At the outset, Kaufman's foreign man character claims, due to extensive editing, that this is the end of the film, amusingly playing a record alongside the closing credits before making his exit. Shortly thereafter, Kaufman reappears in his genuine voice, stating, "Had to get rid of the people who don't understand me, and don't want to try." He then begins to project the actual film, starting with a glimpse of his childhood home in Long Island, New York, in 1957.
Jumping ahead to 1973 in New York City, we meet Andy Kaufman (Jim Carrey), a struggling entertainer whose performances often miss the mark in nightclubs. The audience, yearning for comedy, is thrown off by his rendition of the Mighty Mouse theme song and his excessive use of the "foreign man" persona. Just when it seems Kaufman might lack real talent, he dons a dazzling rhinestone jacket and perfectly impersonates Elvis. The crowd erupts in applause, realizing they've been cleverly duped, making this moment a rewarding payoff for both Kaufman and his audience. This clever trickery marks just the beginning of Kaufman's attempts to outwit the audience, establishing "fooling the audience" as a signature aspect of his performance artistry.
Soon after his successful con on Saturday Night Live, his eccentric and unique style draws the attention of talent agent George Shapiro (Danny DeVito), who promptly signs him on as a client. With Shapiro's help, Kaufman lands a role on the sitcom Taxi in 1975, which he reluctantly takes for the fame, fortune, and opportunity to create his own television special. However, he secretly despises the show, often taking on a second job as a busboy at a restaurant. During this period, he also gains fame through guest appearances on Saturday Night Live.
In a nightclub setting, Shapiro witnesses an outrageous performance by a brash lounge singer named Tony Clifton, created by Kaufman alongside his collaborator, Bob Zmuda. Strangely, Clifton appears uninviting and foul-mouthed yet Kaufman has a plan to feature this character on Taxi if it's on his terms. In a twist, when Clifton meets with Shapiro in private and removes his sunglasses, it is revealed that he is actually Kaufman in disguise, once again pulling the wool over the audience's eyes.
Fast forward to 1980, Kaufman grapples with the challenges brought on by his rising star status. While on college campuses, he attempts to perform in his unconventional style, only to be met with dissatisfaction from the audiences, who predominantly wish to see his more recognizable characters, like Latka Gravas or the Mighty Mouse singer. Disillusioned with Taxi, Kaufman storms the set as Clifton to create chaos leading to his expulsion. Expressing his frustration to Shapiro, he admits he often wonders how to captivate an audience, humorously suggesting, "short of faking my own death or setting the theater on fire."
With Zmuda’s assistance, Kaufman decides to pursue a career in professional wrestling, opting to wrestle only women and gloat after victories, branding himself the "Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion." During this time, he develops feelings for one of the women he wrestles, Lynne Margulies (Courtney Love). Nevertheless, Kaufman's controversial wrestling persona makes him a target of disdain across America as he thrives on provoking reactions, failing to recognize the backlash it generates. Eventually, professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler challenges Kaufman to a "real" wrestling match, an event that leads to Kaufman being severely injured.
In a shocking appearance on NBC's Late Night With David Letterman, Kaufman and Lawler reveal the unorthodox nature of their relationship, further blurring the lines of reality and performance artistry. Regrettably, this ruse backfires when Kaufman finds himself voted off of Saturday Night Live by the viewing audience.
As time progresses to 1983, Kaufman and Lynne settle into a new home when they receive news from George that Taxi has been canceled, which leaves Kaufman indifferent. Shortly thereafter, he discovers a painful boil on the back of his neck, which physicians later identify as a cyst. By November, after convening with friends and family, Kaufman discloses his terminal diagnosis of a rare form of lung cancer, leading many to dismiss it as yet another Kaufman prank, including Zmuda, who believes a faux death would serve as a perfect gag.
By early 1984, conscious of his dwindling time, Kaufman achieves his dream of performing at Carnegie Hall. What a moment it is, culminating with him inviting the entire audience out for milk and cookies to celebrate. As his health deteriorates rapidly, Kaufman ventures to the Philippines, seeking an unconventional medical solution through what’s known as psychic surgery. Upon realizing it is a scam reminiscent of his own performance art, Kaufman bursts into laughter—the epitome of humor turning inward. Tragically, a few months after his return to Los Angeles, Kaufman succumbs to cancer at the young age of 35.
In a poignant closure to this tale, a year later in 1985, Tony Clifton graces Andy Kaufman's memorial tribute at The Comedy Store, performing "I Will Survive." As the camera pans the audience, Zmuda realizes the sudden truth of Kaufman's passing, leaving him to wonder if the elusive Kaufman could still be alive somewhere. The film concludes with a stunning neon portrait of Kaufman alongside legendary comedians like Groucho Marx and Laurel and Hardy, forever immortalized in the world of comedy.
