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Bob Zmuda

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
19

Gender
Male

Birthday
December 12, 1949 (76 years old)

Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Bob Zmuda

Biography

Bob Zmuda is an American writer, comedian, producer and director best known as the sidekick, co-writer and friend of cult personality Andy Kaufman.

Bob Zmuda occasionally portrayed Kaufman's Tony Clifton character on stage and for television appearances. In a 2006 interview, Zmuda told the Opie and Anthony Show that it was him as Tony Clifton with David Letterman, and that Letterman did not find out until years after.

In 1986, Zmuda founded the American version of Comic Relief, an annual event that raises money to help the homeless in the United States. The event was televised on HBO, and was hosted by comedians Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg.

In 1999, Zmuda wrote a book about Kaufman's life, entitled Andy Kaufman Revealed!, which purported to unveil many tricks and hoaxes that the two pulled off in front of audiences and television cameras in the 1980s. One critic praised the book as "the ultimate insider's look at Kaufman's life," while some of Kaufman's fans and members of Kaufman's family criticized it for inaccuracies about Kaufman.

Later that year, Miloš Forman directed Man on the Moon, the story of Kaufman's life. Zmuda created the "Tony Clifton" makeup for the film, and made a brief appearance portraying comedian Jack Burns, one of the producers, who gets into a brawl on stage during one of Kaufman's appearances on the 1980-82 ABC Fridays. Zmuda was also Man on the Moon's co-executive producer. On camera, the character of Bob Zmuda was played by Paul Giamatti. Stanley Kaufman, Andy's father, criticized Zmuda's influence on the film shortly after its release, writing in the form of Andy speaking from beyond the grave.

Known For

Acting

2025Thank You Very Muchas Self
2020Kaufmania!as Tony Clifton
2017Jim & Andy: The Great Beyondas Self
2013Saint Bernardas Father Steele
2010Andy Kaufman World Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion: His Greatest Matchesas Self
2007The Number 23as Desk Clerk
2003Stormy Justiceas Judge Tony Clifton
1999Man on the Moonas Jack Burns
1995Batman Foreveras Electronic Store Owner
1989I'm from Hollywoodas Self
1988Punchlineas Audience Participants and Hecklers
1984Airwolfas Director
1983D.C. Cabas Cubby
1983My Breakfast with Blassieas Nosey Fan
1983Andy Kaufman: The Andy Kaufman Show: Soundstageas Self
1980Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hallas Self
1979Andy's Funhouseas Self
1977The 2nd Annual HBO Young Comedians Showas Self
1975Saturday Night Liveas Red (uncredited)

Production

2006Comic Relief 2006...Executive Producer
2003Stormy Justice...Writer
1999Man on the Moon...Co-Executive Producer
1999Man on the Moon...Other
1990Comic Relief '90...Executive Producer
1989Comic Relief III...Producer
1989Comic Relief III...Executive Producer
1983Andy Kaufman: The Andy Kaufman Show: Soundstage...Writer
1982The Rodney Dangerfield Show: It's Not Easy Bein' Me...Writer
1980Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall...Producer
1980Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall...Director
1979Andy's Funhouse...Writer