Hollywood’s own Andy Kaufman will be forever enshrined in the city of stars on March 31, 2023, as he is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The news of Kaufman’s induction was first reported by Variety, though it is still unclear who will be presenting him with this honor.
Kaufman’s influence on professional wrestling cannot be overstated, as he showed the world the potential of celebrity crossover well before the inception of WrestleMania. The comedian was a regular fixture on Memphis television, where he often faced off against female wrestlers as the “Intergender Champion” and provoked the local fans and wrestlers with his Hollywood superiority complex.
Perhaps the most famous moment of Kaufman’s wrestling career occurred during an appearance on the David Letterman show in 1982, where he was confronted by Jerry “The King” Lawler and received a slap to the face. Kaufman’s subsequent profanity-laced tirade made for unforgettable television, with Letterman crediting the episode for putting his show on the map.
Kaufman’s life and feud with Lawler were portrayed in the 1999 film “Man on the Moon,” with Jim Carrey taking on the role of the unconventional comedian.
Now, decades after his heyday, Kaufman will take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame as WrestleMania rolls into Hollywood in 2023. The WWE has since confirmed Kaufman’s induction via Twitter, alongside other confirmed inductees such as Rey Mysterio and the Great Muta.
