Want to smell like an Andy Kaufman prank? Now you can

By Michael Pearson, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 10:28 AM EDT, Thu October 8, 2015
Andy Kaufman, the comedian who wasn't a comedian, as Latka Gravas on ABC's television show, "Taxi," one of his best-known roles, in 1978. Kaufman's death in 1984 has fueled many conspiracy theories to the effect that the actor faked it. Take a look back at his life cut short.
Andy Kaufman, the comedian who wasn't a comedian, as Latka Gravas on ABC's television show, "Taxi," one of his best-known roles, in 1978. Kaufman's death in 1984 has fueled many conspiracy theories to the effect that the actor faked it. Take a look back at his life cut short.
JIM BRITT/abc/getty images
John Denver, left, Kaufman as "Foreign Man," and Dick Van Dyke during one of Kaufman's many "unscheduled" appearance on Van Dyke and Company in 1976. He became a favorite during the sketches.
John Denver, left, Kaufman as "Foreign Man," and Dick Van Dyke during one of Kaufman's many "unscheduled" appearance on Van Dyke and Company in 1976. He became a favorite during the sketches.
NBC/Getty images
Andy Kaufman onstage in 1977, wearing a "I love grandma" sweater after doing one of his trademark Elvis impersonations.
Andy Kaufman onstage in 1977, wearing a "I love grandma" sweater after doing one of his trademark Elvis impersonations.
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Anne Murray, clockwise from upper left, Kaufman as Santa, Tom T. Hall, June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash appear on the "Johnny Cash Christmas Special" on CBS in 1979.
Anne Murray, clockwise from upper left, Kaufman as Santa, Tom T. Hall, June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash appear on the "Johnny Cash Christmas Special" on CBS in 1979.
CBS /Landov
Kaufman with Danny DeVito during the episode "Latka the Playboy" on "Taxi," which aired on May 21, 1981. DeVito in 1999 produced a film about his co-star's life, titled "Man on the Moon," and starring Jim Carrey as Kaufman.
Kaufman with Danny DeVito during the episode "Latka the Playboy" on "Taxi," which aired on May 21, 1981. DeVito in 1999 produced a film about his co-star's life, titled "Man on the Moon," and starring Jim Carrey as Kaufman.
ABC/Getty images
During the Janurary 30, 1982, episode of "Saturday Night Live," Kaufman performs an Elvis Presley impersonation. Kaufman had a lifelong fascination with the King.
During the Janurary 30, 1982, episode of "Saturday Night Live," Kaufman performs an Elvis Presley impersonation. Kaufman had a lifelong fascination with the King.
NBC/getty images
Kaufman had to go to a hospital for X-rays on his neck after getting a "pile driver" from professional wrestler Jerry Lawler during a match in Memphis on April 5, 1982. Like most of Kaufman's antics, his wrestling career was all a put-on, lending credence to rumors that his death itself was a hoax. "I would like nothing better than to know that Andy was still alive and been with us all this time," Lawler told CNN. "But like anybody else, I really don't know any more than what I've heard."
Kaufman had to go to a hospital for X-rays on his neck after getting a "pile driver" from professional wrestler Jerry Lawler during a match in Memphis on April 5, 1982. Like most of Kaufman's antics, his wrestling career was all a put-on, lending credence to rumors that his death itself was a hoax. "I would like nothing better than to know that Andy was still alive and been with us all this time," Lawler told CNN. "But like anybody else, I really don't know any more than what I've heard."
Memphis Commercial Appeal/ap
Andy Warhol, left, with Caitlin Clarke, Debbie Harry and Kaufman, who appeared together in the Broadway show "Teaneck Tansi: The Venus Flytrap" at the Nederlander Theatre in New York. The show ran for only one night, on April 20, 1983.
Andy Warhol, left, with Caitlin Clarke, Debbie Harry and Kaufman, who appeared together in the Broadway show "Teaneck Tansi: The Venus Flytrap" at the Nederlander Theatre in New York. The show ran for only one night, on April 20, 1983.
Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Andy Kaufman: Tank you veddy much

Story highlights

A celebrity perfume company says it will release an Andy Kaufman-inspired scent

It's drawn from a 1979 stunt in which he took a crowd out for milk and cookies

CNN  — 

Well, this smells like a prank. But, apparently, it’s not.

Xyrena, a California company that bills itself as a “celebrity partnered on-demand perfumery,” is releasing “Andy Kaufman Milk & Cookies,” a fragrance inspired by the comedian’s 1979 Carnegie Hall show that ended with him taking the house out for … milk and cookies … in a fleet of waiting buses.

The scent, which will sell for $42, is being released to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the legendary late comic’s appearance on the debut episode of “Saturday Night Live,” according to the company.

“Andy Kaufman once said, ‘There’s no way to describe what I do. It’s just me,’ ” Xyrena founder Killian Wells said in a news release. “That quote and Andy’s opposition to the societal norm has always resonated with me. As a New York native and fan I’m excited to pay homage to Andy’s undeniable genius.”

Wells is paying that homage with a fragrance that “opens with top notes of sugar and sweet butter then develops into a heart of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and a delicate note of creamy milk, followed by bottom notes of vanilla extract and white musk,” according to Xyrena.

Why does Andy Kaufman still fascinate?

The company has created fragrances with the family of the late singer Aaliyah, YouTube star Sebastian Olzanski, a contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” called Pearl, and Dalton Maldonado, a Kentucky teenager who came out as gay while playing for his high school basketball team.

Kaufman, who died in 1984, was known for elaborate pranks and hoaxes. He sometimes appeared as a foul lounge singer named Tony Clifton, wrestled with women and, according to some, planned to fake his own death.

As recently as a few years ago, rumors were still swirling that his reappearance was imminent, then his brother, Michael Kaufman, said he had been the victim of a hoax.

In its news release, Xyrena quoted Kaufman as saying “It’s great to have Andy brought back, in any way, even if only in a bottle.”

“Call me crazy but I still fantasize about the day when Andy will return, performing in front of live audiences again,” the company quoted Michael Kaufman as saying.

“Andy Kaufman Milk & Cookies” will debut at the Andy Kaufman Award show Sunday in New York, the company says.