Kaufman, who was just 34 at the time of his diagnosis, had a rare form of lung cancer. He reportedly tried to heal himself with natural remedies, then went for radiation.
In a last-ditch effort to save his life, Kaufman allegedly tried alternative therapies in the Philippines. Kaufman himself may have lit that match. According to those close to him, Kaufman, a comedic genius, enjoyed a good prank , and believed faking his own death and popping back up years later would be the greatest prank of his life.
Story highlights Andy Kaufman's brother tells CNN's Jake Tapper he is victim of a hoax Latest story started Monday when woman appeared at club claiming to be comedian's daughter Conspiracy theories have always speculated Kaufman faked his death Wrestling legend Jerry Lawler wants rematch if rumors are true.
It seemed too good to be true. Andy Kaufman still alive. The Internet erupted with the buzz after Kaufman's brother read a letter purportedly from Andy at a comedy club on Monday night and introduced a year-old woman as his brother's daughter. But almost as quickly as reports surfaced Thursday, the news seemed to fizzle, with Michael Kaufman telling CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper" that he believes he's the victim of a hoax.
Tapper pressed him: "Just to reiterate, you now don't think that it's true -- you think that this is a hoax and you were a victim of the hoax? More Videos Andy Kaufman's brother: This is a hoax Photos: Andy Kaufman: Tank you veddy much.
Andy Kaufman, the comedian who wasn't a comedian, as Latka Gravas on ABC's television show, "Taxi," one of his best-known roles, in Kaufman's death in has fueled many conspiracy theories to the effect that the actor faked it. Take a look back at his life cut short. He became a favorite during the sketches.
Andy Kaufman onstage in , wearing a "I love grandma" sweater after doing one of his trademark Elvis impersonations. DeVito in produced a film about his co-star's life, titled "Man on the Moon," and starring Jim Carrey as Kaufman. Kaufman had a lifelong fascination with the King. Kaufman had to go to a hospital for X-rays on his neck after getting a "pile driver" from professional wrestler Jerry Lawler during a match in Memphis on April 5, Like most of Kaufman's antics, his wrestling career was all a put-on, lending credence to rumors that his death itself was a hoax.
The show ran for only one night, on April 20, The Smoking Gun reported the woman is actually an actress named Alexandra Tatarsky, and her father is a year-old psychologist. The website reported that Michael Kaufman met her earlier this year at a Manhattan gallery and recruited her to pose as his brother's daughter.
Attempts to reach the Tatarskys were unsuccessful. Asked if he was angry, he said, "I'm still processing it. As Andy's brother, you learn over the years, you know, to go with the flow, kind of. So I have mixed emotions. I never allowed myself to get too excited, but I was always slightly skeptical.
Andy Kaufman, the comedic genius, had often talked about faking his death and joked about his eventual return. Sightings of Kaufman's boorish character Tony Clifton were reported at comedy clubs following the comedian's death in from a rare form of cancer at age Even some of his closest friends never quite believed Kaufman died. A cult following ensued. As the latest reports spread Thursday, the Los Angeles County Coroner took the unusual step of re-releasing Kaufman's death certificate.
I was in the hospital. November 13, pm. Related Stories. Jon M. Chu Jon M. All Rights reserved. Although Andy failed to show up, Michael was handed a letter explaining that his brother had gone into hiding to live a normal life, and now had a wife and daughter. In addition to his role on Taxi, Andy Kaufman was an eccentric performance artist who often staged elaborate pranks that entertained, confused and at times frustrated his fans.
He organised wrestling matches between himself and women, impersonated Elvis Presley and, most famously, created a hideous lounge singer alter-ego called Tony Clifton, who reeked of foul-smelling cheese and verbally abused virtually everyone in sight.
Famously, after he played Carnegie Hall, he hired 24 buses and took the 2, audience members out for milk and cookies. A life-long health fanatic, he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 33 and died in May A copy of his death certificate, which lists the cause of death as renal failure, can be seen online. Nonetheless, a portion of his fan base has always maintained his death was a hoax.
Audience members at the Andy Kaufman Awards were uncertain how to take Michael's revelation, wondering if it, too, could be a stunt.
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