Following a long-standing conspiracy theory, Michael Kaufman, brother of deceased comedian Andy Kaufman, announced Monday, Nov. 11 at the Andy Kaufman Awards that the Taxi star is alive and well, in love and has a 24-year-old daughter.
That being said, the recently re-released death certificate has a bit of a different spin on what Michael Kaufman is now calling a hoax. The entertainer died in 1984 at the age of 35 from lung cancer. Despite his untimely death, Kaufman has been an inspiration to many current comedians, and stands as a memorable force in the evolution of comedy.
Here, we took a look at what fans and other comedic luminaries Tweeted about the hoax.
Walking Dead star Steven Yeun voiced what everyone has been thinking since the whole thing started.
Whaaaaaaa?
Whaaaaaaa? http://t.co/hf8LnAbtot
— steven yeun (@steveyeun) November 14, 2013
Nerdist Chris Hardwick was pretty excited, albeit skeptical of Kaufman’s return: Andy Kaufman! I don’t believe it, but it gave me a molecule of hope. Andy if you’re alive PLEASE COME ON THE PODCAST
Andy Kaufman! I don’t believe it, but it gave me a molecule of hope. Andy if you’re alive PLEASE COME ON THE PODCAST http://t.co/yyRio2YWRl
— Chris Hardwick (@nerdist) November 14, 2013
MSNBC contributor Dave Weigel tracked Kaufman’s every move.
Cool, Andy Kaufman’s on the Acela to New York. He’s trying to decide whether to buy the Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich.
Cool, Andy Kaufman’s on the Acela to New York. He’s trying to decide whether to buy the Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich.
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) November 15, 2013
Philadelphia Daily News reporter Jason Nark might be onto something… If Andy Kaufman is alive, he’s probably in South Jersey
If Andy Kaufman is alive, he’s probably in South Jersey: http://t.co/Fk1wGkTkRs
— Jason Nark (@JasonNark) November 14, 2013
And then there’s those who can’t be fooled.
RIP Andy Kaufman…again. #throwbackthursday
RIP Andy Kaufman…again. #throwbackthursday
— QuakerCityMercantile (@QCMercantile) November 14, 2013
Andy Kaufman is dead. I know because I dug up his corpse and reshot weekend at Bernie’s w/ him for my Andy Kaufman Awards Audition tape.
Andy Kaufman is dead. I know because I dug up his corpse and reshot weekend at Bernie’s w/ him for my Andy Kaufman Awards Audition tape.
— Marty DeRosa (@MartyDeRosa) November 14, 2013
While others still remain hopeful.
Rob removes mask, is Andy Kaufman. Doug removes mask, is Tony Danza. Judd Hirsch removes mask, is Judd Hirsch. TAXI REUNION! PUBLIC TRANSIT!
Rob removes mask, is Andy Kaufman. Doug removes mask, is Tony Danza. Judd Hirsch removes mask, is Judd Hirsch. TAXI REUNION! PUBLIC TRANSIT!
— Santa J. Woodcock (@jwPencilAndPad) November 14, 2013
Want more? Watch The Death of Andy Kaufman, now on FilmOn:
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