Andy Kaufman Death A Hoax: Still Very Much Alive, Says Alleged Daughter

Hold on to your hats because this is a big one. Comedian and ultimate practical joker Andy Kaufman is still alive. His death, which happened in 1984 due to complications from lung cancer, was a hoax. That is, if you believe his alleged daughter.

Here’s what we know. According to TMZ, the news that Andy Kaufman is still alive emerged on Monday night at the 9th Annual Andy Kaufman Awards at the Gotham Comedy Club that is located in New York City. The event itself was hosted by Andy’s brother, Michael. As usual, Kaufman’s brother made a speech, but something went awry.

During Michael’s speech about his maybe-not-so-late brother, a 24-year-old woman went up on the stage to identify herself as Kaufman’s daughter. Even more interesting, Andy’s alleged daughter claimed that he’s not dead, but in fact has pulled off the biggest hoax yet, and is still very much alive. This would mean that Andy Kaufman faked his own death for 29 years.

For anyone else this would be pretty outrageous, but given Andy’s history with hoaxes this one gives us at least some pause. Kaufman was famous for disappearing for long periods at a time and emerging in comedy clubs as his alter ego Tony Clifton. Back in the day, the comedian was known to not break character.

If Andy Kaufman is indeed alive, this would be the longest hoax he has ever successfully pulled off. His other giant hoax was his wrestling career. For those not familiar, think Joaquin Phoenix and his ill-fated rap career. During his wrestling career, Kaufman took on an aggressive “personality” and was often in wild feuds with Jerry “The King” Lawler. Later on it was revealed that it was all a hoax.

This isn’t the first time Andy Kaufman’s death has been questioned or rumored to be a hoax. It’s been questioned so many times that the 1999 biopic Man on The Moon starring Jim Carrey left the whole ordeal open ended with his character “Tony Clifton” performing a year later after his death at a Comedy Store benefit. It has also been acknowledged that Kaufman was often obsessed with the idea of faking his death, but those closest to him say that he never went through with it.

Does this change things now that his alleged daughter has seemingly turned up out of nowhere with this news? Evidence suggests that there may be something that points to Andy Kaufman being alive and well. On an Internet database, Kaufman’s exact date of death isn’t mentioned. Secondly, in 2001 a database shows he once lived in Cook County, Illinois, and last is another residence in Westchester County, New York that also had an Andy Kaufman living in the area.

What do you think?

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