Andrew Kaufman
Andrew Kaufman Biography
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Andrew Kaufman was a renowned American comedian, actor, and writer who is best known by his stage name, Andy Kaufman.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Kaufman was born on January 17, 1949, in New York City. He passed away on May 16, 1984, at the age of 35.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Andrew Kaufman was an American comedian, actor, writer, and performance artist.
#### Early Life and Background
Kaufman grew up in a Jewish family in Great Neck, New York. His father was a lawyer who later became a judge, and his mother was a homemaker. Kaufman's early life was marked by a strong interest in comedy and performance, which he began developing at a young age. He attended the University of Miami but dropped out to pursue a career in show business.
#### Major Accomplishments
Andy Kaufman is best known for his groundbreaking work as a comedian and actor. Some of his major accomplishments include:
Creating the character of Tony Clifton, a foul-mouthed lounge singer who became a central figure in Kaufman's act.
Developing the concept of "anti-comedy," which involved performing mundane tasks or engaging in awkward interactions to subvert audience expectations.
Appearing on popular TV shows such as Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Kaufman was known for his innovative and often provocative approach to comedy. Some of his notable works and actions include:
His infamous feud with professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage, which culminated in a series of bizarre and humorous incidents.
Creating the character of Linda Lovelace's mother-in-law in the 1973 film Deep Throat, for which he won an Academy Award nomination.
#### Impact and Legacy
Andy Kaufman's impact on comedy and popular culture cannot be overstated. He influenced a generation of comedians, including Jim Carrey and Mike Tyson, who have cited him as a major inspiration. His work continues to be celebrated and emulated by fans around the world.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kaufman's legacy is built on his innovative approach to comedy and his willingness to push boundaries. He was a true original who refused to fit into traditional categories, and as such, he remains one of the most fascinating and influential figures in American entertainment history.
"A man of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy."
— William Shakespeare, describing a character from Twelfth Night* that parallels Kaufman's own persona.
Quotes by Andrew Kaufman
When Aquatics are overwhelmed, they seek out the tallest object in view, lie on their backs, put their heads against it and look up. The ritual is called litill, and its purpose is to remind believers that they are actually quite small and, therefore, so are their problems.
Tom remembered standing there beside her, in font of that field covered in snow, and falling in love.
Okay, there’s this thing you can do, a thing you can do like no other person on this planet. That makes you special, but being special ready doesn’t mean anything. You still have to get dressed in the morning. Your shoelaces still break. Your lover will still leave you if you don’t treat her right.
No one gets found in love. Everyone gets lost in it, Because love is overwhelming. Its beyond your control. You have to relinquish control to be in love. And that’s a good thing. There’s a beauty to being lost in something bigger than you.
I’ve got the love that’s yours as long as you do what you’re told, the love that worries it’s not good enough, the love that worries that it’ll be found out, the love that fears being judged and found lacking, the love that’s almost – but not quite – strong enough, the love that makes you feel they’re better than you.
MISTRESS CLEANASYOUGO The most powerful superhero of all, the one everyone wishes they were, is Mistress Cleanasyougo. At the end of every day she folds her clothes. She never leaves scissors on the table, pens with no ink are thrown in the trash, wet towels are always hung up, dishes are washed directly after dinner and nothing is left unsaid.
The Sloth would sit on his couch, paralyzed by all the things he wasn't taking care of. Then one day, a Wednesday, he just said, 'Fuck it!' He threw his hands up into the air and said, 'Fuck it!' This was the day that the sloth discovered his superpower, an amazing ability to say 'Fuck it' and really, truly mean it.