About Andy Kaufman
Andy Kaufman (January 17, 1949 - May 16, 1984) was an American entertainer and performance artist, sometimes called an "anti-comedian." He disdained telling jokes in the traditional sense, once saying, "I am not a comic, I have never told a joke." After working in small comedy clubs in the early 1970s, he reached a wider audience in 1975 when he performed portions of his act on the first season of Saturday Night Live. His Foreign Man character, who claimed to be from a fictional island in the Caspian Sea, became the basis for Latka Gravas on the television show Taxi from 1978 to 1983, a role for which he received Golden Globe nominations. Kaufman also appeared as the abrasive lounge singer Tony Clifton and brought a professional wrestling villain act to Late Night with David Letterman in 1982. He died of lung cancer in 1984 at age 35, and persistent rumors have circulated that he faked his own death.
Videos (117)
Videos 97 to 117 of 117.
0:55When Your Strengths Go Wild
14 views
1:01Negotiation and Confidence Aren’t Personality--They’re Practice
13 views
1:02Project Management Is an Action Sport: The Negotiation Skill Most PMs Ignore
13 views
1:01Developing resilience in our kids
12 views
1:36Small acts have big consequences
12 views
1:08The minute power walks into the room, please see you differently
11 views
0:46Avoid the Pedestal Syndrome
11 views
1:03Autopilot in a World That Keeps Changing
11 views
1:07Trying to get buy-in
11 views
0:59Wellspring of Hope or seething
10 views
0:47The One Signal You’re About to Hijack a Conversation
10 views
4:17Tom Rath was told he wouldn't live to see age 40
9 views
1:01Love Is the Most Powerful Force in Business
9 views
1:00Why Tailoring Your PM Approach Beats Following One Methodology
7 views
1:58The 2-Minute Mindset Shift That Destroys Self-Limiting Beliefs
7 views
4:09Win Win
6 views
0:51Do I Belong
6 views
1:10Triggers and Anchors
5 views
1:04Taking Action
5 views
0:58How to turn a 5-year project into 1-year
4 views
0:41Remember by Forgetting
2 viewsGuest appearances (13)
Videos on other comedians' channels featuring Andy Kaufman.
Guest appearances 1 to 13 of 13.
6:28Andy Kaufman's Elvis Presley Impression | Carson Tonight Show
Johnny Carson
10.4M views
8:13Andy Kaufman Impersonates Elvis Presley and Foreign Man | Carson Tonight Show
Johnny Carson
3.9M views
2:39Andy Kaufman on Staying in Character | August 4th, 1977
Johnny Carson
1.3M views
3:00Andy Kaufman as Dr. Vinnie Boombatz (1983)
Jacob Rodney Cohen
994.6K views
15:02Andy Kaufman Talks About Foreign Man and Staying in Character | Carson Tonight Show
Johnny Carson
604.6K views
10:49Andy Kaufman's First Appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Pt. 2 - 01/21/1977
Johnny Carson
604.2K views
2:04Andy Kaufman Foreign Man Impression, Part 1 on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show
Johnny Carson
162.2K views
5:43Andy Kaufman's First Appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Pt.1 - 01/21/1977
Johnny Carson
109.5K views
0:44Rodney finally put a face to the name when he cast Andy Kaufman as Dr. Vinnie Boombatz.
Jacob Rodney Cohen
37.5K views
1:44WTF - Bob Zmuda on Andy Kaufman vs Tony Clifton
Marc Maron
21K views
1:18Kevin Nealon on Andy Kaufman
Neal Brennan
17.9K views
3:54Uncle Floyd Show: Ed Screwy and Sandy Kaufman
Floyd Vivino
1.9K views
1:00Andy Kaufman gets Star on Walk of Fame
Nick Vatterott
231 viewsChannels on this page: Johnny Carson, Jacob Rodney Cohen, Marc Maron, Neal Brennan, Floyd Vivino, Nick Vatterott
Frequently asked questions
Why was Andy Kaufman called an anti-comedian?
Andy Kaufman disdained telling jokes in the traditional sense and once said, "I am not a comic, I have never told a joke." The American entertainer is also described as a performance artist.
How did Andy Kaufman get famous?
After working small comedy clubs in the early 1970s, Kaufman reached a wider audience in 1975 by performing parts of his act on the first season of Saturday Night Live.
Who was Latka Gravas?
Latka Gravas was Kaufman's role on Taxi from 1978 to 1983, based on his Foreign Man character who claimed to come from a fictional island in the Caspian Sea. The role brought him Golden Globe nominations.
Who was Tony Clifton?
Tony Clifton was an abrasive lounge singer played by Andy Kaufman.
Did Andy Kaufman do wrestling?
Yes, he brought a professional wrestling villain act to Late Night with David Letterman in 1982.
When did Andy Kaufman live?
Andy Kaufman was born on January 17, 1949, and died on May 16, 1984, at age 35.
