. Whenever people would ask Clifton about his connection to Andy Kaufman, Clifton would flare up and vehemently deny any kind of relationship between the two.

Kaufman also had a passion for wrestling, and had an ongoing rivalry with Jerry The King Lawler which lasted for years.

In April of 1979, Kaufman gave a legendary performance in Carnegie Hall, which was known as the "The Milk and Cookies Show".

Kaufman died on May 16, 1984, as the result of a rare, large-cell, carcinoma. He was 35 years old.

Fast Facts

1. Born: January 17, 1949
2. Died: May 16, 1984
3. Did not consider himself a comedian
4. Named the celebrity who most likely faked his own death
5. Diagnosed with a rare, large-cell, carcinoma lung cancer
6. Jim Carrey plays him in the film Man on the Moon
7. Had a daughter but was given up for adoption