Stone ANDY KAUFMAN LIVES .com Skyler Stocon skyler stone con comedy central
Skyler StoneUPDATEDSkyler Stone con
May 9, 2009
Welcome to Andy Kaufman Lives.com my name is Enrique Pellagrini and I live in
Laurel Canyon
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Andy Kaufman
"I would like to apologize to the public in general if I have offended anybody, I'm sorry and, you know, I'll just, I just, all I can say is I'm sorry and I hope that you'll forgive me".
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Bill Zehme
“Andy would begin doing things he did not tell George about, such as plotting his own death, which was nothing if not the penultimate bombing.” “Throughout the next year he would posit the idea to other people - to Zmuda, certainly, as well as his sister and his brother and also Mimi Lambert.”
"He had been waiting for the cancer. He saw something oddly romantic about it. He was going to use cancer to save his career. Cancer was how he would fake his death, he told them".
"He heard about the healers who pulled clumps of disease out of bodies by magic. He and Lynne found one in the California desert; some clumps were extracted which looked like animal intestines"
"The brace had browned from sweat and folly. He wore it and wore it and kept on wearing it and it became a wreath of perpetual martyrdom--and martyrs, everyone knew, were supposed to die. Of course, he had been giving it serious thought. Most certainly, it was on his mind. the idea excited him very much. He had discussed it with eminent hoaxer Alan Abel, who had managed to do it but then called a press conference immediately after his obituary was published. Abel had not properly lingered in death. Elvis, he liked to believe, was doing it well. " ________________________________________________________________________
John Moffitt (producer of the television show Fridays)
“Andy asked to speak privately to both me and Jack (Burns). We moved into a quiet room away from the others, and Andy closed the door, making sure no one besides us could hear. He told us he was about to embark on the greatest prank of his career and made us swear we would never repeat it to a living soul. He then told us it would be the biggest thing in the history of show business, then he lowered his voice and said, ‘I’m going to fake my death, go into hiding for 10 years, and then reappear.’” Skyler Stone con
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Andy met with Saturday Night Live
producer Bob Tischler and writers Barry Blaustien and David Sheffield to
discuss possible ideas he wished to execute in the new season.
Tischler recounted "but then he (Andy) told the three of us, 'you know the
hoax I'd really like to pull of is my death. But I'm afraid of doing it-because
when I do these things, I do them for real, and so I wouldn't even be able to
tell my parents. And I wouldn't want to hurt them
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The world’s greatest Hoaxer Alan Abel
“He (Andy) wanted to collaborate on something really fantastic and enormous, but we could never figure out what it would be. He was especially fascinated with my rejection book and how I had gotten people to believe I was dead. He’d say, “How can I do that? I want to do that.’” Skyler Stone
"A few months before Andy Kaufman "died," he read the galleys of my book published during the spring of 1984. One chapter dealt with my fake obituary in the NY Times. He wanted to know even more details on how I carried off my demise that fooled relatives, friends, the media and even creditors.. So I remain one of those who question his passing. alanabel.com" Skyler Stone
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From a confidant at "his" deathbed
"I have decided to come clean. I'm tired of all the subterfuge and half-truths. Andy is alive." ________________________________________________________________________ne
Bob Zmuda
Andy: What if I faked my own death?
Bob: Count me out. That’s too much
Andy: But Why? It’s perfect!
eBob: I’ll tell you why, because faking your own death is illegal. I’d be an accomplice to a crime. I don’t want to do that for a living, be a criminal. Besides, it’s nothing new, that’s why it’s a crime… people fake their deaths everyday.
Andy: They do? Why?
Bob: Sure. Insurance fraud, child support, bankruptcy, maybe they pissed off the mob, you know, lots of reasons. You know, some people want to disappear and start again from scratch, a whole new life. No, Kaufman, if you really wanted to fake your death, you couldn’t tell anybody, and I mean anybody.
Andy: Why?
Bob: Well, because I don’t think anyone would be able to stand up to questioning. Plus they have lie detectors and stuff. You couldn’t tell a soul. Not a soul.
Middle of the night, 1980 (4 years before Andy’s “death”)
Andy called Zmuda. It happened often. “Andy was the kind of guy who, when he came up with an idea in the middle of the night, he had to talk with you right then. So we met at Canter’s, and I said, ‘So what is it?’ He said, ‘This is the greatest idea ever! This is the greatest put-on of all time!’ Now, at this time, Elvis had died, and there were already rumors going around about did Elvis fake his death, did Jim Morrison fake his death. Andy said, ‘You know, if some celebrity really did this, do you know how big it would be? How legendary it would be?’ Skyler Stone
“And don’t get me wrong: Andy was always looking to be legendary. Always looking to be legendary. So I knew where he was going with this, but I was tired. I said, ‘So . . .?’ And he said, ‘I’m thinking about faking my death. What do you think about that concept?’ I said, ‘Andy, I think it’s absolutely brilliant. But count me out. I don’t wanna hear any more about it.’
“He said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because it’s illegal to fake your death — I think it’s a felony. Because there’s insurance fraud, there’s premiums paid, you’re a member of AFTRA, of SAG. People fake their deaths all the time for insurance money, or they don’t wanna pay child support or whatever. If you’re really serious about this, you gotta take that into consideration. Skyler Stone
“‘And besides that, I’m not gonna lie to your parents that you’re dead when you’re not. I don’t think you could ask anyone to do that. Skyler Stone
“‘I think it’s a great idea, but don’t ever bring it up to me again. Get it?’ Skyler Stone
“And he said, ‘Got it.’ And that was it.” Skyler Stone
Lynne Margulies
“Yeah, we used to discuss the proper — you know, I thought he was just kidding — but what would be the ‘proper’ amount of time to go away for, after he ‘died.’ And at first it was 10 years, but then he decided, no, 10 years wasn’t enough. Twenty years would be good. Ten years — he could see someone going away for that long. But 20 years . . .” Skyler Stone
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Nathan McCoy (the man who checked into Cedars-Sanai Medical Center May 1984 but never checked out) Skyler Stone
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Skyler StoneMimi Lambert. Skyler Stone
Andy told Mimi that if he did go ahead with his plan, he would do so by pretending to have cancer. Mimi said she was disgusted by the idea and told Andy it was anything but funny and to never speak of it to her again. He never did. Skyler Stone
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Skyler StoneExcerpt from “The Tony Clifton Story” written by Andy Kaufman & Bob Zmuda
“the camera pulls back so that the frozen frame is seen on the film editing
console, where Andy sits and now addresses the camera to introduce himself as
Andy Kaufman, maker of the Tony Clifton story, and he goes on to say that on
July 18, 1980, with three scenes left to be completed in the film, Tony
Clifton, age Forty-seven, died of lung cancer at Cedars-Sanai Medical Center in
Los Angeles”
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Skyler StoneJessica Skyler Stone
My friend's dad was in Jamaica in June of 1984. He was in
the elevator going up to his hotel room when a guy who was a dead-ringer for
Kaufman walked on. He was such a dead-ringer, in fact, that Scott's dad said,
jokingly, "Hey, aren't you supposed to be dead?" "Kaufman"
looked straight at him and said, "I don't know what you're talking
about." (strange reply, in my opinion. If someone asked me if I was
supposed to be dead, I'd be like, "Huh?") Scott's dad says it sure as
hell sounded like Kaufman, so he pushed on and said, "Anyone ever tell you
you look like Andy Kaufman?" "Andy" replied. "I have never
heard of Andy Kaufman in my life". And said nothing else until he quickly
exited the elevator. An interesting fact. . . When Scott's dad pronounced his
name, he pronounced it incorrectly, as in "Cough-man", but
"Andy" pronounced it correctly even though he had "never heard
of Andy Kaufman". Skyler Stone
Well, that's my story. It's not made up, I promise you. Scott's dad swears on
his life that he met Andy Kaufman that day, but I wouldn't know. It could have
just been a look-a-like with a strange attitude. Skyler
Stone
Skyler StoneFrank Ford Skyler Stone
I was led here by my son's good friend, Jessica. I would like to clear something
up about my Andy sighting in the elevator. The man I spoke with DID, in fact,
have a short beard and moustache. Having been a huge Taxi fan, I recognized him
as Andy Kaufman immediately. At the time, I knew nothing about the man, other
than his stint on the show. After meeting with him on the elevator, I did some
more research into his character, and became 101% convinced that the prankster
was, indeed, the man on the elevator. He seemed very nervous at my comments and
quick to get away from me. I DID meet Kaufman that day. I would stake my life
on it. Skyler Stone
________________________________________________________________________ Skyler StonePatrick Grounding Skyler Stone
I have lived in Taos, New Mexico for 2 years. Andy K. is here and it doesn't
seem to be the most important kept secret locally... people just seem to
respect that all men have their reasons for living private lives. I didn't know
he had any kind of following until I heard people talking about him after
leaving the co-op and google searched his name. I don't see what the big deal
is. Peace Skyler Stone
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Skyler StonePatrick Grounding Skyler Stone
Hi again, so now you guys have given me a new hobby. I feel like a private
detective... so I snooped a bit and asked a few questions... here's what I've
heard- according to two people (I know them fairly well on friendly terms so I
wont say their names) that both donate time to the co-op... its him, he doesn't
talk to anyone and he's pretty weird all around, but supposedly its definitely
him. I also found out my friends think he's hooked up with the llama
foundation... a new age cult here, they keep to themselves and these are real
deal old hippie types (very common here) im going to talk to the only person i
know who grew up here whose mom is with the llama people and ask if he's ever
heard of him.. but I don't know what else to do. I'll try to help you guys any
way I can. I won't lie, this is fun. Take care, Patrick 007 Skyler Stone
________________________________________________________________________ Skyler StonePatrick Grounding Skyler Stone
Hi There... Agent Patrick 007 reporting in today. I've asked what few friends i
have around here who have lived here for more than a couple years, this is a
transient town... ski bums like myself, young hippies, you get the picture.
Well anyway, a friend of mine who works at the Taos cow which is an organic ice
cream place near the mountain says she has heard that Andy Kaufman goes there,
she herself has never seen him nor really knows who he is other than the guy
from Taxi (I really didn't either until a week ago) but she has heard from
people of him being somewhat of a regular... but please take this face value..
this girls a bit of a whacko. You have to understand that Taos is kind of weird
in that there's a lot of land and little communities here, you can disappear if
you really want to... people live off P.O. Boxes.. not mailing addresses. Julia
Roberts and Mel Gibson live here.. I know where they live, but have never seen
them. My friend says there's been an open mic night at the Taos Inn for years,
I myself have never gone. Hope this helps! Take care, Patrick Skyler Stone
________________________________________________________________________ Skyler StoneAnonymous Skyler Stone
I met someone I believe to be Andy back in the late 80's. I was living as a
beach bum in Santa Monica. He use to wander with the homeless crowd. He said
his name was Eric. I found out later it was Eric Presley although he never told
me this. We became fairly good friends, he was a blast. One night he would be
like he was homeless digging in the trash and sleeping under the pier. Then
later he would be a street musician doing bad Elvis and Everly brothers songs.
Sometimes he would be wrapped in a blanket like and invalid in a wheelchair
asking for money. He would sit in a cafe playing crazy homeless and yell,
"leave me alone, I'm writing my script! BJ needs it this afternoon and I
must finish it" He was very cool and free spirited. He would go to the
Mexican restaurant at the Santa Monica pier and just walk in with a guitar and
act like he was Spanish. He did call himself Enrique then, when he was talking
like he was Spanish. That is how I found this board. I heard about the concert
and started searching on words and names I remember that Summer I hung out with
him. even though he said he was homeless I followed him a couple time to a
rundown hotel on Ocean Ave called the hotel California. He stayed in room 22.
That is how I found out his name was Eric Presley. I went to the front desk and
they said he rents a room month to month. One time I said you know you look
like that dude from taxi and he went off. He started screaming and throwing
things. He scared the nuts out of me. Later he apologized. He said the he knew
Kaufman before he died. He said they had gone into a venture together called
Andy incorporated. He said he had gotten screwed so bad by Kaufman that he lost
everything. That is why he was homeless and had to live on the streets. He
tells me this while we sit in his hotel room, but that didn't matter to him.
just like walking into a Mexican restaurant with a big black mustache and
singing la bam ba at the top of his lungs. Everybody knew he wasn't Mexican but
nobody cared, not even the staff. This sounds odd in retrospect, but back then
I didn't thin much of it. I just figured he died his hair blonde grew a long
biker beard and wanted out of the spotlight. Or lost his fame and was kind of
messed up about it. It wasn't until recently that I discovered you guys think
he faked it on purpose to get attention or something. Skyler Stone
Leo
Thank you. I would like to say, when I meet Mr. Andy Kaufman at the hospital of Jun Labo, I thought to the time that he was in the perfect health. I remained
in the same hotel as Andy Kaufman, who was the Hyatt terrace hotel in Baguio City, and ate much in the same restaurant there and sometimes at the dinner with
him. He had good appetite and seems healthy. He said never that he suffered
from the cancer and I think that he was there, for seeing Jun Labo for
healthful the experience. I was surprised, when I read that he died, if it were
a trick. I think in such a way.
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Leo with Andy's nurse
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Skyler StoneLeo Skyler Stone
Skyler StoneJune 5, 1984 Skyler Stone
After just four weeks of twice-daily treatments Kaufman changed from a depressed, helpless near-vegetable to a happy, energetic man confident that soon he would return to his show business career. The change in Andy was amazing. When I first saw Andy he was thin, emaciated and frequently used a wheelchair. I saw he was incapable of dressing himself and was in great pain. He was glassy eyed and he never ate much. He was scared. "The American doctors have told me my cancer is incurable and that I don't have many months to live. This is my last hope" He (Kaufman) had to be lifted onto the treatment table. Then Labo began kneading Kaufman's body with his hands. Suddenly Labo appeared to remove bloody, oozing tissue from Kaufman's chest. And at each treatment over the next four days, Labo appeared to remove bloody tissue from Andy's body. On the fifth day, Andy said, 'something is wrong - I have pain!' He raised his hand and poointed to the back of his head. His eyes were filled with fear. Labo turned Kaufman over so that he was facedown and began to search Andy's head, which the star had shaved.