Andy Kaufman

TV star, comedian, shock performer … in-ring competitor?

The late great Andy Kaufman brought Hollywood into the square circle before WrestleMania and the age of Rock ‘n’ Wrestling. A master performer who could effortlessly create an experience for his audience, Kaufman had the ability to elicit any number of reactions from the crowd, including fall-out-of-your-seat laughter, furious anger, and absolute confusion.

The star of the hit TV show “Taxi” also grew up as a fan of professional wrestling and soon began to compete against women in a series of Inter-Gender Matches. Before long, he declared himself the "Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion of the World," embodying an outrageous persona as he offered a $1,000 prize to any female who could pin him.

This soon brought Kaufman to the Mid-South Coliseum, where he developed a legendary rivalry with future WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler. Eventually stepping in the ring with “The King,” Kaufman became the competitor that the fans loved to hate and even suffered a broken neck courtesy of Lawler’s piledriver.

In the weeks and months that followed, Kaufman wore a neck brace and engaged in a war of words with Lawler, which included an infamous appearance by both men on “Late Night with David Letterman” that saw Lawler slap the outrageous performer.

In addition to the rivalry with Lawler, Kaufman appeared in the 1983 film “My Breakfast with Blassie” alongside the charismatic WWE manager "Classy" Freddie Blassie, directed by Johnny Legend.

WWE is proud to induct Andy Kaufman into the WWE Hall of Fame: Class of 2023.