The first-ever authorized documentary about the life and career of Andy Kaufman is in the works.
The late comedian/actor/wrestler was beloved in the 70s and 80s. Many fans would remember him from his run on the “Taxi” series from 1978 until 1983. For wrestling fans, they remember him for his feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler on Memphis wrestling in 1983.
While wrestling, he would work bouts against women he picked out from the crowd, leading him to get heat. Eventually, he took a piledriver from Lawler. They both appeared on David Letterman’s NBC Late Night show, where Lawler slapped Kaufman. The feud was covered in the 1999 “Man on the Moon” movie with Jim Carrey portraying the role of Kaufman. Kaufman was inducted into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class.
Deadline reports the documentary will be produced by The Rock’s and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions alongside Campfire Studios, Worldwide Pants Incorporated and Fifth Season.
Clay Tweel will direct it. It’s financed by Fifth Season (Mary Tyler Moore, Kiss the Future), with Mary Lisio overseeing it.
The film is being produced in partnership with The Andy Kaufman Estate, allowing for “unprecedented and exclusive access to Kaufman’s family, as well as personal and never-before-seen archives and private recordings.”
David Letterman will executive produce for Worldwide Pants, along with Tom Keaney, Tyler Kaufman, Tweel, Tommy Avallone, Ross Girard and Rebecca Evans.
