Andy Kaufman never considered himself a comedian. If given the choice, he would rather have been introduced to audiences as a song-and-dance man. Andy felt being introduced as a comedian put pressure on the audience to laugh. Besides, sometimes they didn't laugh and Andy wanted it that way. Andy worked to create real reactions. He wanted people to laugh from the gut, get sad from the gut - or get angry from the gut.

No one could put a label on Andy because he was more than a song-and-dance man -- some say he was a performance artist. Perhaps they're right, Andy didn't tell jokes; he explored ideas. At any given moment he could be his invisible twin brother Dhrupick, a wrestler, a comic, Elvis Presley, an immigrant, a folk singer, Tony Clifton, an evangelist, Nathan Richards, a fakir, Tony Piccinnini, a magician, Nathan McCoy, a robot butler, a provocateur or a spy.

Dismissed by many as eccentric, Andy's refusal to break character - to let the audience in on the joke - sometimes pushed his art over the edge. His performances were more avante-garde theater than traditional stand-up comedy. Offstage, he continued to push the limits of reality, and casual observers found it difficult to understand the real Andy Kaufman.

Yes, despite what you've heard, Andy Kaufman is gone. Andy left us on May 16, 1984 -- decades later his legacy continues.

Join us for a look into the life and times of Andy "Troubadour" Kaufman.

WANT TO LEARN THE TRUE STORY OF ANDY KAUFMAN?

Throughout this site you'll find respectful, truthful information about Andy's short and extraordinary life. What you won't find is memorabilia for sale, shameless self-promotion, or brokered revisionist history. Others claim to celebrate Andy's life and times through numerous tacky ventures - all the while saying, "Andy would have wanted it this way." But like Andy's immediate family, The Andy Kaufman Home Page chooses to honor his memory in a more deserving and dignified fashion.

Once you've explored this site (use the navigation buttons on the lefthand side of this page to look further), you can learn even more about Andy by checking out the reference material listed below:

NY COMEDY FESTIVAL PRESENTS FIRST ANNUAL "ANDY KAUFMAN AWARD"

The five-day festival from November 9th - November 13th will feature performances by more than 50 of today's best stand-up comedians at venues throughout NYC. The festival will also take time to honor Andy Kaufman by handing out the first-ever "Andy Award" to the individual who most closely reflects the originality, humor, and courage of our beloved Andy. The recipient of the award will receive a trophy along with a cash prize of $7,500, given by Stanley Kaufman, Andy's father.

The award ceremony will be held at Carolines on Broadway on November 11, 2004. Click here for more details about the inaugural ANDY KAUFMAN AWARD.

SEE RARE ITEMS HERE (NOT FOR SALE)

Click here to view behind-the-scenes material, and never before seen information about Andy. (And we're not even making a buck off of it!!)

LOST IN THE FUNHOUSE

Click here to learn more about the paperback edition of Lost in the Funhouse which includes new and revised material, an enhanced bibliography and a never before seen look at Andy's 1969 letter to Elvis Presley!!

For an exclusive look at part of the actual letter Andy sent to Elvis, CLICK HERE!!

Book cover photo courtesy of Wayne Williams

Click on the "Lost in the Funhouse" book cover (above) to learn more about the authorized biography. Use this quick and easy link to place your order today!

CREDITS AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The Andy Kaufman Home Page established October 3, 1995.

A sincere, "Dank you veddy much" to BoB Kerman and all the folks at JVLNET for graciously hosting The Andy Kaufman Home Page.

We hope you'll find the time to read every part of our Internet tribute to Andy. In the event you cannot find the answer to your question, or just have a comment to pass along, please do not hesitate to contact us. Send your comments, questions, or suggestions to The Andy Kaufman Home Page via: andykaufman@jvlnet.com