Bob Zmuda was Andy Kaufman’s best friend and comedy writer, and Lynne Margulies was the love of Andy’s life.
In their new book, Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally by Bob Zmuda and Lynne Margulies (BenBella Books; on-sale October 7, 2014), the two people who knew Andy Kaufman best open up about one of the most enigmatic artists of our generation. Bob Zmuda and Lynne Margulies reveal all in this collaborative memoir, including surprising secrets that Andy made Lynne and Bob promise never to tell until both of his parents died.
• How Andy Kaufman faked his death and what he told Bob Zmuda about it.
• The bombshell of his bi-sexuality and the role it played in his life and supposed death.
• Details that Bob Zmuda knows about Andy’s return following the longest running prank in showbiz history.
• Inside stories about stars including David Letterman, Dave Chappelle, wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler, Barbara Streisand, Hugh Hefner, Elton John, and more.
• How Andy really felt about working on, and subsequently getting fired from, projects including TAXI and SNL.
• A no-holds-barred look at the Kaufman family as well as their interaction with Bob and Lynne now.
• Never before seen photographs from Bob and Lynne’s personal collection.
Comedian and TAXI star, Andy Kaufman was known for his crazy antics on screen and off. So, when he died in 1984, many believed he performed the ultimate vanishing act. For the first time ever, Bob Zmuda admits that Andy Kaufman did, in fact, fake his own death, including how he did it and why Andy will return. As the only person who produced Kaufman’s shows, it would only make sense that Kaufman is waiting for Zmuda to set the stage and give the signal for his spectacular return. The book serves as a personal telegram to Kaufman from Zmuda, reminding him that his self-imposed exile of 30 years is up.
Hilarious and poignant, this book separates fact from fiction. It includes a candid look at Kaufman’s family, his bizarre motivations for his spiraling career, and an inside take on the film and cast of “Man on the Moon,” which starred Jim Carrey as Andy, Danny DeVito as George Shapiro, Courtney Love as Lynne Margulies, and Paul Giamatti as Zmuda (Zmuda also co-executive produced). Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally also shares insight on some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
In Andy Kaufman: The Truth, Finally, Zmuda and Margulies paint a vivid portrait of Andy Kaufman that only a select few have ever seen. They offer a touching and honest tribute to Andy’s legacy, and Zmuda gives incredible insight into how and why Andy faked his own death.
ABOUT BOB ZMUDA
Bob Zmuda met Andy Kaufman in 1974, when Zmuda was a struggling comic himself. Soon he began writing for Andy until his (supposed) death in ’84. For nearly 30 years, Bob Zmuda has been the President and Founder of the charity, Comic Relief. Having raised over $80 million dollars for those in need, Comic Relief is well known for its HBO telethons hosted by Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Billy Crystal.
Bob’s television appearances include Saturday Night Live, Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Comic Relief telecasts and hosting several specials for Comedy Central and A&E. His acting credits include Punchline, Batman, Man on the Moon, D.C. Cab (which he also wrote), and The Number 23, again with Jim Carrey. A Grammy nominee and Emmy Award winner, Bob is also a bestselling author. His book Andy Kaufman Revealed made top 10 lists nationwide. For the last few years, Zmuda has been producing Kaufman’s alter ego, international singing sensation Tony Clifton, to sold out audiences. He is currently working on mounting the largest star-studded fundraiser ever for endangered wildlife worldwide.