The Untold Truth Of Andy Kaufman

In the decades since his death, Andy Kaufman has continued to grow in renown. As described by The Associated Press, Kaufman had a "naked eagerness to be loathed" and was a "subversive, multilayered put-on artist," whose straight side didn't exist (via The Boston Phoenix). Comedic legend Carl Reiner called Kaufman brilliant in 1982, saying that nobody could "see past the edges [of Kaufman], where the character begins and he ends" (per Boca Raton News). 

In 1995, a tribute to Kaufman aired on NBC titled "A Comedy Tribute to Andy Kaufman" (per Biography). In 1999, Jim Carrey starred in the critically acclaimed biopic "Man on the Moon," which brought Kaufman's antics to an entirely new generation (and a performance by Carrey that The New York Times described as "flawless" and "uncanny"). He was also the subject of the popular 1992 R.E.M. song "Man on the Moon," which reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Kaufman's estate has also created The Andy Kaufman Award, which rates "originality, creativity, spirit and execution" by comedic performers who are pushing boundaries in comedy. Past winners have included comedians Kristen Schaal, Reggie Watts, Nick Vatterott, Harrison Greenbaum, Harry Terjanian, Marcus Monroe, Brent Weinbach, Blaine Kneece, and Dru Johnson (per AndyKaufman.com).