'Daughter' Claims Star Is Alive Taxi star Andy Kaufman faked his death and is still alive, a woman claiming to be his daughter has announced. Since officially dying from lung cancer in 1984 there have been rumours and speculation the American entertainer's death was part of an elaborate comedy stunt. A document apparently certifying Mr Kaufman's death from kidney failure can be found online. The woman claiming to be Mr Kaufman's daughter. But on Tuesday a 24-year-old woman appeared on stage at an awards ceremony held in his honour and hosted by his brother to announce that she was his daughter and he was alive. "He just wanted to be a stay-at-home dad, that's why he wanted to leave showbiz," she told Michael Kaufman, who also revealed he had discovered a letter from his brother in which he claimed he was still alive. She added: "He's pretty much a great dad, and raised us. My mum has her own business ... he helps her with that kind of thing, paperwork and stuff, so he can work from home and he doesn't have to be hiding out ... concealing himself. Mr Kaufman's 'death' certificate He just makes us food and takes care of the house. The letter, which was found by Michael Kaufman in 1999, explained that his brother had a wife and a daughter and had gone into hiding to live a normal life. Mr Kaufman was well-known for playing the role of Latka Gravas in Taxi, a character humoured for his poor spoken English. According to the New York Times, Mr Kaufman considered himself an entertainer, rather than a comedian. "I am not a comic, I have never told a joke," he said. The comedian's promise is that he will go out there and make you laugh with him. My only promise is that I will try and entertain you as best I can.