Andy Kaufman
Biography
Andrew Geoffrey Andy Kaufman was born on January 17, 1949, in New York City, New York, and died on May 16, 1984. He was an American entertainer, actor, and performance artist with forty-four known acting credits. While often referred to as a comedian, Kaufman did not consider himself one, disdained telling jokes as traditionally understood, and referred to himself as a song-and-dance man. Elaborate hoaxes and pranks were major elements of his career. His act maintains a cult following, and he continues to be respected for his original material, performance style, and unflinching commitment to character. Among his works are appearances in The Midnight Special, Taxi, and My Breakfast with Blassie.
Career overview
Andrew Geoffrey Andy Kaufman was an American entertainer, actor, and performance artist who was born in New York City on January 17, 1949, and died on May 16, 1984. While frequently referred to as a comedian, Kaufman did not consider himself one. He disdained traditional joke-telling and comedy, preferring to refer to himself as a song-and-dance man. Elaborate pranks and hoaxes served as major elements of his career, and his act maintains a cult following. He continues to be respected among comedians for his performance style, original material, and unflinching commitment to character.
During his career, Kaufman accumulated forty-four known acting credits in movies and television shows. Among the works associated with his career are appearances in The Midnight Special, Taxi, and My Breakfast with Blassie.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
57 titles- Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Thank You Very Much (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Andy Kaufman Is Me (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- WWE Hall of Fame 2023 (2023) as Andy Kaufman (archive footage)
- Jerry Before Seinfeld (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- O.J.: Made in America (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- It's Good To Be The King: The Jerry Lawler Story (2015) as Himself
- The Demon: A Film About Andy Kaufman (2013)
- Andy Kaufman World Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion: His Greatest Matches (2010) as Self
- The Death Of Andy Kaufman (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Legends (2006) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Stormy Justice (2003) Story
- R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.) (2003) as Self (segments "Man on the Moon" and "The Great Beyond")
- The Best of Midnight Rider (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- The Real Andy Kaufman (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- The Real Andy Kaufman (2001) Writer
- "Tank You Vedy Much!" - The Many Faces of a Comic Legend (1999)
- I'm from Hollywood (1989) as Self (archive footage)
- The Rodney Dangerfield Special: I Can't Take It No More (1983) as Self / Various / Dr. Vinnie Boombatz
- My Breakfast with Blassie (1983) as Self
- Andy Kaufman: The Andy Kaufman Show: Soundstage (1983) as Self
- Andy Kaufman: The Andy Kaufman Show: Soundstage (1983) Writer
- Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self - Guest
- Catch A Rising Star: 10th Anniversary Special (1982) as Self
- The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show (1982) as Tony Clifton
- Heartbeeps (1981) as Val
- Andy Kaufman: The Midnight Special (1981) as Self
- Fridays (1980) as Self - Guest Host
- Fridays (1980) as Self
- In God We Tru$t (1980) as Armageddon T. Thunderbird
- Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall (1980) as Self
- Andy's Funhouse (1979) as Self - Latka Gravas / Tony Clifton
- Andy's Funhouse (1979) Producer
- Andy's Funhouse (1979) Writer
- Andy's Funhouse (1979) Original Music Composer
- Cher... and Other Fantasies (1979) as Adam
- The Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1979 (1979) as Self
- Taxi (1978) as Latka Gravas
- USWA Championship Wrestling (1977) as Andy Kaufman
- Stick Around (1977) as Andy, The Robot
- The 2nd Annual HBO Young Comedians Show (1977) as Self
- Stick Around (1977) as Andy, the Robot
- God Told Me To (1976) as Police Assassin
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Stand-up Act
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Foreign Man
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Andy Kaufman
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Special Guest
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as British Man
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Andy Kaufman / Voice of Elvis
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Elvis
- Van Dyke and Company (1975) as Self
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Andy Kaufman best known for?
Andy Kaufman is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Legends (2006), Late Night with David Letterman (1982), Fridays (1980), Fridays (1980).
When and where was Andy Kaufman born?
Andy Kaufman was born on January 17, 1949 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on May 16, 1984.
How many credits does Andy Kaufman have?
Andy Kaufman has accumulated over 57 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1962 to 2025.
What is Andy Kaufman's background in cinema and television?
Andrew Geoffrey Andy Kaufman was born on January 17, 1949, in New York City, New York, and died on May 16, 1984. He was an American entertainer, actor, and performance artist with forty-four known acting credits. While often referred to as a comedian, Kaufman did not consider himself one, disdained telling jokes as tra...
Andy Kaufman by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self — aged about 13
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 13
- Taxi (1978) as Latka Gravas — aged about 29
- Dinah! (1974) as Self — aged about 25
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Stand-up Act — aged about 26
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Foreign Man — aged about 26
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