Return From The Moon?

Today marks the 20th anniversary of comedian Andy Kaufman's death. Of course, much has been made through the years over whether Kaufman's really dead.

Kaufman's old pal Bob Zmuda has kept the Elvis-style mystery alive through the years by periodically showing up to events dressed as Kaufman's lounge lizard character, Tony Clifton.

"Clifton" will headline tonight's Kaufman tribute at the House of Blues, sponsored by Zmuda's Comic Relief charity org.

Title of the event? "Andy Kaufman: Dead or Alive?" Sez the official website: Andy himself stated that were he to fake his death, he would return 20 years later to the day. MAY 16TH 2004 IS THAT DAY. Over one hundred personal ads will be taken out, across the country and abroad, reminding him of his words. Will he show?

Adding to the mystery, Zmuda stresses on the site that Audience members will not be allowed to enter or leave the theater during the last 30 minutes of Andy Kaufman -- Dead or Alive?

LA Weekly profiled the continuing Kaufman mystique in a cover story last month.