Jerry Lawler's response to Andy Kaufman's death

From the 1984 Season available now at www.70s-tv.com.

[@Movierebel3]

He never broke character. Just like Andy would've wanted.

[@KJ-qc3qd]

So right!

[@dhammarosi]

Yes, incredible 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Movierebel3]

@Nathan_H1gg3rz They were extremely close friends. He talks about it in interviews now. When Andy was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame, Lawler was one of the keynote speakers. When Andy was diagnosed with cancer, Lawler was one of the first people he told. Lawler thought he was absolutely brilliant (his words), and that he misses him dearly.

[@AU88]

100%

[@Masshysteria40]

@Joseph-Mammayou clearly never saw the doc

[@mateowannacomedyremasterz6605]

He really honored Andy by keeping the bit going

[@travisnamaste5372]

Big time

[@veteranpatriot4474]

I agree

[@turkishmurphy]

the king stayed true to his friend

[@RestingBeachFace721]

Good move

[@bfettrulez6734]

Yes. He didn’t break kayfabe which is the ultimate tribute to Andy.

[@stephencollins4096]

His comments reflect he and Andys relationship and partnership. Never break character and keep the gag going for as long as possible, he knew Andy would want that

[@robert7984]

Perfect response! Exactly.

[@kopilit]

Most respectful thing Lawler could have done under the sad circumstances both for the business and his friend. Must have been tough for him.

[@mightymikethebear]

He showed respect for a coworker.

[@jvill79]

Not sure what you’re talking about but there was no relationship or partnership between them. They hated each other’s guts.

[@outlawent9664]

@@jvill79 It's still real to you damn it.

[@wmorris3484]

Always stayed in character. Andy would have appreciated that. Truth is Lawler was at the funeral. They were both gifted actors

[@nukeninmgt1504]

Andy had such a respect for the wrestling industry. Really would’ve loved to hear him talk openly about his love for the business.

[@josh24441]

And jerry kept that illusion hatred going for an additional 15 years after Andy died. I think Andy would've been proud.

[@user-dc1dr9kr8x]

Thank you jerry thank you....its beautiful

[@kevinberger3501]

The ultimate tribute to his friend; never break character.

[@Argonautx66]

Damn right! Well spoken sir

[@luisvillar8320]

This answer pays full respect to Andy Kaufman and his brilliance. Lawler understood Andy.

[@arkham2498]

The best part for me is the look in Jerry’s eyes, for a split second he has genuine sadness when asked about Andy, then he pulls it all together and sticks to keyfabe like a boss.

[@Phentari]

You can tell how much he's hurting here, but he committed to the story, and he stuck to the story.

[@Reathety]

People need to realize Andy and Jerry were friends. This was just him playing the part they had put together till the end.

[@williampowell8083]

how do you know they were friends?

[@citizenken7069]

@@williampowell8083 Because Jerry Lawler said so. He said the whole "feud" between them was an act.

[@williampowell8083]

@@citizenken7069 yea. i get that now. it was brilliant.

[@citizenken7069]

@@williampowell8083 It was indeed. I was a teenager in Memphis when the "feud" began, and they sure had me going!

[@pete7164]

The fact that he stays in character honors Andy's memory more than anything else he could have done

[@grundian]

He was respecting Andy doing this. Andy LOVED the theatrics. Lawler knew this. Lawler also was defending the business. But I like to think this was a tribute to him.

[@Spooky_T2i]

Andy would have approved; never break character, not until you get home and the door is closed behind you.

[@rodirogue8187]

He said exactly what Andy would have wanted him to say!

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

No, Andy would have loved this.

[@Karemaker]

This was the perfect way for Lawler to honor his death, by continuing the SHOW. I'm glad everyone in the comments here also seem to understand this and appreciate it as well!

[@essa6315]

Jerry Lawler keeping the bit alive even though his friend was dead. Andy would have been proud.

[@blazypika2]

​​​@Alexander Machadoi guess you know better than jerry lawler himself; kzbin.info/www/bejne/eafCdKKpaLB-d7M

[@fried2styles]

What a fucking PRO!!! Andy would've loved that answer -- the show must go on!

[@RichMitch]

This is a thing of beauty. Can see the pain but he still plays the game

[@rjonzun5828]

Two very interesting anecdotes from Jerry Lawler's autobiography: When Andy was laid out on the mat from the pile driver, they eventually had to tell him to get up but he told them to call the ambulance. When they told him they couldn't afford to do that he said he would pay for it. And he did. After Andy died they found a box of his wrestling paychecks. He never cashed them. That's how much he loved doing this.

[@dmjdmj]

That has to be the greatest tribute to Andy Kaufman I've seen. The dedication to the "feud". Andy would've been proud.

[@lewjones3]

dmjdmj right.. I'm sure Andy would've liked that

[@ryanberrigan5421]

dmjdmj, you are exactly right. Its small, but it is a tremendous gesture. Always breaks my heart, that jerry found all of andy's wrestling checks, at his place, uncashed.

[@lewjones3]

Ryan Berrigan wow.. that shows he really liked what he was doing

[@docmalthus]

Bob Zmuda, who knew Andy as well as anyone, said that Andy Kaufman was at his happiest when he was in an arena where 10,000 fans were screaming for is blood. I believe it's the truth.

[@prezakid9]

He kept the bit going in Andy’s memory, man what a class act!

[@petermcind]

The most beautiful way to truly honor him after his death

[@williamallen7984]

This is the best way the King could have honored him…keep up the character always. He was completely honest years later and heartbroken, btw

[@NoName-kv3nc]

I would say that most likely he called Kaufman's agent and wife and offered his condolences and asked if he should "keep the bit going" and they probably told him that Andy would have wanted it that way .

[@lennonscat]

the genius of Andy Kaufman.... Even in death he is playing the people. Lawler is just doing what Andy Wanted. The man is amazing....

[@Imdarkmaster999]

keeping the story alive in people's mind, that is the best gift that Lawler could of given to mr. Kaufman

[@mossga]

The fact that he's clearly close to breaking down and then just steams into kayfabe says everything about how important Andy was to Jerry. Jerry knew exactly what Andy would want him to do no matter how difficult it was. Utmost respect.

[@dickbehringer7064]

His face really says it all before he starts talking

[@DummyYEEEAAHHHHH]

I love that Lawer keep the storyline rolling, I'm sure Andy would've appreciated that.

[@christophercremo3020]

It’s so funny because he loved Andy. He was so grateful to Andy because he dramatically helped his career.

[@STELLASCUTENESS]

What a terrific tribute. Andy would have loved Jerry keeping the work alive!

[@blindmetalgamer]

I agree with you

[@pjsretrogamesmusicandwrass5795]

Jerry is a master at kayfabe, he looks down at first in sorrow but then takes a breather and composes himself with such dexterity ...

[@Wilcox3]

God bless him for keeping the act going even after Andy passed away.

[@Meatiershower]

You could see it in his face when Andy was mentioned, he instantly frowned which is a natural reaction to something that's impactful but he held it together so he could keep it going

[@mattr8251]

Yea definitely saw that

[@YogsenForfoth]

Andy would’ve LOVED it that Lawler kept the act up, even right after he died. They were really so great together and Jerry really did think the world of Andy.

[@AIBotnot]

They were friends. He was in character.

[@seanwoodburn2616]

Actually brilliant... almost as though Andy wrote it. This was an homage.

[@kylecarson5723]

That was perfect, you can tell he cared but still played the role with class.

[@sedonaz]

Never break character. He's truly one of the few who understood Andy Kaufman

[@davidtrask3941]

spot on

[@airevolt1]

sedonaz if that's true and Lawler is just doing what Andy would have wanted, why does he now say it was fake and that they were friends. Why the change?

[@RokumOrion]

because it doesnt matter anymore. In fact, messing with people after his death is a honoring, but the revealing nowadays may show people how he did it, and why he deserves appraisal for his work back then.

[@rondobson1828]

Lawler admitted years later that the entire feud, including the slap on Letterman's show, was staged. While many pro-wrestlers do actually know how to wrestle, they also understand performance art---and Lawler clearly appreciated Kaufman's brand of it. His in-character comments after Andy had died demonstrate, ironically, respect for Kaufman and what they both cooked up.

[@MrBoriqua2000]

Talk about staying in character. Those 2 were really good friends in real life.

[@ExMachina70]

David Lynch was always against revealing the answers in his movies. He argued that the questions were always far more interesting. By Lawler keeping the kayfabe of his relationship with Kauffman, it really gives credence to Lawler's dedication to Andy's wishes that nothing is revealed as to what's true and what's not. The questions about Andy became far more intriguing this way.

[@edgardoadriano4267]

@@ExMachina70 this is so beautiful and at the same time hidden to the public eye.. it reminds me a joke he made where the show was broadcasted upside down and with interference on purpose. Someone asked what is the point if nobody will get the joke. Well it seems that in Andy's mind that wasn't as important as the joke itself. Pure art.

[@JnEricsonx]

I remember seeing the documentary on Kaufman called I'm From Hollywood. And then laughing my ass off in the theater seeing Man On The Moon when it turned out they were just fucking with everyone. Happy to have met Lawler as well. He was NOT a fan of Jim Carrey on set.

[@deanshaw6588]

he obviously wanted to pay andy respect by staying in character which andy was a legend at doing

[@natdmc85]

Andy would have loved that response.

[@Argonautx66]

NatDmc 85 absolutely. Andy would’ve been pissed if Lawler broke kayfabe.

[@michaeljohnson2191]

Gotta respect The King for keeping kayfabe after his friend passed.

[@OhanaFilms]

Andy would have LOVED this. Stay in character and never stop fooling the audience. Perfect.

[@deaustin4018]

Lawler's last, courageous tribute to Andy. What it means when they say, the show must go on.

[@briantaylor1391]

I'm sure Jerry shed some tears behind closed doors never pulling the curtain down on a true friendship... Well done...

[@falcontube2023]

Loved the answer, Andy was probably smirking at this one in heaven.

[@SXI96]

Lawler staying in character is a tip of the hat to Andy, well done

[@RockoJerome]

That's EXACTLY what I think Andy would've wanted him to say. Kayfabe!

[@airevolt1]

Rocko Jerome Then why does Lawler now say it was fake and that they were friends? Why spoil the joke? Why betray his "friend" now?

[@RockoJerome]

airevolt1 Because the business and everyone's perception of it has changed, and he would look like a moron if he kept with kayfabe now.

[@nycinstyle]

Kaufman would be mad for the fact that pro wrestling was completely revealed for what it is for the world to know. Merely, showmanship and not real fighting - a predetermined outcome. He would have liked that Lawlor could have kept it like their fued was real.Unfortunately, he really couldn't now. Lawlor was staying in character here in this video because he knows that is what Kaufman would have wanted. Kaufman pushed the envelope and liked you to believe the unbelievable. Kaufman would be really happy if people thought he really was a professional wrestler and he and Lawlor really tried to beat down one another in any way they can. Kaufman would crack up if he somehow sees this. In fact, their fued was Andy's idea from the very beginning. They actually had fun making video promos together insulting each other and discussed what they were going to say and do insulting and fighting one another.

[@015Froggy]

@@airevolt1 Kayfabe kinda died in the mid 90s..like Bobby Heenan said "the magic is gone..everybody knows how we do the tricks"..Man on the Moon came out 1998

[@hotjones81]

This was the most respect he could show Kaufman by staying in character

[@gnarbyq4667]

That's one way of looking at it

[@clash5j]

Indeed. During the filming of Man on the Moon, Jim Carrey, got so much into character that off screen he was treating Lawler horribly, even going so far as to spit in his face. Lawler approached the director Milos Foreman and asked him - "does this freakin' guy realize that Andy and I were friends?"

[@timothyblackburn6801]

A true friend to end. I'm sure it wasn't easy for Jerry to keep it up, but he did it for his Buddy. Well plaid sir.

[@louislacey2383]

Well plaid?

[@timothyblackburn6801]

@Louis Lacey they were very good friends, but even when he died, Jerry kept up the act that he didn't like Andy.

[@louislacey2383]

I pointed out how you screwed up the word played(plaid).🙄

[@ShaDevil07]

Plaid? Let me guess, Republican, red state, Trump lover? Am I close?

[@subg8858]

ShaDevil, obsessed much?

[@CaptainKirkDiggler]

Andy would have LOVED this! Nice one Lawler.

[@TheKeithHicks]

This is what Andy would want Jerry to say to keep it going even after Andy had passed.

[@minewheaties5029]

Amen to that.

[@anibalvillacordova6707]

Respect to the king, he stay loyal to Andys performance.

[@Lycan_Jedi]

You can tell it's tearing him up inside, but he held it together. Great Job King!

[@pathfinderbishop1752]

Actually Jerry and Andy were good friends. He was keeping the rivalry thing alive to honor Andy. That was an extremely nice thing to do. Much respect to you Mr. Lawler.

[@HellhammerSS]

He held kayfabe, but in the opening you can still see the hurt before he speaks. The face never lies

[@yaboyfrresh]

Wat does kayfabe mean

[@pauldavis5459]

@@yaboyfrresh Kayfabe is a code word in wrestling that means to always stick to the story line. If you are feuding with someone never be seen by the fans out partying together or traveling together. If you are a heel don't be seen in the back talking to a babyface.

[@ThunderFist1978]

Frresh B A classic example of kayfabe being broken was the curtain call incident in 1996. Shawn Michaels, HHH, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were close friends backstage, and around that time Hall and Nash were on their way to WCW. During an event at Madison Square Garden, Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash had a match, and at the conclusion Scott Hall came to the ring and he and Shawn Michaels hugged. No problem there because they were both babyfaces, but then HHH came to the ring and all four of them hugged. That was a problem because now you had heels and faces all hugging one another, and even though it was known at that time that the outcomes of the matches were predetermined, the illusion that the faces and heels didn’t get along was still expected to be kept. It was made worse by the fact that a fan sneaked a camcorder into the event and recorded the hugs.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

And, alas, we found out they were great friends in real life. Jerry kept up the facade and I'm sure Andy would have approved. RIP, Andy.

[@tomace4898]

Here after the announcement that Andy Kaufman will be inducted into the WWE HOF.

[@sablesanctum]

What a way to honor the guy. Staying in character. Brilliant!

[@ollieox9181]

Andy Kaufman would be very pleased with this reaction.

[@bucky90269]

Lawler is a fucking legend for not breaking character... we all know they were tight.

[@girthbrooks4730]

Vanilla Theis Absolutely. Agree 100%.

[@longdistancebrothers7326]

Andy would be so happy how he handled that question. Andy would've said the same... maybe even way worse.

[@Surgicalsensei]

No one knew they were friends until the Movie came out. Thats how much of a secret it was and Lawler never admitted he was friends with Kaufman until long after he died

[@jameshurtado5389]

Back then they protected the business and that was what made it so much better than now

[@fivetool]

Exactly the answer that Andy would have wanted.

[@jdez10]

I'm so happy, too see most of the Ppl commenting get it. He was continuing the act. It was yrs later that he showed his love for Andy.

[@skoolbus]

I'm 99% sure Andy asked him to say this. Keep the story going. Absolutely what Andy would've wanted.

[@cr0nosphere]

You could see in his face that he didn't want to keep up with the act. He wanted to spill his guts about losing a close dear friend but if he did that Andy would have rolled in his grave.

[@Laura-kg9le]

This is how he is honoring Andy Kaufman 💓 It's a very sweet moment

[@raywideman7157]

Andy deserves to be in the hall of fame. His feud with Lawler brought a national spotlight to wrestling, and paved the way and the idea for what wrestling has become. It was pioneering,, and it was legendary. He deserves it

[@hondamanvtec2894]

It was Jerrys idea Not Andy

[@dr.phillnaadoftennessee.9788]

@@hondamanvtec2894 Jim cornette said in an interview that it was Andy's ideal... I guess you know more than he does though lol.

[@BULL.173]

You can kind of see the gears turning in Lawler's head as he considers his response. He looks upset; they were actually good friends. I think he took the hard way out here because that's exactly how Andy would have wanted it.

[@PatrickMersinger]

I loved Jerry’s line that he used when they were on Letterman’s show. “ I couldn’t warm up to this guy (Andy) if we were cremated together” Just brilliant. Dave even chuckled a bit.

[@JnEricsonx]

Meanwhile, I believe that line would have better referred to Jerry and Jim Carrey.

[@robertsmithii6947]

Even to the end they kept the secret of the feud being a work

[@danieldonnelly3589]

This is exactly what Andy would’ve wanted. For Lawler to stop kayfabe and reveal they were friends all along would have destroyed everything they worked at. In the typical twisted Kaufman art of blurring lines, this was the perfect tribute from Jerry. That said, his face at 00:12 reveals the truth.

[@MrAitraining]

This must have been so hard for Jerry to stay in character here. He was very fond of andy. I'm sure it hit him real hard privately

[@bperry573]

Such respect shown by keeping the bit going. Much respect king 👑

[@steveparker5406]

Lawler kept the schtick going, but his expression at 0.16 immediately shows his sadness - as he prepared for his reply keeping the ruse going. Jerry and Andy were great partners in crime!

[@TheREALOC1972]

and very very very good friends. Jerry would say later that Andy's death absolutely tore him apart for several years.

[@critter42]

yeah, that mask dropped ever so briefly, then he had a hint of a smile, probably thinking how much Andy would love what he was going to say next in continuing the bit.

[@Jimmyd134]

Can anyone else tell the pain Jerry is dealing with. His eyes show how sad he is and was

[@Me4-gc8qs]

His best friend died.

[@philosoraptor2285]

Lawler kept the joke going even after Andy died. In truth they were good friends and he went to his funeral. Lawler in private said the most fun he'd ever had in his life as a wrestler was working with Kaufman and Andy made him a national household name with that storyline.

[@NxDoyle]

That's definitely what Andy would have wanted. Maintain the illusion.

[@locotx215]

The ultimate in "the show must go on". Beautiful tribute as in the spirit of Andy still lives.

[@croatianguy7073]

Jerry Lawler liked Andy Kaufmann in real life... this is his attempt to keep the gag going. Andy would have definitely appreciated that.

[@tommym321]

One Hundred Percent

[@markjones1444]

Jerry killed Andy? Was it an Illuminati sacrifice or something?

[@notd0ll109]

People gotta understand, Kayfabe wasn’t broken at this time. Lawler was not only doing what Andy would have wanted, he was protecting wrestling, which they both loved.

[@dph22013]

Brilliant answer. Andy was smiling during that interview.

[@Surgicalsensei]

None of you guys realise... the audience never knew Lawler and Kaufman were friends until the Man on the Moon movie came out... That was the big twist that they were friends all along when it showed them working together. And also remember all those promos Kaufman did making fun of Memphis accents? Those were all scripted by Lawler, because he knew what would piss off the southerners. Kaufman filmed all those videos in Lawlers backyard! 😳

[@jonplaud]

He only did it because he knew Kaufman would want him to keep going with it. Lawler said in an interview that Kaufman was very respectable.

[@TheGamingManiac]

he kept the charade going even after Andy's death........andy would be proud!

[@gurnblanstein9816]

He was sticking to character, they were good friends.

[@Repomidnight]

Rejoice. Andy is going into the WWE HOF. A true pioneer, very well deserved.

[@shyjames83]

Great kayfabe by Lawler....Jerry was actually one of the first people Kaufman told he had lung cancer, and the King was heartbroken

[@darrenbuttery3527]

This is exactly what Andy would have wanted. Andy loved and respected the wrestling business and kayfabe was held sacred back then. Ask Jerry Lawler today and he would tell you how much he liked Andy and loved working with him.

[@One.Zero.One101]

Young people in the comment section are so surprised Jerry didn’t break kayfabe. This was the norm back then. In fact it would be more surprising if he broke kayfabe, it would have been a huge debacle in the wrestling community.

[@PaperbackWizard]

I dunno. I think, when someone dies, it's okay to stop acting. When Owen Hart died, every single wrestler paid tribute in the ring on RAW. None of them pretended to still hate him.

[@chrysler5thavenue822]

@@PaperbackWizard You're talking over 15 years later after the curtain call and the illusion being completely gone after national WWF dominance and a decade of gimmicks ranging from resurrected mummies to undead wizards. This was an entirely different world... shit, for one thing, Andy did really wrestle those women. You'll never see that shit again.

[@VelvetMetrolink]

I see no-one in the comments section expressing surprise. And if they were you wouldn't know their age now would you? You just wanted to sneer at the young that you understand something (very obvious) that you think they don't, so invented a pretext.

[@GasCityGuy]

Keeping the gag going was the greatest way to honor Andy! Perfect response.

[@uncletony6210]

not so sure. has anyone other than Jerry himself said that Jerry was "in on the act?"

[@leokimvideo]

You half expect Andy to appear from behind the curtain. That's his style.

[@pmointernet]

Andy wanted him to answer like that, 100% it was prearranged before his death.

[@MaximilianGrassl-kq4nv]

Most respectful answer. Didn't pretend to be best friends, didn't drag him. Good stuff.

[@brew1234567891]

That's some mad respect to keep the image alive.

[@VideoPine]

This is what staying in character is!

[@altestic577]

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[@mustangfuego]

Jerry and Andy were good friends, this was his way of honoring their fake feud. Watch his interview with Stone Cold

[@ericanderson3534]

Exactly right. Andy insisted that you maintain his illusion otherwise it would fail. Even in death, he was a genius at deception.

[@IIIStyXLIII]

He is still among us. “What am I gonna do, burn down theatres or fake my own death!?”

[@alphonsobradley8532]

Kayfabe was a sacred trust in those days and Jerry wasn't going to break it

[@leonandrews7180]

Lawler and Kaufman worked together closely on their schtick in Memphis Wrestling. Lawler and Jimmy Hart are also close friends from way back in high school.

[@JasonPorterMusic]

Kayfabe till the end. Andy would have wanted it that way.

[@allendconder]

what a beautiful way to keep the bit going. Its exactly what I think Andy would have wanted