Tony Clifton (The Truth Finally Revealed!!)
The Andy Kaufman Home Page
In the early 1970's Andy Kaufman traveled to Las Vegas to see his
hero, Elvis Presley. Before hitchhiking back to his parent's home in
Great Neck, Long Island, Andy accidently bumped into Las Vegas Lounge
Legend, Tony Clifton. Andy was so impressed with Clifton's stage
personae and show business skills that he vowed to incorporate many of
Clifton's songs and mannerisms into his own act.
Upon returning to the east coast, Kaufman began to impersonate Clifton
during parts of his own act. At first Tony was livid, but several
years later (after Andy landed the role of "Latka" on "Taxi") Andy
could afford to hire Clifton to appear as Andy's opening act. This
gesture seemed to appease Clifton for the most part, but he often
wavered between tolerance of Kaufman and absolute hatred of Kaufman
and his family.
Their love/hate relationship lasted for many years.
When Clifton appeared in concert (sometimes opening for Kaufman, other
times opening for Rodney Dangerfield, his incompetence and foul
behavior angered the crowd to the point where they would pelt him with
garbage and threaten physical violence. Despite (or more accurately:
"to spite") the violence directed his way, Clifton would continue his
act dressed in riot gear or protected by a nylon net. This would
enrage the crowd even more and many wanted to harm or kill Clifton!
Kaufman helped Clifton negotiate a contract with the producers of Taxi
guaranteeing that Tony work in one episode of the show with an option
for two additional episodes. The episodes were never filmed because
Clifton's boorish behavior on the set prompted the producers to fire
him. As studio guards dragged Clifton off the set he screamed, "I'll
sue all your f***ing asses!! You'll never work in Vegas again!!"
Returning the following week, Andy was shocked to learn of his friends
behavior.
Rumors have floated around for years that Andy's friend and
co-conspirator, Bob Zmuda (among others) played the role of Tony
Clifton, while others insist (many of them recently posting to
alt.fan.andy-kaufman) that it was Andy all along.
Andy Kaufman always insisted that Tony Clifton was a real
person, not the one he once imitated, and Clifton would become livid
when reporters accused him of really being Andy Kaufman. "He's been
using my name to get places!" an outraged and visibly upset Clifton
would shout. "Everyone thinks he's me," responded Kaufman, "It's
really destroying his career."
TONY CLIFTON IS ALIVE AND WELL.
END OF STORY.
--
The Andy Kaufman Home Page
"Goofing on Elvis: The Short and Extraordinary Life of Andy Kaufman"