Here's what they're saying about Andy!
Links:
The Official Andy Kaufman Homepage
Official Man on the Moon Website
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Many know Andy Kaufman as the comedian who played the squeaky-voiced auto mechanic Latka Gravas on TV's "Taxi." Some believe he redefined comedy with his eccentric, often joke-free performances. His countless media stunts and hoaxes often engendered more confusion than appreciation, and countless many dismissed Kaufman and his intrepid approach to entertainment as simply insane. Some even regarded his bizarre death of lung cancer in 1984 as merely the latest of his many escapades. Fifteen years after the fact, there are still people convinced that Andy Kaufman faked his death to consummate the ultimate deception. Although considered a genius by many contemporaries, Kaufman's brand of comedy was offbeat, extremely confrontational, and always misunderstood. He was not an easy man to know or even to like on a personal level. Despite the contradictions, the popular fascination with the "Dada of Ha-Ha" persists today. It will peak on Christmas Day with the opening of "Man on the Moon," directed by Academy Award-winning director Milos Forman and starring Jim Carrey (as Andy), Danny DeVito and Courtney Love. Besides the movie, at least two books on Kaufman are coming out this fall and there will no doubt be a resurgence in radio air play for R.E.M.'s song (from which the title of the movie is taken) and several related documentaries on cable. Bill Zehme, a senior writer at Esquire who has also written for Rolling Stone and Playboy, is renowned for his exceptional flair in authoring stylish celebrity profiles. Zehme's most successful book to date, The Way You Wear Your Hat: Frank Sinatra and the Lost Art of Livin' and two others he coauthored, one with Jay Leno (Leading With My Chin) and the other with Regis Philbin (I'm Only One Man!), may have served as practice for the challenge ahead, because his biography of Kaufman, Lost in the Funhouse, is distinguished in every respect. In writing this superb biography, Zehme effortlessly overcomes what many biographers would consider a major obstacle: sorting out the fact and fiction in Andy's life, much of which was cloaked in illusion, misdirection and lunacy. It was hard to really know what actually occurred behind the scenes as Andy cooked up his most provocative and controversial performances. But as Zehme amply documents in Lost in the Funhouse, Andy manipulated the media constantly, whether raising high-octane hatred from the city of Memphis as a bad guy "rassler," or calling in phony tips to the National Enquirer ("I'm fighting with Bernadette Peters while we film Heartbeeps"). His televised brawl on "Fridays" was as orchestrated as the slap to his face from Jerry Lawler on Letterman's "Late Night." Sometimes (many would argue most of the time) his hoaxes backfired to his detriment. The last two chapters of Zehme's book sadly portray the extent of that damage. Zehme succeeds in shedding new light on Kaufman's short and peculiar life to produce a dynamic portrait of a misunderstood artist. After several years of exhaustive research, Zehme has crafted a book that succeeds on its own terms. It's not a conventional narrator-driven biography, but one that cleverly paints images and events in ways that are entertaining unto themselves. The book's roller-coaster narrative has all the thrill of an amusement-park ride. Despite the adventurous method, Zehme provides the reader with great historical clarity and unmasks many of the myths and legends that have become associated with Kaufman's time in the spotlight. Zehme uses parcels of Kaufman's voluminous writings and candid interviews with Kaufman's family and closest friends to frame key episodes in his life. The book avoids much of the speculation and romanticism of others who have penned articles, websites, and books on Kaufman. In Lost in the Funhouse Zehme reveals that Kaufman's bag of tricks and illusions was fully developed in his teenage years -- so much for claims by others who have been taking credit for many of Kaufman's signature achievements. Andy's nightclub performances, his Carnegie Hall show, and both TV specials (for ABC and PBS) were adult variations of the birthday-party shows he gave for small neighborhood children when he was in his early teens, in which he showed movies on the wall, lip-synched to songs, performed magic tricks and led sing-alongs of "The Cow Goes Moo" and other favorites. (Even his milk-and-cookies idea was something Kaufman thought of in college.) This is fine writing unfettered by sentiment. Zehme has channeled Kaufman in a way Jim Carrey could only dream of attaining. He illuminates the mysteries behind a recognized genius and performer extraordinaire who was also proud, difficult, arrogant, highly intellectual and consumed by self-obsession. Bill Zehme has accomplished what no one else could. He has found an uncanny ability to enter Kaufman's mind and leave us with a compelling impression of the complexities and frailties of a Boy Wonder mincing in a world of disbelieving adults. This epic biography takes us on an unforgettable journey through the funhouse inside of Andyland. Huey Williams Even though Andy died before I was born he had a great influence on me.I love Andy Kaufman and need all of him I can get.He wasn't only funny,you could see how he really was inside.God Bless you Andy and werever you are in Heaven you look down on us and see how great you were and stil are!!!I love you. Terace Genest i have seen MAN ON THE MOON and think it is a great movie. i don't know much about andy, but i would like to. if you could help me out i would be greatful. joseph o'malley recently i saw the movie man on the moon, you never know how it takes part of my soul, i only seen kaufman on taxi, i never knew his career was so long, as i know that latka was andy every day i see taxi only to see him, i'm sure that the movie and the things i read about andy gonna change my life, thx so much for this page. by the way i'm from mexico city. alejandro vela Andy Kaufman was the greatest acter in the world in my veiws. brandon I think that Andy Kaufman wanted to show every one a new kind of staging (comedy/acting). His performances were just very very original, and I am really inspired by what he did in his life. My opinion is that he made television what it is today. Dustin Smith My god, I saw Man on The Moon and now I'm obsessed with learning the less-fabricated truth about his life. He fascinates me beyond anything. As a kid watching Latka I had no idea of his genius... thanks for once being here Andy... Shane Andy was Brilliant, he was a one of a kind Song & dance man. jon car Mr Andy Kaufman is a constant form of inspiration for me. I am an artist and Andy's life and work gives me the kick I need to live everyday as if it's my last. Gareth burt All I have to say is I love Andy and all of his work that he did. I have read his books/biographies and seen all of the video footage he has been in. I'm still in a state of awe and amazement in reflection to the things he had done in his lifetime. He is always going to be my favorite comedian, and I guess that is because of the way he has inspired me, and also, frankly, I really understood where he was coming from and what his comedy was all about! Matt Carleson I am a 17 year old male from Iowa. And although I did not grow up watching him I still care greatly about this great entertainer. I first saw him on a special about him when I was about 6 or seven. Needless to say I fell in love with his form of entertainment. Not to mention him. I care about him so much that the first book I acually read was the book Bob Zmuda wrote about him, entitled Andy Kaufman Revealed. He has effected my life greatly, and I have forever changed because of him. Andy where ever you are I will forever admire you , and thanks for everything. andrew sesker Andy was the Hulk Hogan of comedy. It doesn't matter what he did. The point is that he did it first & did it well. What inspires me about Andy is he didn't have to tell a joke to make you laugh. Although no evidence of Andy's influence is seen in my stand-up routine, I have & always will consider Andy as a major influence. Chris Wood Andy Kauffman was a genious, a very special guy that not everyone could understand... Im in love with his life, I mean, I love the way he lived his life... but a light that shines so bright cannot shine for too long... Andy... youŽll be always here, in my heart, around everyone... because everyone has some Andy inside. Nuria Hey. This is Gil Cohen. I live in Toronto Ontario, and have been fascinated with Andy's life. I'm 16 years old, and I honestly think Andy is still alive. If he told everyone he'd fake his death with CANCER, and then later died of CANCER, then why wouldn't he be pulling a prank? I was born on July 29th, 1984. I never lived in Andy's time, and this means i've never seen any of his live appearences on Fridays, or SNL, or anything. I just wanna say that I bought both of Andy's books.. because it was all I could afford. Bill Zehme's book is awesome and i'm almost done reading it. Zmuda, your book is next. Eee bee da to all the other fans out there, and peace out. Can't wait to c'ya in LIVE andy.. :) Gil Cohen I am a huge, huge fan of Andy G. Kaufmans, and always will be. He is my inspiration. My only regrets are that I wasn't alive when he was. I would have done anything to have met him. Daria Morgendorffer He's special to me because he was a unique human being;not just a unique entertainer. I watch his performances and I see a great deal of talent flowing constantly in his blood. He was the kind of person who's difficult to figure out; yet special in every way you can think of.In "Man on The Moon",no one could've portrayed him better then the amazing Jim Carrey. Thanx! Brianne Andy Kaufman was a great comedian, no, Im sorry he wasnt a comedian. He was the best Song and Dance man to ever live. He reached levels that can only be dreamed of by the normal sane man. Everything he did came from behind these gigantic blinking eyes...and the stuff he did was just flabbergasting. The kind of stuff he did...will never , ever be able to be duplicated. Andy Kaufman, we salute you...and may your soul Rest in Peace. Shawn Kross Andy Kaufman might have been the funniest person of the century, and after reading a book about him I found he was not only funy but he was brilliant. I respect almost everything about Andy Kaufman from foriegn man to Tony Clifton, Andy Kaufman was a genius, and that is why he is my favorite. Daniel Woodrum Hi i'm only 14 and i just started to get into andy kaufman. i think he is/was hillarious!! what i like the most about him was that you never knew if what he ws doing was staged or not! well i gotta run. Jamie I am so intrigued by him ... to me , he is a guy who comes around one in a zillion years ... he is a genius ... i really thought he sued JIM LAWLER ... he got me there ... wherever you are ANDY ... you wont be forgotten. wenggers Andy Kaufman was one of the most ingenious and controversial entertainers of his time. And he will always remain in our hearts..Becky I really love Andy Kaufman. I think that he was the best comedian that ever lived. He was brilliant and the funniest guy. I can't believed that he died the way he did. I know that someday, though, I will be able to meet him. Tiffany Although I was not even realy aware of Andy's existance before i saw Man On The Moon but I have to know, love, and collect the tapes, stills, and other andy related stuff that made him such a comical genius. Andy YOUR THE MAN!!! Dustin W. Andy rules! He's made me laugh, he's pissed me off and when he died he made me cry! The best performer ever! Boomer I only found about Andy after seeing Man On The Moon, just like a large proportion of the new generation. The film had an amazing inpact on my life. He was one of those people who always seemed busy. His Humour somehow I understood. Although that being a bold statement I feel I understood him more than a large proportion of the audiances he 'GOOFED' for. What an amazing human being. I say 'Long live the King'. Shane H. This is a very nice site. Speaking of sites, (ahem), I have just created an Andy site of my own and the address is www.geocities.com/mr_x_serpico/Eternal_Andy.html. I worked REALLY hard on it and I'd love to know what you think about it. Have a nice day! :) Tracii Hanes = I've been learning about Andy's life and its amazing . I think Andy is the best black humor comedian in the whole world. nelson acosta Andy was a genius. He was an entertainer, and he was one of the best people America have had. to this day, I think Andy is still alive waiting for the perfect time to pop out and surprise the whole world. Minas Fakrajian I think Andy has such an effect on us still is because we really loved him so much and no one could ever do what he did he is a genius he really is. samantha He reminds me of when I was a child, pulling silly stunts. What I find most inspiring is the way he transfixed the audiences with these silly but incredible mind-benders. Its true, they'll never be another who could be so brilliant in such a complex form of comedy. Why did he have to die so young? brenda Andy was a verry unique man of his century and I think that many people didn't understand him,but andy made all of us love him. stephen Andy Kaufman ,to me, reflected everything I love about the arts. Be it music, audience reaction to good/bad guy stereotypes, comedy, awkwardness, love, hate, indifference, willingness to push the limits of people's expectations until they didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or cringe. He was true to himself always. God bless. Ben Jones Andy, you are truly missed. Chad Farr Andy, I know you're somewhere out there reading this and laughing your ass off. Thinking about all the people youve fooled. I am a giant fan and I truly believe that you are still here. For the love of God Andy, the joke is over, come back. You are a true comical genius and oneday i hope to carry on your legacy, thats how dedicated I am to you. If you read this, please contact me in some way. Ben Murray Andy Kaufman was a funny entertainer and a good Latka. Robert Gonzales ANDY WAS A COMIC GENIUS, I HAVE ENJOYED WATCHING HIS WORK, AS A MATTER OF FACT I GREW UP WATCHINH HIM ON TELEVISION. I DON;T THINK THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD HIM, THE MAN HAD TRUE TALENT. WHICH IS NOT EASY TO COME BY, WHEN THE MOVIE MANON THE MOON WAS RELEASED I WAS THRILLED THAT A MOVIE ABOUT HIM HAD BEEN MADE. I WENT TO SEE IT AND IT WAS GREAT, JIM CARREY DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB, IT WAS HARD TO TELL AT TIMES THAT HE WASN'T ANDY! I KNOW ON THE MOVIE ON DVD AND WATCH IT QUITE OFTEN, WHEREVER HE IS TODAY I AM SURE THAT HE IS MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH! ANDY WE ALL MISS YOU! BRETT I think this man was truly one of the few unique leaders we will ever know..thanks andy. erin guess he still lives for me. take care. joshua samson he is original and was just out to have fun. Brad He was so funny i love watching taxi with him in it and my andy k dvd,and im just 14!!! josh c Andy Kaufman Kicks Ass! Awesome page! Tyler Andy rocks!!! He was, is, and always will be the best! Shoe continued - pages |