Variosity Vault

Man on the Moon is a 1999 biographical tragicomedy film about American entertainer Andy Kaufman, starring Jim Carrey as Kaufman. The film was directed by Miloš Forman, and also features Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, and Paul Giamatti. The story traces Kaufman's steps from childhood through the comedy club and television appearances that made him famous, including his memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, and Fridays, and his role as Latka Gravas on the sitcom Taxi, which was popular among viewers, but disruptive for Kaufman's co-stars (DeVito, who also co-produced the film, co-starred with the real Kaufman on the series). The film pays particular attention to the various inside jokes, scams, put-ons, and happenings for which Kaufman was famous, most significantly his long-running "feud" with wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler and his portrayal of the character of bawdy lounge singer Tony Clifton.