# Andy Kaufman 30 years later **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 29, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908 "2014-09-29T22:13:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/1 "2014-09-29T22:13:29Z")
Here we go again. > **['Andy Kaufman lives' says close friend and writing partner Bob Zmuda](https://www.aol.com/article/2014/09/29/andy-kaufman-lives-says-close-friend-and-writing-partner-bob-z/20969328/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing9%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D537567)** > > A friend of Andy Kaufman claims the iconic comedian is still alive. Kaufman's writing partner, Bob Zmuda says 35-year-old Kaufman faked his own death in 1984 and will be returning sometime in the near future. In his new book "Andy “A friend of Andy Kaufman claims the iconic comedian is still alive. Kaufman’s writing partner, Bob Zmuda says 35-year-old Kaufman faked his own death in 1984 and will be returning sometime in the near future. In his new book “Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally,” Zmuda and Kaufman’s former girlfriend, Lynne Margulies, detail the comedian’s long-time obsession with the idea of faking his own death.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/2 "2014-09-29T22:16:48Z")
You might want to warn that this is an autoplay video; some people surf at work. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/3 "2014-09-29T22:39:32Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > You might want to warn that this is an autoplay video; some people surf at work. Thank you. You’re right. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/4 "2014-09-29T22:49:27Z")
As far as anyone knows, he’s still dead. Nobody has seen him, or taken a selfie with him, in the past 30 years. If there was a legitimate concern that he faked his own death it would be fairly easy to determine that by a DNA analysis of the corpse. Of course some people think that Elvis is still alive. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/5 "2014-09-29T23:46:10Z")
I recall a letter to Rolling Stone after death which was ostensibly from Kaufman, announcing that it was all a bit of performance art, and that “I remain Andy Kaufman”… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/6 "2014-09-29T23:49:11Z")
He died on my birthday. And yes, I believe he’s dead. Jim Henson and Sammy Davis, Jr. died on my birthday, too. I is sad. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/7 "2014-09-30T02:26:08Z")
> [@Doug\_Bowe](#): > > Here we go again. > > [News, Politics, Sports, Mail & Latest Headlines - AOL.com](http://www.aol.com/article/2014/09/29/andy-kaufman-lives-says-close-friend-and-writing-partner-bob-z/20969328/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing9%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D537567) > > “A friend of Andy Kaufman claims the iconic comedian is still alive. Kaufman’s writing partner, Bob Zmuda says 35-year-old Kaufman faked his own death in 1984 and will be returning sometime in the near future. In his new book “Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally,” Zmuda and Kaufman’s former girlfriend, Lynne Margulies, detail the comedian’s long-time obsession with the idea of faking his own death.” I would doubt this is true. But, even if it is true, wouldn’t it be just downright crazy for AK to hide for some 30 years without ever using his talent to entertain others or earn a living? I can’t imagine anyone who had that great talent refusing to use it for 30 years. What would be the point? The world’s greatest practical joke? Where the joke would be on himself? Seems like a very sad joke to me. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/8 "2014-09-30T03:02:02Z")
An attention whore like Andy Kaufman couldn’t keep mum for 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/9 "2014-09-30T03:15:53Z")
I wonder how much autographed copies of that book will go for? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/10 "2014-09-30T10:39:44Z")
When (I think it was) Sam Simon was on the WTF podcast with Marc Maron, he was asked about Kaufman since they worked together on Taxi. He said that much of the mythology around Kaufman comes from Zmuda who has a continued interest in keeping this mythology alive. Later I heard the WTF episode with Zmuda. If you want to hear an hour of the most bizarre ramblings from a guy who seems deeply compelled to just make shit up as he goes, that’s one place to go. Even Maron was calling him on his bullshit during the interview but he just dug his heals in and kept going, one completely unrealistic, totally unbelievable story after another. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/11 "2014-09-30T11:31:51Z")
I remember those podcasts and you’re right. Zmuda definitely sounded like a guy who would have to keep saying Andy’s alive in order to make a buck. Marc even placated him and had Charlie Clifton on a podcast or two later and that was an even worse screeching train wreck of an interview. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/12 "2014-09-30T14:29:59Z")
Yep, I remember the _Tony_ Clifton one as well, and it was _painful._ ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/13 "2014-09-30T14:37:49Z")
Zmuda must be incapable of self-disgust to still be suckling at Kaufman’s dead teat 30 years later. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/14 "2014-09-30T14:38:29Z")
Ach you’re right. Not sure where I got Charlie from. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/15 "2014-09-30T16:34:59Z")
It was and is a great joke to make people still talk about faking his death after he died. That was Andy’s style. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/16 "2014-09-30T20:01:13Z")
If Andy Kaufman WAS pulling off a big hoax, then Bob Zmuda is a real dick to ruin the surprise, isn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/17 "2014-09-30T20:18:20Z")
If he faked his death as a hoax on his fans, what is he waiting for to reveal it? Some arbitrary time period? Why 30 years? Why not 5, 10, whatever? If it was a joke, it’s moved past that into stupidity. Boy won’t we look stupid, what with believing he’s been dead! Oh, he sure pulled a good one on us! Wait, who was he again? If it wasn’t for Zmuda pumping the legend, he’d probably be long forgotten. The time to care is long past. I am not sitting in breathless anticipation for what must be staggeringly funny stuff that he’s been brewing all this time, just waiting for the right time. Something even more gut-bustingly hilarious than Mighty Mouse and Tony Clifton, I’ll bet. We just weren’t ready back then. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/18 "2014-09-30T23:46:57Z")
I liked him as Latka on Taxi, a continuation of his Foreign Man from SNL. Apparently Kaufman despised the character, though. He apparently thought Taxi would be canceled after a few episodes and didn’t anticipate he’d be locked into the role for years. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/19 "2014-09-30T23:58:36Z")
He wasn’t funny then, and he wouldn’t be funny now. Dead is a better option at this point. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908/20 "2014-10-01T00:08:04Z")
Different strokes, I suppose. We all have our own opinions of what’s funny. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andy-kaufman-30-years-later/699908.md?page=2)