Man on the Moon
A rebellious performer defies comedy norms with bizarre characters and pranks, gaining fame through unpredictable antics—but his refusal to conform threatens to destroy his career and relationships.
“Hello, my name is Andy and this is my movie.”
Synopsis
Andy Kaufman was an eccentric avant-garde comedian known for his unconventional and often controversial approach to performance. Born on January 1, 1949, in New York City, Kaufman gained notoriety for his unique blend of stand-up comedy, absurdist characters, and theatrical improvisation. He became a prominent figure in the 1970s comedy scene, challenging traditional comedic norms with his unpredictable and often confrontational style. Kaufman's work included recurring characters such as the Latka Gorgo, a fictional Yugoslavian immigrant, and his infamous wrestling matches with Jerry Lawler. His television appearances included "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" and "Saturday Night Live," where he continued to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in mainstream comedy. Kaufman also appeared in several films, including "My Stepmother Is an Alien" and "The Secrets of Tripletown," and was known for his collaborations with writer and director Bob Zmuda. His career was marked by a refusal to conform to industry expectations, and he often used his platform to provoke and challenge audiences. Andy Kaufman passed away on May 16, 1984, at the age of 35, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence comedians and performers who seek to break the mold of traditional humor.
Credits
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How many hands made this film
The scale of the collaboration
A crew of 682+ credited
Why a floor?
This is a minimum, not a total. We only count the credits we’ve captured so far, and coverage is uneven — a blockbuster might show a few hundred names while another of the same size shows a couple dozen. The real crews all ran into the thousands. The number here only grows as full credits are enriched — so we frame it as a floor, never a headcount.
Craft leads on file
Edited by Adam BoomeShot by Anastas N MichosScored by R E MDesigned by Patrizia Von BrandensteinSound by Michael BarryCostumes by Jeffrey KurlandStunts by Buddy Joe HookerVFX by Randall Balsmeyer
Box Office
1999 · Box office
📉 Underperformed — grossed 0.6× its budget
Why 2.5×?
Cinemas keep roughly half of every ticket sold, and a wide release’s marketing often costs about as much again as the film — so a movie needs to gross around 2.5× its production budget just to break even theatrically. It’s a rule of thumb, not the studio’s ledger (home video and streaming come later).
Worldwide gross
$47.4M
US & Canada: $34.6M — 73% of worldwide · International: $12.8M (27%)
Opening weekend: $4.8M — 14% of its US run. It had legs — it kept earning long after opening weekend.
Opening week (7-day): $4.8M — 14% of its US & Canada run.
Peak 2,078 theaters
Full synopsis
Also known as
- Der Mondmannde
- (English)Man on the Moon
- (Bulgarian)Човек на Луната
Release dates around the world3 countries · showhide
- United StatesDec 7, 1999
- CanadaDec 22, 1999
- AustraliaFeb 17, 2000
Production & Distribution
Community tags
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Cast & Crew
682 unique people credited
Top billed cast
Jim Carrey
as Andy Kaufman, Tony Clifton
Danny Devito
as George Shapiro
Gerry Becker
as Stanley Kaufman
Greyson Erik Pendry
as Little Michael Kaufman
Brittany Colonna
as Baby Carol Kaufman
Leslie Lyles
as Janice Kaufman
Bobby Boriello
as Little Andy Kaufman
George Shapiro
as Mr. Besserman
Budd Friedman
as Budd Friedman
Tom Dreesen
as Wiseass Comic
Thomas Armbruster
as Improv Piano Player
Pamela Abdy
as Diane Barnett
Supporting cast
236Wendy Polland
as Little Wendy
Cash Oshman
as Yogi
Matt Price
as Meditation Student
Christina Cabot
as Meditation Student
Richard Belzer
as Richard Belzer
Melanie Vesey
as Carol Kaufman
Michael Kelly
as Michael Kaufman
Miles Chapin
as SNL Assistant
Isadore Rosenfeld
as NBC Executive
Vincent Schiavelli
as Maynard Smith
Molly Schaffer
as Maynard Smith's Assistant
Howard West
as ABC Executive
Greg Travis
as ABC Executive
Maureen Mueller
as ABC Executive
Philip Perlman
as Mama Rivoli's Angry Guy
Jessica Devlin
as Mama Rivoli's Diner
Paul Giamatti
as Bob Zmuda
Jeff Thomas
as Andy's Stand-In
Randall Carver
as Randall Carver
Peter Bonerz
as Ed. Weinberger
Howard Keystone
as Taxi Marching Man
Howdy Doody
as Howdy Doody
Brent Briscoe
as Heavyset Technician
Ray Bokhour
as Blue Collar Guy
Patton Oswalt
as Blue Collar Guy
Caroline Gibson
as Sorority Girl
Conrad Roberts
as College Promoter
Jeff Zabel
as College Student
Marilyn Sokol
as Madame
Angela Jones
as Hooker
Krystina Carson
as Hooker
Gerry Robert Byrne
as Taxi AD, Stage Manager
Mark Davenport
as LA Times Reporter
Bert F Balsam
as Taxi Security Guard
Lonnie Hamilton
as Taxi Security Guard
Ron Sanchez
as Taxi Security Guard
Billy D Lucas
as Taxi Security Guard
Patricia Scanlon
as Ed. Weinberger's Secretary
Max Alexander
as Harrah's Booker
Ed Mitchell
as Harrah's Conductor
Reiko Aylesworth
as Mimi
Michael Villani
as Merv Griffin
Courtney Love
as Lynne Margulies
Maria Elena Maglaris
as Irate Merv Spectator
Heath Hyche
as Merv's Guest Coordinator
Robert Holeman
as Boxing Trainer
Jim Ross
as Wrestling Commentator
Jerry Lawler
as Jerry Lawler
Tamara Bossett
as Foxy Jackson
Gene Lebell
as Foxy Jackson Referee
Bob Zmuda
as Jack Burns
Brian Peck
as Fridays Announcer
Caroline Rhea
as Fridays Melanie
Mary Lynn Rajskub
as Fridays Mary
Philip Lenkowsky
as Fridays Tech Director
Rob Steiner
as Fridays Control Booth Tech
Claudia Jaffee
as Fridays Floor Director
Armando Guerrero
as Jerry Lawler Referee
Lance Russell
as Ring Announcer
Stephen Sayadian
as Stadium Photographer
K P Palmer
as Memphis Paramedic
Mark Majetti
as Memphis Paramedic
Deana Molle
as Memphis Paramedic
Mews Small
as TM Administrator
David Elliott
as TM Administrator
Fredd Wayne
as Bland Doctor
Tracey Walter
as National Enquirer Editor
David Koechner
as National Enquirer Reporter
Jeanine Jackson
as National Enquirer Reporter
Johnny Legend
as Wild-Haired Guru
Doris Eaton
as Eleanor Gould
Greg Sutton
as Carnegie Hall Conductor
Sydney Lassick
as Crystal Healer
Yoshi Jenkins
as Jun Roxas
Lance Alarcon
as Comedy Store Patron
D J Johnson
as Comedy Store Waiter
Melissa Carrey
as Comedy Store Waitress
Doug Ford
as Tony Clifton Biker
Bill Reid
as Tony Clifton Biker
Chuck Zito
as Tony Clifton Biker
Danielle Burgio
as New York City Rockette
Linda Cevallos
as New York City Rockette
Betsy Chang
as New York City Rockette
Jennifer Chavarria
as New York City Rockette
Shirry Dolgin
as New York City Rockette
Lisa Eaton
as New York City Rockette
Melanie A Gage
as New York City Rockette
Catherine Hader
as New York City Rockette
Betsy Harris
as New York City Rockette
Kelly Jones Gabriele
as New York City Rockette
Tricia Lilly
as New York City Rockette
Karen Martin
as New York City Rockette
Tabatha Mays
as New York City Rockette
Katie Miller
as New York City Rockette
Jessica Moore
as New York City Rockette
Tara Nicole Hughes
as New York City Rockette
Mia Pitts
as New York City Rockette
Kelleia Sheerin
as New York City Rockette
Alison Simpson
as New York City Rockette
Melinda Songer Soderling
as New York City Rockette
Michon Suyama
as New York City Rockette
Michelle E Swanson
as New York City Rockette
Natalie Webb
as New York City Rockette
Jacqueline Case
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Karen Blake Challman
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Teresa Chapman
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Kelly Cooper
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Penny Fisher
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Eva Jenickova
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Lindsay Lopez
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Natalie Mills
as Tony Clifton Dancer
April Nixon
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Tiffany Olson
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Kathryn Rossberg
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Karissa Seaman
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Lea Sullivan
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Amy Tinkham
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Kristin Richardson
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Thomas Barney
as SNL Band
Lewis Del Gatto
as SNL Band
Alex Foster
as SNL Band
Earl Gardner
as SNL Band
Dr Luke
as SNL Band
Cheryl Hardwick
as SNL Band
Valerie Naranjo
as SNL Band
Shawn Pelton
as SNL Band
Leon Pendarvis
as SNL Band
Lenny Pickett
as SNL Band
Steve Turre
as SNL Band
Frank Devito
as Mama Rivoli's Band
Tony Galla
as Mama Rivoli's Band
Frank Marocco
as Mama Rivoli's Band
Pat Senatore
as Mama Rivoli's Band
Anton Fig
as Letterman Band
Will Lee
as Letterman Band
Sid Mcginnis
as Letterman Band
Bob Emmet
as Comedy Store Band
Michael Lufkin
as Comedy Store Band
James Mccarty
as Comedy Store Band
David Thomasson
as Comedy Store Band, Harrah's Band
Thomas Verdonck
as Comedy Store Band
Hal Blaine
as Harrah's Band
Charlie Brissette
as Harrah's Band
Evan Diner
as Harrah's Band
Tim Divers
as Harrah's Band
Phillip Feather
as Harrah's Band
Alex Iles
as Harrah's Band
James Lum
as Harrah's Band
Norman Henry Mamey
as Harrah's Band
John Mitchell
as Harrah's Band
Robert O Donnell
as Harrah's Band
Greg Prechel
as Harrah's Band
James Sawyer
as Harrah's Band
Steven D Williams
as Harrah's Band
John Yoakum
as Harrah's Band
Jordan Jay Adams
as Man
Job Alonso
as Reporter
David Aronson
as Bar Patron
Scott Baldyga
as Featured Audience Member
Judy Ben Asher
as Day Player
Greg Beville
as Wrestling Fan
Jani Blom
as Crazy Fan
Robert M Bouffard
as Photographer
Greg Bronson
as Bar Patron
Edita Brychta
as Pig-Tailed Wrestler
Tyler Bunch
as Audience Member
Josh Caldwell
as Comedy Store Patron
Christine Cameron
as Sarah
Tim Carr
as Featured Audience Member
Stacy Carter
as Lawler's Girlfriend
Angela Theresa Collins
as Angry Woman
Emmy Collins
as Emmy Collins
Jeff Conaway
as Jeff Conaway
Doshia Darmane
as Audience Member
Brian Durkin
as Fridays Audience Member
Kenneth David Ebling
as Arizona Student
Shari Emami
as Andy Kaufman Fan
Christina Engelhardt
Roger Ferreira
as Movie Goer
Leon David Franco
as Improv Heckler
Shannon Frank
as Jerry's Deli Patron
Carmi Greene
as Bar Patron
Brian Habicht
as Taxi Crew Member
Lisa Haley
as Musician
Rich Hall
as Club Patron
Dale Hawes
as College Student
Marilu Henner
as Marilu Henner
Jeff Hill
as Extra
Judd Hirsch
as Judd Hirsch
Jeffrey M Hoffman
as TV Cameraman
Ted Hollis
as Taxi Set Grip
Chris Humphrey
as Stadium Usher
James Hunter
as Wrestling Fan
Davey Rockit Hynes
as Smoking Improv Patron
Janis Jones
as Italian Restaurant Patron
Carol Kane
as Carol Kane
Spencer Kayden
as Dude's Girlfriend, Tony Clifton Dancer
Angella Kaye
as Tony Clifton Dancer
Howard Kremer
as Dude #1
David Letterman
as David Letterman
Christopher Lloyd
as Christopher Lloyd
Norm Macdonald
as Fridays Michael
Christina Marie
as Angry Woman
Kris Martinez
as Angry Heckler
Paul Mcmichael
as Fan at Carnegie Hall, Taxi Audience Member
Tiger Mendez
as Harrah's Audience Heckler
Lorne Michaels
as SNL Producer
Catherine Mary Moroney
as Concert Guest
Michiko Nishiwaki
as Female Karate Fighter
Bill Normyle
as Mustang Ranch Clerk
Johan Carl Nowack
as Heckler
Kate O Neill
as Waitress
Rook Overman
as Frat Boy
Christopher Pelant
as Hippy Student
Bob Pepper
as Pool Player
Christie Pesicka
as Comedy Store Patron
Mark Pinkosh
as Comic at Improv
Patrick Pinney
as Announcer
Lance Polland
as Man
J A Popovec
as Audience Member
Aaron Rosenberg
as Patron
Cheryl Rusa
as Wrestler
Benji Schwimmer
as Wrestling stadium audience
Paul Shaffer
as Paul Shaffer
Paul Sinacore
as Comedy Store Patron
Jackie Smason
as Italian Restaurant Patron
Brian Smyj
as Letterman Security
Claude Stuart
as Comedy Store Patron
J Alan Thomas
as J. Alan Thomas, Jeff Bennett
Tony Verley
Jodi White
as Audience Member
Nicholas Wilde
as The Waiter
Allen Woodman
as Davis
Yaping
as Clinic Receptionist
Howard Yearwood
as Carnegie Hall Band
Rachel Zients
as Improv Waitress
Directors
1Writers
3Producers
13Bob Zmuda
co-executive producer
Danny Bramson
soundtrack producer (uncredited)
Danny Devito
Producer, Producers
Ed Mitchell
live and pre-recordings producer
George Shapiro
executive producer
Howard West
executive producer
Michael Hausman
executive producer
Michael Shamberg
Producer, Producers
Nikki Allyn Grosso
the producers would like to thank
Pamela Abdy
associate producer
Pat Mccarthy
score producer
Scott Ferguson
associate producer
Stacey Sher
Producer, Producers
Other crew
450James F Truesdale
(as James Truesdale), as James Truesdale
Milos Forman
(as Milos Forman), as Milos Forman
John Monsour
24 frame video coordinator
Gary M Parker
24 frame video playback: New York
Howard Weiner
24 frame video playback: New York
Chuck Whelan
additional assistant camera (uncredited)
Jeff Blehr
additional boom operator (uncredited)
Lisa Buono
additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Mark Landon
additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Martel Thompson Hale
additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Fred Vogler
additional sound engineer
Jimmy Hoyson
additional sound engineer
Parents Guide
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