I guess I really didn't delve into just how far Andy took the whole character phase, but your examples really shed the light on some of the instances where I could've talked about.
Nevertheless, this discussion relates me back to January 17th, 2000, it was a Monday and we were just resuming school after our Christmas break.
I had seen MAN ON THE MOON for the third and last time on Saturday, the 15th with another one of my friends <I always brought a pal along> and was by now totally transfixed by Kaufman. I hadn't seen or heard tell of him until I saw the movie for the first time on Christmas Eve at the 7.00 PM show and something just hit my high strings about what he did and how it related to me.
People always thought of me a little off in school, an odd coincidence to Andy as I'd always play differant little roles from day to day. <which I believe one of the reasons why I frigging loved MotM so much>
My friends and non-friends alike loved the various instances as I tend to be quite good at the celebrity impression in particular, I'd go on as Brando from The Godfather for at least 20 minutes. Someone would come up to me while I was at the cafeteria table and accuse me of stealing their hackie sack, I'd then turn to them, put on a Brando frown with the raised eyebrows and start my scratchy voice:
"I am surrounded by some of my closest friends, engaged in a conversation about good things they are embracing me of. And you come up to me and accuse me of doing something morally wrong? How long have we known each other for my friend? Do I not do favours for you from time to time? What have I done to deserve such disrespect?"
My friends and other people at the table would be in stiches laughing while I tried to keep a straight face, then I would turn to them and continue the Marlon Brando act for aout fifteen minutes, asking them why they would laugh at a tired old man.
Anyway, back on topic:
My reason for writing this message is to state that I have done numerous 'characters' for long periods of time under extreme pressure, people would ask me to stop but I would continue on until eventually they had my 'character' times down cold and God was it hard! I'd do Latka from 11.30 until 12.00, Brando from 12.00 to 12.30 and sometimes others. But eventually people would say 'Hi Godfather' just to go on with the joke, God Bless them, and I'd realize that they loved me for it. Thats what I had now been stereotyped as and thats what they expected, I fell into the 'Andy Trap' and wanted to get out of it. They never expected to find the real me, therefore just wanted more acts, this is where I really begin to admire Andy; he never shut up!
I've since stopped doing the acts but am still remembered for them, and have realized that Andy sacraficed pretty much reputation to go on as the put-on artist.