Andy Kaufman

Actor

January 17, 1949 (35 years)

† May 16, 1984

New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Andrew Geoffrey "Andy" Kaufman (January 17, 1949 – May 16, 1984) was an American entertainer, actor and performance artist. While often referred to as a comedian, Kaufman did not consider himself to be one. He disdained telling jokes and engaging in comedy as it was traditionally understood, referring to himself instead as a "song-and-dance man." Elaborate hoaxes and pranks were major elements of his career. His act maintains a cult following and he continues to be respected among comedians for …

Filmography

7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Self

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

6.9

Saturday Night Live

Self - Stand-up Act

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.

6.1

Late Night with David Letterman

Self - Guest

Late Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC that was created and hosted by David Letterman. It premiered in 1982 as the first incarnation of the Late Night franchise and went off the air in 1993, after Letterman left NBC and moved to Late Show on CBS. Late Night with Conan O'Brien then filled the time slot. As of March 2, 2009, the slot has been filled by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It will be filled by Seth Meyers in the spring of 2014, after Fallon becomes host of The Tonight Show.

7.3

Taxi

Latka Gravas

Louie De Palma is a cantankerous, acerbic taxi dispatcher in New York City. He tries to maintain order over a collection of varied and strange characters who drive for him. As he bullies and insults them from the safety of his “cage,” they form a special bond among themselves, becoming friends and supporting each other through the inevitable trials and tribulations of life.

7.0

Dinah!

Self

Dinah's show premiered 9 September 1974 and continued through to 4 September 1981. She started out the 70's with Dinah's Place which usually featured one guest and was more of a home oriented show about cooking, crafts and occasionally music. This format lasted until May of 1974. When the show came back in October of 1974 the format had changed drastically to a variety talk show which was called Dinah. and went on until 1981. This show was also known as "Dinah and Friends" during the summer of 1976.

8.0

USWA Championship Wrestling

Andy Kaufman

Jerry Jarrett's Continental Wrestling Assocation (CWA) Wrestling show on WMC-TV, later renamed to "Championship Wrestling Association" and keeping the same CWA name around the time Jerry Lawler joined Jerry Jarrett in running the show. After Jarrett and Lawler purchased the rights to World Class Wrestling Association's "World Class Championship Wrestling" shows in the Dallas area, both the Dallas shows and the CWA show were rebranded under the "United States Wrestling Association" name. This show was rebranded to "USWA Championship Wrestling." The show ended in 1997.

6.0

Fridays

Self - Guest Host

Fridays is the name of ABC's weekly late-night live comedy show, which aired on Friday nights from April 11, 1980 to April 23, 1982.

5.0

Legends

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

The story of the big names that have shaped the musical genres, plus an occasional stopgap for the new rock 'n' roll - comedy.

8.1

O.J.: Made in America

Self (archive footage)

The rise and fall of American football star, O.J. Simpson, from his days growing up in Los Angeles to his murder trial that polarized the country.

6.0

Van Dyke and Company

Self

Short-lived variety show starring Dick Van Dyke and assorted guests. The show was best known for Dick's pantomime acting and a recurring skit about the dumbest family in the world, coincidently named "The Bright Family". Van Dyke & Co also featured appearances by the Los Angeles Mime Company.

7.8

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Self (archive footage)

Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.

4.5

Heartbeeps

Val

Two domestic robots fall in love and run off together.

5.8

God Told Me To

Police Assassin

A New York detective investigates a series of murders committed by random citizens who claim that 'God told them to'.

6.3

Stick Around

Andy, The Robot

Stick Around was an unsold television pilot for ABC, starring Andy Kaufman. Only one episode was ever made, airing on May 30, 1977. Kaufman portrayed Andy, a run-down servant robot in the future. He used the same voice of his "Foreign Man" character that would one day become the signature voice of Latka Gravas on Taxi. The pilot also starred Nancy New and Fred McCarren as Elaine and Vance Keefer, a married couple in the year 2055. The plot of the episode revolves around Andy the robot's inadequacies as an older model, and whether or not they should replace him. Vance owns an antique store, and there are a lot of jokes that revolve around his misconceptions about the antiques he has, all of which are common household appliances of the 1970s. Vance is very frustrated by Andy's incompetence but eventually he and Elaine decide to keep him. Andy would revive the robot character to some degree in the 1981 film Heartbeeps.

7.3

Thank You Very Much

Self (archive footage)

Andy Kaufman's provocative comedy often outraged audiences, challenging them to confront their own presumptions. Through never-before-seen footage and intimate recollections, filmmaker Alex Braverman explores Kaufman’s brief but impactful life and career. As the lines between performance and reality blur in our present age, Kaufman’s genius resonates more than ever.

7.8

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show

Tony Clifton

Miss Piggy hosts her own variety show, with special guests John Ritter, George Hamilton and Tony Clifton (Andy Kaufman). Under the direction of Kermit the Frog, the Muppets work in the control room and, amidst chaos, manage to keep the show on the air. Throughout the show, a romantic triangle develops among Piggy, Ritter (who is smitten with the pig) and Hamilton (who is deeply uncomfortable with the star's romantic inclinations).

N/A

Stick Around

Andy, the Robot

It's the year 2055 and things are better for the human race, except for Vance. The Keefer family deals with daily life in the future and their older and malfunctioning robot servant, which Vance is tired of.

N/A

Andy Kaufman Is Me

Self (archive footage)

A rare window into the enigmatic mind of comedy legend Andy Kaufman through his never-before-heard audio diary recordings. As marionette puppets bring his unfinished book to life, family and friends unveil the real person behind the provocative public persona in this captivating documentary.

8.8

It's Good To Be The King: The Jerry Lawler Story

Himself

You hear his voice calling the action every week on WWE's flagship show, Monday Night Raw, but there is more to being king other than having the best seat in the house! In this regal new documentary, Jerry "The King" Lawler shares the amazing story of his rise to royalty. Follow the WWE Hall of Famer from his early days to his championship-laden career in the ring, his incomparable reign at the broadcast table and a king-sized list of accolades along the way. Friends and peers also join The King for this revealing look inside the life of this enduring and revered figure in sports entertainment.

6.3

I'm from Hollywood

Self (archive footage)

I'm from Hollywood is about the adventures of late performance artist Andy Kaufman in the world of professional wrestling. This film includes interviews with Taxi co-stars Marilu Henner and Tony Danza and interviews with comedian Robin Williams, wrestler Jerry Lawler, wrestling commentator Lance Russell, and Kaufman's best friend, Bob Zmuda. Other people seen in the film include TV host David Letterman and Jimmy Hart of Continental Wrestling Association. The film's title refers to a phrase spoken by Kaufman to the Memphis wrestling audience.