Andy Kaufman’s Brother Believes He’s The Victim Of A Hoax [Video]
Trying to figure out the truth behind all these Andy Kaufman reports just got a bit more difficult. According to Michael Kaufman, he’s the victim of a hoax.
Following the revelation from Kaufman’s supposed daughter that he’s alive and a stay-at-home dad, many fans started wondering if the comedian had successfully faked his own death. However, a recent article posted by The Smoking Gun revealed that Kaufman’s alleged offspring is an actress named Alexandra Tatarsky.
During his recent interview with CNN, Michael Kaufman said he’s actually the victim of a hoax perpetrated by Tatarsky. According to the comedian’s brother, he didn’t orchestrate the shocking revelation which occurred during the Andy Kaufman Awards show on Monday (November 11).
“Now that it’s Thursday, not Monday anymore, I believe I am part of a hoax. I don’t believe she’s acting on her own, though. But, you know, that’s all I know,” he explained in a monotone voice.
Since it’s difficult to believe anyone in this scenario, Jake Tapper decided to press the issue.
“Just to reiterate, you now don’t think that it’s true — you think that this is a hoax and you were a victim of the hoax?” he asked during the chat.
Michael Kaufman’s response: “Correct.”
Andy Kaufman’s brother also denied reports that he’d met with Alexandra Tatarsky before the awards show. Rumors suggest that Michael hired her to play Kaufman’s 24-year-old daughter during the event. However, he currently denies that anything of this nature took place. It’s no wonder that people are seriously confused by the whole scenario.
“I’m still processing it. As Andy’s brother, you learn over the years, you know, to go with the flow, kind of. So I have mixed emotions. I never allowed myself to get too excited, but I was always slightly skeptical,” Michael explained during the interview.
George Shapiro, Kaufman’s manager, said he was at Andy’s side at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles when he passed away. Michael Kaufman was also with the comedian during his final hours. In the wake of the recent rumors, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office re-released Andy Kaufman’s death certificate.
One person who secretly wishes Andy Kaufman was still alive is Jerry Lawler. Although the two famously feuded during Kaufman’s stint as a wrestler in the 80s, it was later revealed the whole thing was a hoax. In truth, the two were actually very good friends.
Lawler told CNN:
“I would like nothing better than to know that Andy was still alive and been with us all this time. But like anybody else, I really don’t know any more than what I’ve heard. It could be a great hoax in his honor, dreamed up by his friend Bob Zmuda and his brother, Michael. That would be something that would be in keeping with Andy’s tradition, but who’s to say. It could really be legit.”
Even if this whole thing is nothing more than an elaborate hoax perpetrated by Michael Kaufman, at least he’s keeping the spirit of Andy Kaufman alive. Fans of the legendary comedian believe that he’d most certainly approve.
