Andy Kaufman

WHO | HONOREE Andy Kaufman

EMCEE Steve Nissen, President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

GUEST SPEAKERS Kristen Schaal, Kevin Nealon, and Michael Kaufman

WHAT Dedication of the 2,761st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

WHEN Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 11:30 AM PT

WHERE 1541 Vine Street near the Ricardo Montalban Theatre

Performance artist Andy Kaufman was honored posthumously by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, August 24, at 11:30 a.m. with the 2,761st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Television.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted globally iconic ceremonies for decades.  Millions of people from here and around the world have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.

ABOUT OUR HONOREE

“Andy Kaufman, himself said ‘I never told a joke in my life’ and that was what was so amazing about him. This genius could make people laugh by portraying characters with wide-eyed innocence as if he was having a normal conversation” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “We are proud to honor this iconic man on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and we say to him ‘Tenk you veddy much Andy’” added Martinez.

Joining emcee Steve Nissen for the star unveiling will be Kristen Schaal, Kevin Nealon, and Michael Kaufman, who will accept the star on behalf of his brother.

Though most people think of him as a comedian, Andy Kaufman considered himself to be a “song and dance man.” Andy Kaufman managed to make a name for himself in comedy clubs all around the country, displaying his unique brand of entertainment, that was in stark contrast of what you’d typically see in a comedy club during that time.  He would come onstage as a foreign character and do impressions of Jimmy Carter, Archie Bunker, and more, before segueing into a pitch-perfect Elvis Presley impression, which became one of his many signatures.

Andy Kaufman was also one of the performers on the very first episode of “Saturday Night Live.” In that first episode, he did his popular Mighty Mouse routine. After that Kaufman became one of the show’s most popular guest stars, returning many times over the years from 1975 until 1983. He also became a frequent guest on “Late Night with David Letterman,” where you might see him pan-handle in the studio audience, hit the stage as a fakir and sing Rose Marie, bring out his fictional adopted children, or tell the entire audience that he loved them.

Andy Kaufman is also fondly remembered by television audiences for his role as Latka Gravas, the lovable foreign mechanic, on ABC’s “Taxi.” Latka was based upon the character Andy did in his nightclub act, simply named Foreign Man, who hailed from the fictional island Caspiar. On “Taxi,” Kaufman became one of the show’s breakout characters, with viewers being captivated by the adorable immigrant.

Kaufman is also noted for his work in the world of wrestling. In 1978, he started incorporating wrestling into his act, where he would challenge any woman in the audience $500-$1,000 if they could pin him in a match. Kaufman became the undefeated Intergender Wrestling Champion. In 1982, he decided to wrestle a man for the first time, who just so happened to be Jerry Lawler, the King of Memphis Wrestling. His match with Lawler wound up sending Andy to the hospital before the brawl continued on “Late Night with David Letterman”. Not only did these two incidents play an important part in Andy Kaufman’s career, but they’re also responsible for helping bring wrestling into the mainstream.

After making many appearances on TV over the years, Andy Kaufman finally got to host his own 90-minute ABC special that aired in 1979. Like everything else Andy Kaufman did, it mixed his unique brand of humor with a healthy dose of childhood wonderment. To help with the latter, Andy Kaufman did an earnest interview with his childhood hero, Howdy Doody.

Sadly, Andy Kaufman would eventually pass away from lung cancer on May 16, 1984. But in the years since he passed away, Kaufman’s career has never shined brighter. In 2023 alone, Andy Kaufman has had his career cemented in the WWE Hall of Fame, and now the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Many would not be surprised if he made his grand reemergence on his special day. With Andy Kaufman, anything is possible.