Congratulations to our 2025 winner, Curtis Cook
About Curtis Cook
Curtis Cook is a standup comedian and WGA Award-nominated writer who has puked after a keg stand on a show called Flophouse, traveled through an Ebola checkpoint for a segment on Vice News, appeared on IFC's Portlandia, performed standup on Comedy Central, and been featured on Vulture’s annual Comedians You Should & Will Know list.In addition to performing, Curtis has written for the recent reboot of Crank Yankers, the Imogen Award winning Hulu comedy titled This Fool, the NAACP Award winning series Survival of the Thickest on Netflix, the GLAAD nominated American Dad on TBS, and the upcoming show Adults on FX.We are pleased to announce Curtis Cook as the 2025 Kaufman Award winner!
Andy Kaufman
“There will never be another Andy Kaufman” is a sentiment that has been echoed for years. Though Andy is gone (or so they say…), his unparalleled artistic spirit remains, embodied by the winners of The Kaufman Award.
Winner’s Hall of Fame
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About The Kaufman Award
The Kaufman Award works to maintain the memory of one of history’s most extraordinary performers.The award honors Kaufman's creativity, highlighting budding comedians whose on-stage presence showcase exemplary aspects of originality, creativity, spirit, and execution.A single winner is chosen from eligible applicants to receive the following:• $1,000 cash prize• Kaufman Award trophy• Interview with past winners• Nationwide publicityBackgroundKaufman’s purported death from cancer cut short a promising career brimming with undeniable talent. Despite his alleged untimely departure, Kaufman’s unpredictable persona and shocking stage presence have helped him to remain ever-prevalent in the comedy community, even decades after his final performance.In an effort to preserve Andy’s legacy, The Kaufman Award was created. The inaugural award ceremony took place on November 11, 2004 at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York and was hosted by the late and great Richard Belzer.The Award CriteriaThe Kaufman Award celebrates artists with unorthodox style and a willingness to take chances, defying what audiences have come to expect of comedy. Andy thought of himself as a performance artist, and this award showcases performers who similarly refuse to be placed into a singular box, inviting sorrow, rage, and puzzlement to share the stage in their act alongside ever-present laughter. their ac. The criteria for The Kaufman Award are in-keeping with his memory and highlight his dedication to originality, creativity, and spirit.The Talent CompetitionThe Kaufman Award is a national endeavor. Performers apply with video reels of original performances to be judged by a qualified batch of judges, culminating in a live showcase for selected artists in NYC, NY.
Please check back in a few months for updated submission info!
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