THANK YOU VERY MUCH: A New Andy Kaufman Documentary Is Coming!

Introduction

Comedian. Performance artist. Provocateur. Amateur wrestler. Actor. Lounge singer. Pain in the ass. These are just some of the many hats the late Andy Kaufman wore in his too short 35 years on this planet. When it came to Kaufman, no one knew the joke or who it was being played on. And that’s how Andy wanted it. The ultimate prankster, after his death in 1984 from lung cancer, rumors immediately started that Kaufman had faked his own death. These rumors still persist. Now, four decades after his death, Thank You Very Much, the definitive documentary on Kaufman is set for limited release.

Thank You Very Much

Thank You Very Much is Alex Braverman’s feature directorial debut and will chart Kaufman’s early years and skyrocketing (and controversial) career as a standup ‘comedian’ and TV star. Braverman was given access to never-before-seen archival footage and the documentary is said to include interviews with Bob Zmuda, Danny DeVito, Lynne Margulies, Steve Martin, and Marilu Henner, among others. The documentary will also focus on Kaufman’s rarely seen personal life. The official synopsis released by Drafthouse Films, its distributor, states as follows:

“Andy Kaufman’s provocative comedy often outraged audiences, challenging them to confront their own presumptions. Through never-before-seen footage and intimate recollections, filmmaker Alex Braverman explores Kaufman’s brief but impactful life and career. As the lines between performance and reality blur in our present age, Kaufman’s genius resonates more than ever”

While Thank You Very Much was almost ten years in the making, it was announced in 2022 and premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival where it won the Venice Classics Award for Best Documentary. Executive producers Morgan Neville, Josh and Benny Safdie helped get the project greenlit. Braverman had this to say about getting to make a documentary about the legendary Andy Kaufman:

“I’ve been obsessed with Andy Kaufman my entire life. He’s the most thrilling, enigmatic performer and we can feel his influence across our entertainment, art, and politics – today more than ever…It’s a great privilege and a joy to be able to share my vision of his life and work with audiences on the big screen”

Thank You Very Much premieres in New York, Los Angeles, and select theaters nationwide on March 28 and will be available on digital by Drafthouse Films. We’ll see if Kaufman finally comes out of hiding to attend the premiere.