Tuesday, July 1, 2008

heath ledger steals batman movie joker gimmick from a dead man named andy kaufman


Why am I writing this about heath ledger and his role as the joker in the dark knight?
I am writing this about heath ledger, because I happen to be a huge fan of the late andy kaufman, and when I heard heath ledger talking like an andy kaufman character, it really bothered me, that andy kaufman was not getting the proper accolades. In this review, I hope to right the wrongs of keeping the inspiration for the dark knight joker character a secret until now!

heath ledger as the joker
heath ledger as the joker
heath ledger as the joker

heath ledger is great as the joker in the newest batman movie, the dark night. but where did he come up with the joker character and the way he played it?




heath ledger stole it from a dead man named andy kaufman. Andy had a character he developed called tony clifton. if you watch the following videos, you will see that heath ledger stole everything for the joker from the tony clifton character.



who is tony clifton?


Born out of the tales that Kaufman’s writing partner Bob Zmuda told him about a former employer, Tony Clifton was the distillation of every bad story that ever circulated about any 1960s lounge entertainer. An abrasive loudmouth armed with bad one-liners and an even worse singing voice, Clifton was the guy who clearly forgot to leave his ego in the wings but would bring it out on stage with him to hilariously disastrous results.

Decked out in oversized sunglasses and a rumpled peach tuxedo, Clifton was frequently downright abusive to his audience, loudly berating them when they didn’t recognize and show appreciation for his obvious “talents.”


He’s a character through which Kaufman savagely deconstructed celebrity in both how it can affect performers and how audiences react to its presence.



here is proof that heath ledger stole everything from tony clifton



the following is more proof, that health ledger is a crook

now watch a trailer from the dark knight, and hear and see heath ledger impersonating tony clifton in his role as the joker.



who is andy kaufman?

Without a doubt, one of the most unique comic voices of the 20th century was Andy Kaufman. Hailing from a deceptively average upbringing in Long Island, NY, Kaufman amazed audiences with an act that deftly manipulated them into thinking one thing was happening on stage before revealing what they were watching was something else entirely. No mere standup comic, Kaufman played with his audience in such a way that could be described as interactive performance art. And of all of Kaufman’s bits and characters that could be described as “interactive” none were more so than lounge singer Tony Clifton.

Who is heath ledger?


Ledger most recently earned Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the award-winning drama Brokeback Mountain. His other credits include Casanova, Monster's Ball, Lords of Dogtown, The Brothers Grimm and The Patriot.

"Chris' unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight," said Robinov. "We also can't wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker."

"I'm excited to continue the story we started with Batman Begins," added Nolan. "Our challenge in casting The Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale's Batman is going to be incredible."

5 comments:

Chuckerpated said...

I'm sorry Rob, but you have no idea just what in the hell you're talking about.

Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker is not even vaguely reminiscent of Andy Kaufman's Tony Clifton.

I do not disagree that Kaufman was brilliant, but you're utterly daft if you really think Ledger's Joker is anything like Tony Clifton.

Even based on the clips you provided there is no resemblance whatsoever.

Where did you even get that idea? I cannot fathom how you see one as being anything at all like the other!

Do your homework next time before you decry a performance as "stolen" (a truly dubious claim in this industry, I might add).

And oh yeah, by the way... Heath Ledger is also "a dead man." Nice choice of words, Mr. PR.

Anonymous said...

I concur. Not even close. Total stretch of your imagination I think.

tsfreaks

andlovesaidno2me said...

something is very wrong with you..how dare you say these things about Heath. I for one was blown away by his performance as the Joker....and I am not the only one to feel that way, for he did win an award for it, A well deserved one.And your comparing his performance to "Tony Clifton" is just nonsence!!

SpunkRans0m said...

You are truly an idiot for even thinking that Heath Ledger "stole" anything from Andy Kaufman.

Sure, I see minuscule similarities between each actor's roles. However, Heath's Joker reminds me (and allot of other people) of Anthony Burgess's Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange. Both characters being as ruthless as the other. Heath Ledger said so himself that he got inspiration for The Joker from A Clockwork Orange (and Sid Vicious)

You my friend, better do your homework before rambling on nonsense.

Outrageous lies! said...

This was just complete bullshit!

You're a freaking idiot if you truly think that Ledger's joker is even at all similar!
There voices and mannerisms have nothing in common except that they
re both rude and harsh sounding.

While I don't disagree that Kaufman is a genius(though not one of my liking), it is absolutely disgusting that you would accuse such a brilliant and talented actor of plagarism and then provide the shakiest of evidence that does not even show a slight bit of what you claim. You also claim to see so many similarities but utterly FAIL to point out any specific ones that could at all help out your outrageous, and ignorant claim.

Ledger's portrayal of the Joker was a immensely intricate and wonderful masterpiece that was praised by audiences and actual critics(ones with knowledge of acting and performances; which you clearly lack) the world over-Which is why his role won 5 prestigious awards.

Do some actual research before making such outrageous accusations against a brilliant, deceased actor.

UES Museums

ues museums new york city 10021 Headline Animator

ues museums new york city 10021