Man on the Moon

The film begins with Kaufman's foreign man character amusingly claiming that due to extensive editing, this is the end of the film. He plays a record alongside the closing credits before exiting, setting a tone of absurdity that captures the essence of Kaufman's performance artistry.

The narrative then jumps back to 1957, offering a glimpse of Kaufman's childhood home in Long Island, New York. This scene establishes the background of Kaufman, providing insight into his early life that would shape his future as a performer.

In 1973, we meet a struggling Andy Kaufman in New York City, whose unconventional performances in nightclubs often miss the comedic mark. Despite the audience's confusion, Kaufman showcases his talent through a surprising rendition of the 'Mighty Mouse' theme song, which marks the beginning of his unique style.

Just when it seems Kaufman might lack genuine talent, he surprises the audience by impersonating Elvis in a sparkling rhinestone jacket. The audience erupts in applause, realizing they've been cleverly played, setting a precedent for Kaufman's signature trickery in performance.

Following his success, talent agent George Shapiro sees potential in Kaufman and signs him as a client. Shapiro helps Kaufman secure a role in the sitcom 'Taxi' in 1975, despite Kaufman's conflicted feelings about the show, which he reluctantly accepts for fame.

In a nightclub, Shapiro witnesses Kaufman's outrageous performance as Tony Clifton, a foul-mouthed lounge singer. Despite Clifton's brashness, Kaufman envisions incorporating this character into 'Taxi,' revealing once more his cleverness in deceiving both audiences and agents.

By 1980, Kaufman struggles with the expectations of fame and the audience's desire for familiar personas. When audiences demand his more recognizable acts, Kaufman expresses his frustration by storming off the 'Taxi' set, embodying his rebellious spirit against conventional entertainment.

Kaufman, encouraged by his collaborator Bob Zmuda, embarks on a career in professional wrestling. He embraces a controversial persona of the 'Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion,' drawing ire and laughter as he wrestles only women, further blurring lines between reality and performance.

Kaufman's antics catch the attention of wrestling legend Jerry 'The King' Lawler, who challenges him to a match. This showdown not only leaves Kaufman severely injured but also strengthens his reputation as a provocateur within both the comedy and wrestling realms.

In a revealing moment on 'Late Night with David Letterman,' Kaufman and Lawler dive into their unusual relationship, further confusing the lines of reality. Ironically, Kaufman's escapades lead to him getting voted off from 'Saturday Night Live,' exemplifying how he often misjudged audience reactions.

By 1983, Kaufman receives tragic news about his health—a diagnosis of a rare form of lung cancer. Despite the severity of the situation, he jokingly contemplates faking his own death as part of his legendary performance art, leaving friends and family skeptical of his plight.

Recognizing the limited time he has left, Kaufman achieves a lifelong dream by performing at Carnegie Hall early in 1984. The performance culminates in an unusual invitation to the entire audience for milk and cookies, illustrating his continuing penchant for absurdity even in dire times.

Determined to find unconventional healing, Kaufman travels to the Philippines for psychic surgery. Upon realizing it's a scam, he bursts into laughter, indicating both his enduring sense of humor and the tragic irony surrounding his health struggles.

Tragically, just months after returning to Los Angeles, Kaufman succumbs to cancer at the young age of 35. His untimely death prompts an outpouring of disbelief, especially among those who thought it might be a prank typical of Kaufman's style.

In a poignant moment a year later in 1985, Tony Clifton performs at Andy Kaufman's memorial tribute at The Comedy Store. As the audience reacts, Zmuda realizes the finality of Kaufman's passing, leaving a lingering question of whether Kaufman truly could still be alive somewhere.