Tony Clifton was discovered by the legendary comedian Andy Kaufman in 1969, while performing in a seedy lounge in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kaufman was immediately mesmerized and signed Clifton to open for him on several occasions, most notably his historic "Carnegie Hall Concert".
In the 80's, Mr. Clifton appeared numerous times on such shows as David Letterman, Merv Griffin, and Dinah Shore. He was a favorite of Jim Henson and appeared on "The Miss Piggy Special." Rodney Dangerfield hired Tony to open for him at Bill Graham's world famous Fillmore in San Francisco.
After Kaufman's untimely departure, Clifton made a miraculous appearance at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles on May 16, 1985 - one year to the day after Kaufman's death. Over the next few years, he disappeared, with only the occasional "sighting" reported.
In 2000, the mythological alter ego reemerged to play himself in Milos Forman's "MAN ON THE MOON," starring opposite Jim Carrey. He stunned fans that summer at the Hollywood Bowl, taking the stage at an REM concert to sing a duet of "Man on the Moon" with REM lead singer Michael Stipe. Halfway through the song, feeling Stipe was upstaging him, Clifton proceeded to violently toss Stipe offstage. Clifton subsequently was escorted from the premises.
After a brief appearance on "The Jimmy Kimmel Show," in 2004, followed by a one night "sold out" performance at LA's House of Blues, Tony has been incommunicado... until now! Kaufman's protege is back with "The Return of Tony Clifton", making it possible for audiences all across the country to witness this legendary performer in the flesh.
In the 80's, Mr. Clifton appeared numerous times on such shows as David Letterman, Merv Griffin, and Dinah Shore. He was a favorite of Jim Henson and appeared on "The Miss Piggy Special." Rodney Dangerfield hired Tony to open for him at Bill Graham's world famous Fillmore in San Francisco.
After Kaufman's untimely departure, Clifton made a miraculous appearance at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles on May 16, 1985 - one year to the day after Kaufman's death. Over the next few years, he disappeared, with only the occasional "sighting" reported.
In 2000, the mythological alter ego reemerged to play himself in Milos Forman's "MAN ON THE MOON," starring opposite Jim Carrey. He stunned fans that summer at the Hollywood Bowl, taking the stage at an REM concert to sing a duet of "Man on the Moon" with REM lead singer Michael Stipe. Halfway through the song, feeling Stipe was upstaging him, Clifton proceeded to violently toss Stipe offstage. Clifton subsequently was escorted from the premises.
After a brief appearance on "The Jimmy Kimmel Show," in 2004, followed by a one night "sold out" performance at LA's House of Blues, Tony has been incommunicado... until now! Kaufman's protege is back with "The Return of Tony Clifton", making it possible for audiences all across the country to witness this legendary performer in the flesh.
by Smiffay August 3, 2008