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Tony Clifton is a fictitious character created and often played by avant-garde stand up commedian Andy Kaufman in the late 1970s. Characteristic of the many elaborate hoaxes and practical jokes Kaufman concocted, Clifton was not exclusively played by Kaufman—others stepped into the role on occasion—enabling Kaufman and his accomplices to create an air of confusion as to whether Clifton was a real person or not.

Tony Clifton still makes occasional appearances, most notably in the days leading up to May 16, 2004, the twentieth anniversary of Kaufman’s death. It was announced on May 16, 2008 that Comic Relief, in recognition of the 24th anniversary of Andy Kaufman’s departure, would present “The Return of Tony Clifton”, with his Katrina Kiss My Ass Orchestra. The national tour kicked off June 27, 2008 at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA and will benefit Gulf Coast musicians, dancers, and singers affected by Hurricane Katrina. Clifton will front the Katrina Orchestra, made up of ten cutting edge Gulf Coast musicians, along with the Cliftonettes.

Clifton was hired to appear on an early episode of ABC’s Taxi. However, Clifton appeared for rehearsals late, drunk, and with two prostitutes in tow. Clifton disrupted the rehearsal with his antics, leading Judd Hirsch to call his agent and Jeff Conaway to storm out in anger. The decision was made to fire Clifton, but Kaufman insisted it be done publicly, with security guards removing him from the soundstage by force. This incident is depicted in the biographical film Man on the Moon.