I Wouldn't Doubt It

© AP / Andy Kaufman

Andy Kaufman's brother claims the comedian is alive

Nov. 14, 2013, 8:33 AM EST

WENN

Andy Kaufman's brother has fueled the mystery surrounding the comedian's death by claiming the funnyman is still alive and even fathered a daughter.

The "Taxi" star passed away in 1984 at the age of 35 after losing his battle with lung cancer, but fans have long speculated that his death was a hoax. Rumors about Kaufman's fate resurfaced on Monday after his brother Michael gave a bizarre speech during the annual Andy Kaufman Awards in New York City.

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At that point, Michael shocked the audience by bringing a young woman onto stage and introduced her as the 24-year-old daughter Andy spoke of in the letter. In video footage taken at Monday's event, obtained by TMZ, the unnamed woman backed Michael's story and claimed Andy has been living in secret as a stay-at-home dad. She also claimed that Andy originally agreed to come out of hiding after 29 years to attend the awards but backed out at the last minute. The Hollywood Reporter has since contacted Michael, who claimed the mystery woman was impossible to reach for further questions. If Kaufman was still alive today, he would be 64 years old.