The official story is that he died of a rare form of lung cancer on May 16, 1984. Despite the fact that he was only 35 years old and took extremely good care of himself, despite the fact that he told several people years before he wanted to fake his death, despite the fact that he idolized Elvis Presley (who is as steeped in falsified-death lore as anyone in history), despite all of these things, the official story maintains a brutal final fight with cancer and the hollow tolls of a bell ringing for a man many thought was crying wolf.
Is Andy really dead? Could he have faked his own death in an elaborate hoax? If anyone on earth was capable of playing this type of ultimate practical joke it would be Andy Kaufman. As one of Andy’s close friends recently remarked, “Andy wouldn’t come back in 5 years. He would come back dramatically 20 or more years later when he would have to start all over.”
Andy Kaufman is my wierd little comedic god. And this was long BEFORE he was Carrey-fied. I have already ordered my Andy Lives! bumper sticker. I think he’s alive and he’s Linda Tripp.
Seriously, it would be interesting if someone could verify what is on the AndyLives! site. There is a post from a supposed MD who says she attempted to obtain Kaufman’s death certificate (can anyone request a copy of a death cert, or must you have a reason?) and got a MAJOR run-around. And the fact that the likelyhood of someone who doesn’t smoke (he was VERY into yoga and holistic stuff) getting large cell carcinoma (sp?) is very small. Interesting stuff…
“‘Come hither, my boy, tell me what thou seest there?’
‘A fool tangled in a religious snare.’” William Blake
The cruel irony to this twist of fate was not lost on Andy…Who could believe that Andy Kaufman - who hadn’t smoked, used drugs, or drank since high school would contract lung cancer?? His only vice was a weakness for candy and ice cream. Some have since speculated that second-hand smoke (floating like dense fog in the comedy clubs and lounges) where Andy performed during his career was responsible for the cancer.
It’s sad but true, the man is dead. It’s a great loss to mankind, but he died of lung cancer. When you have his family crying for him on screen NOW, I’d say he’s probably dead.
Kaufman didn’t do drugs??? Well, I don’t know about that…
My list of dead people who are actually alive:
Bruce and Brandon Lee
John & John Jr Kennedy
Kaufman, Candy, Belushi, Hartman and anyone else from SNL who died prematurely, except Gilda Radner, she’s dead.
Sartre, old bastard
Conspiracy is everywhere, look out!
Some people have commented about the fact that he got cancer even though he took care of himself. Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean anything, IMO. Linda McCartney took good care of herself too and got cancer.
I know a man who died of a heart attack at age 41 even though he was a health nut. He exercised, ate right, all that stuff. Ironically, he died while out on a bike ride with his secretary. So, as far as I’m concerned, bring on the brownies and french fries! I try to watch my health (read: TRY) but I’m not going to get too concerned if I slip and miss a day on my walking schedule.
Andy Kaufman is dead. He had such a twisted sense of humor that it was enough for him to simply place doubts in peoples’ minds about his death. It’s possible he literally laughed all the way to the grave. Or to the morgue.
I don’t know much abot chemo but doesn’t it make your hair fall out? In this picture Andy is bald but look at his chest!?? Does chemo only make your head hair fall out? How can chemo only make your head hair fall out??
I think it was a few months after Kaufman’s death, there was a show scheduled at a local LA club, with the “resurrected” Andy performing. The LA Times reported it, said that it was obviously a lacklustre impersonator, no way it was Andy. If I remember, speculation was that Andy’s friends had put together the show.
After reading that article, I figured that Andy really was dead. Before that, it just seemed to unreal.
