R.E.M. - Man On the Moon

[Mike]

Man On the Moon by R.E.M.

Andrew Geoffrey Kaufman (January 17, 1949 – May 16, 1984)

Best known for his (foreign man) character of Latka Gravas on the late 70's early 80's sitcom Taxi, where he plays a mechanic in a taxi cab garage in New York city. Latka was a timid naive man who was often confused and vulnerable.

Kaufman broke into comedy on SNL in 1975 preforming a lip synch to the Mighty Mouse theme song with a stool a record player and a glass of water. He coined his trademark signature "Tank you veddy much" He did an incredible Elvis impersonation, even Elvis himself claimed it was his favorite.

Andy hated sitcoms but agreed to do Taxi when allowed to display his unusual character traits.

Tony Clifton, and abusive lounge singer, was another famous character of Kaufman's. Andy often performed misleading gags incorporated into his appearances and there was even an urban legend surrounding his death, claiming that he has faked his own death as a publicity stunt.

Andy Kaufman has always been one of my favorite comedians, inventive and creative, he was always surprising to see.