On the 15th anniversary of Andy Kaufman's death two books were published about Andy Kaufman. Both books quoted several sources that said Andy Kaufman had discussed plans to fake his death.
Producer Director John Moffitt “Andy asked to speak privately to both me and Jack (Burns). We moved into a quiet room away from the others, and Andy closed the door, making sure no one besides us could hear. He told us he was about to embark on the greatest prank of his career and made us swear we would never repeat it to a living soul. He then told us it would be the biggest thing in the history of show business, then he lowered his voice and said, ‘I’m going to fake my death, go into hiding for 10 years, and then reappear.’ ”
Andy met with Saturday Night Live producer Bob Tischler and writers Barry Blaustien and David Sheffield to discuss possible ideas he wished to execute in the new season.Tischler recounted “…but then he (Andy) told the three of us, ‘You know the hoax I’d really like to pull off is my death. But I’m afraid of doing it-because when I do these things, I do them for real, and so I wouldn’t even be able to tell my parents. And I wouldn’t want to hurt them.“
Several people including Bob Zmuda, Andy's girlfriend Lynne, his brother Michael Kaufman, and many others have discussed Andy Kaufman making plans to fake his death. But it has always been their word against a dead man. Andy Kaufman himself has been silent on the matter. This has led people to believe the friends and family are honoring Andy Kaufman in a style befitting him. Or perhaps keeping the mystery alive to sell more books.
Fake death rumors, like all the "truths" behind Andy Kaufman's act, have always been hearsay. Andy Kaufman never told you that Zmuda played Clifton, that was Jim Carrey in the 1995 tribute special. Andy Kaufman didn't tell you the Lawler slap was planned, that was the movie and both books. All of these tricks of the trade have only been revealed by other people long after Andy Kaufman's death....
Until now.
The Andy Kaufman Press Conference
In this recently released phone recording you hear Andy Kaufman IN HIS OWN VOICE discussing plans to fake his death. It is a recording of Andy Kaufman and Bob Zmuda improvising and joking for the recording. They are revisiting a theme they had discussed for several years. How does Andy fake his death and how will fans react. "Won't the fans hate me?"
Listen to the two minute audio clip on this YouTube video.
