Andy Kaufman, a comedian and performance artist, was revered by some as a dadaistic pioneer who pushed the boundaries of comedy and art, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Born on January 17, 1949, in New York City, he was the firstborn son of Stanley and Janice Kaufman, and grew up in the town of Great Neck, New York.
As a child, Andy began performing for family and friends at the tender age of seven, and by the time he was nine, he was already entertaining at children's parties, honing his craft and developing his unique brand of humor. After a year at a Boston junior college, Andy started performing stand-up comedy at coffee shops and nightclubs on the east coast, quickly gaining a reputation as a talented yet eccentric performer.
His abilities did not go unnoticed, and he was soon discovered by Improvisation comedy club owner Bud Friedman, who was impressed by his talents. Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live, was also taken by Andy's unique style and asked him to appear on the inaugural broadcast of the show on October 11, 1975.
Andy's career was marked by a wide range of endeavors, including his iconic role as Latka Gravas on the popular TV sitcom Taxi, as well as appearances in several TV shows and movies, on Broadway, and in a one-man show at Carnegie Hall. He even dabbled in professional wrestling, performing nationally and captivating audiences with his unorthodox style.
