Man on the Moon
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- For the R.E.M. song, see Man on the Moon (song).
The movie, starring Jim Carrey and directed by Miloš Forman, begins at Kaufman's childhood, where he is seen performing imaginary television programs for stuffed animals. The story traces Kaufman's steps through the numerous comedy clubs, and television appearances that made him famous, including his memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, Fridays, and his role as the loveable "Latka Gravas" on the television sitcom, Taxi.
This film is a look behind the scenes of all of the inside jokes, scams and put-ons that Kaufman was famous for.
The film also stars Danny DeVito as Kaufman's manager George Shapiro, Courtney Love as girlfriend Lynne Marguiles, and Paul Giamatti as Bob Zmuda. Many of Kaufman's real life friends and costars also appear in the film (although not necessarily as themselves), including Zmuda, Shapiro, Marguiles, David Letterman, professional wrestler Jerry Lawler, Budd Friedman, Jeff Conaway, Marilu Henner, Carol Kane, Judd Hirsch, Christopher Lloyd, and Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels. Michael Richards refused to reprise his role during the Fridays show skit, and his character is played by Norm MacDonald in the film.
Members of the current bands for The Late Show With David Letterman (including Paul Shaffer) and Saturday Night Live were used in their respective scenes, as were members of the current Rockettes. Kaufman's real-life granddaughter, portrays the younger version of Kaufman's sister Carol towards the film's beginning.
The movie features music by rock band R.E.M. including a song, also called Man on the Moon, from their 1992 album Automatic for the People which mentions Kaufman, and the Grammy-nominated song The Great Beyond.
In 2000, Jim Ross reported in his Ross Report that when he met Carrey for the first time during shooting, all he wanted to talk about was wrestling. The question he is said to have asked constantly was along the lines of, "What's [insert wrestler] really like?"
Following the release of the film, Andy's father Stanley Kaufman criticized the screenwriters portrayal of Andy.[link]
Cast
- Jim Carrey Kaufman/Tony Clifton
- Danny DeVito George Shapiro
- Courtney Love Lynne Margulies
- Paul Giamatti Bob Zmuda/Tony Clifton
- Vincent Schiavelli Maynard Smith
- Gerry Becker Stanley Kaufman
- Jerry Lawler Himself
- Leslie Lyles Janice Kaufman
- Peter Bonerz Ed. Weinberger
- George Shapiro Mr. Besserman
- Tom Dreesen Wiseass Comic
- Richard Belzer Himself
- Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld NBC Executive
- Gerry Robert Byrne 'Taxi' AD/Stage Manager
- Bob Zmuda Jack Burns
- Jim Ross Himself
Movie stills
External links
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