Andy Kaufman was an American actor who is best known for his role as Latka Gravas in the TV show Taxi, his unique comedy style, and his eccentric performances. Born on January 17, 1949, in New York City, he became a pioneering figure in the world of comedy.
Personal and Family Life
Andy Kaufman was the first son of Stanley and Janice Kaufman. Growing up in Great Neck, New York, he showed an early interest in performing, entertaining family and friends as a child. He began his career in comedy at the age of 7 and gained recognition for his unconventional style as he performed in various venues.
Career
Kaufman started performing at coffee shops and nightclubs after attending a junior college in Boston. His big break came when he was invited to perform on the first episode of Saturday Night Live. Known for his character Latka Gravas on Taxi, Andy also appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies, showcasing his unique blend of comedy and performance art.
Death and Legacy
Andy Kaufman passed away on May 16, 1984, in Los Angeles due to lung cancer. He left behind a legacy as a groundbreaking comedian, often blurring the lines between reality and performance. His work continues to influence comedians and entertainers today, remembered for his surprise elements and theatricality.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| God Told Me To | 1976-10-22 | Police Assassin |
| The Rodney Dangerfield Special: I Can’t Take It No More | 1983-11-29 | Self / Various / Dr. Vinnie Boombatz |
| My Breakfast with Blassie | 1983-11-01 | Self |
| The Real Andy Kaufman | 2001-11-06 | Himself (archive footage) |
| Heartbeeps | 1981-12-18 | Val |
| Cutting Edge Comedians of the ’60s & ’70s | 2007-04-10 | Self (archive footage) |
| Andy Kaufman: The Midnight Special | 1981-01-23 | Himself |
| In God We Tru$t | 1980-09-26 | Armageddon T. Thunderbird |
| The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show | 1982-09-17 | Tony Clifton |
| Andy’s Funhouse | 1979-08-28 | Himself / Latka Gravas / Tony Clifton |
| The Death Of Andy Kaufman | 2008-07-26 | Himself (archive footage) |
| I’m from Hollywood | 1989-06-15 | Himself (archive footage) |
| Andy Kaufman: The Andy Kaufman Show: Soundstage | 1983-07-15 | Himself |
| Jerry Before Seinfeld | 2017-09-19 | Self (archive footage) |
| Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall | 1980-06-12 | Himself |
| Andy Kaufman World Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion: His Greatest Matches | 2010-04-27 | Himself |
| The Demon: A Film About Andy Kaufman | 2013-05-16 | |
| Cher… and Other Fantasies | 1979-03-07 | Adam |
| The Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1979 | 1979-12-06 | Self |
| Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond | 2017-09-05 | Self (archive footage) |
| It’s Good To Be The King: The Jerry Lawler Story | 2015-05-19 | Himself |
| Stick Around | 1977-05-30 | Andy, the Robot |
| “Tank You Vedy Much!” – The Many Faces of a Comic Legend | 1999-11-18 | |
| WWE Hall of Fame 2023 | 2023-03-31 | Andy Kaufman (archive footage) |
| R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.) | 2003-10-23 | Self (segments “Man on the Moon” and “The Great Beyond”) |
| Thank You Very Much | 2023-08-31 | Self (archive footage) |
| Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special | 2015-02-15 | Self – Guest Performer (In Memoriam) |
| Taxi | 1978-09-12 | Latka Gravas |
| Van Dyke and Company | 1975-10-30 | Self |
| Saturday Night Live | 1975-10-11 | Self – Stand-up Act |
| O.J.: Made in America | 2016-06-11 | Self (archive footage) |
| Saturday Night Live | 1975-10-11 | Foreign Man |
| Saturday Night Live | 1975-10-11 | Self |
| Saturday Night Live | 1975-10-11 | Andy Kaufman |
| Saturday Night Live | 1975-10-11 | Self – Special Guest |
| Stick Around | 1977-05-30 | Andy, The Robot |
| Legends | 2006-11-17 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |