In the opening section of Zmuda's book, Andy Kaufman Revealed!, he hints at the possibility that the body in Andy's coffin was actually made of wax. Not just once but several times. He uses terms like "waxen figure" and "Memorex" to describe his deceased friend. Classy, hunh?
All jokes aside, this seems outrageous--how could a wax figure be convincing enough to pass for a REAL person? Impossible!
...or is it?
Here's a page giving step-by-step instructions for making a wax figure: http://www.waxmuseum.bc.ca/waxhistorymaking.asp
A well-made wax figure is virtually indistinguishable from a real person. See for yourself:
Add to that the fact that the person (Andy) was not living but dead, i.e. cold, clammy and covered in makeup, (in other words, very "dummy-like") and it makes for an interesting theory.
See it? The one of Andy in a wheelchair? That's the one.
Now try finding it using your favorite search engine and any combination of the words "Andy Kaufman cancer death dying National Enquirer, etc." I'll wait..............................................................................
Try as you might, it's virtually impossible to find this picture--which appeared in an article in the National Enquirer titled, "Taxi Star Tells Pals: I'm Dying of Cancer" in March 1984--anywhere on the internet, despite it being one of the most "shocking" photos/articles of his career.
All accounts of this incident involve a paparazzo "leaping out from behind a news stand" and taking a picture of Andy without his consent. He then springs up from his wheelchair, cursing rampantly, and chases the photographer away calling him a "leech", a "fucking vulture" and other loving monikers.
Now take a closer look at Andy's expression; his demeanor. Does it look like he's about to strangle someone? Or is he posing and having a good time...maybe even struggling to hold back laughter?!
This is one of the single most suspicious artifacts from Andy's final days. It's an obvious contradiction to the story of what went down (according to Zmuda and Zehme), as well as being just plain CREEPY. Andy's looking directly at the camera with a smug smirk on his face and his hand raised to his mouth as if to say, "If Only You Knew."
*Disclaimer: If you don't know much about D.B. Cooper, this entry will make little sense. Do yr. research.
While I give it little credence, some strange information has been spotted on the website www.andykaufmanlives.com, some of which includes tiny hidden text that only appears when highlighted. Yes, I'm aware that this is a search engine optimization tool (albeit a shady one), but that doesn't mean there's no relevant info contained therein.
Among the many words and phrases found in the text is the name "Richard McCoy".
Assuming you don't know the whole Nathan McCoy scenario, here's the short version: Andy Kaufman is said to have somehow switched identities/names with a man named Nathan McCoy, who was dying of cancer. Andy's parents identified the body of McCoy as their son's upon his death (they DID look a lot alike) and the rest is history. (In "Lost in the Funhouse", Andy was said to have checked into Cedars-Sinai under the name Nathan McCoy).
Here's a short video that demonstrates:
Anycrap, Richard McCoy--the name hidden on the website--is a plane hijacker from the '70s implicated in the D.B. Cooper incident. (D.B. Cooper is a man thought to have faked his death after a botched plane hijacking). There's evidence suggesting that McCoy and Cooper are actually the same person, meaning McCoy faked his death under his previous name (Cooper) and took on the new name of "Richard McCoy"...or used a fake name (Cooper) to board the plane. Clear as mud, right?
The significance of this story is that it's nearly identical to the Andy Kaufman/Nathan McCoy story. So why hide it in tiny invisible text instead of just coming out with it on the site? Perhaps because it's TOO big of a hint, and those running the site don't wish to share it with just anyone. After all, how many people are REALLY willing to do the research necessary to make the connection?
The moral of this story is twofold: Don't take everything at face value, and do your research. There are connections to be made if you're willing to do the work required to make them. Knowledge is power.
In my attempts to decode the numerical clues associated with Andy's death, I've come across some interesting Bible passages that correspond with his hour of death--6:27. Pick your favorite.
So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land. –Joshua 6:27 (Translation: God supported Andy's plan, knowing it was all in good fun and for the purpose of spreading his FAME throughout the land.)
Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?—Proverbs 6:27 (Translation: How far can I push people before my act comes back to bites me in the ass?)
I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways.—Jeremiah 6:27 (Translation: Perfectly describes Andy's approach to life/death/comedy, don't cha think?)
Andy was not a practicing Christian as far as we know (he was Jewish), but he DID begin carrying a Bible shortly before his death according to close friend Bob Zmuda. Perhaps Zmuda was hinting at something by including this seemingly irrelevant tidbit in his bio? It's not present in Zehme's version.
