Latka the Playboy

Mild-mannered immigrant mechanic Latka Gravas (Andy Kaufman) is frustrated by his lack of success with women. Hoping to improve his social life, Latka locks himself up for several weeks of intense "study," using as his study guides a collection of English-language tapes and several back issues of Playboy magazine. When he emerges, Latka has assumed a new and radically different personality: That of a swinging, womanizing lounge lizard named Vince Ferrari. It has now become part of showbiz folklore that the mercurial Andy Kaufman remained obnoxiously "in character" as Latka's alter ego throughout the filming of this episode, even insisting that the series' producers sign "Vince Ferrari" to a separate contract! "Latka the Playboy" was the final episode of Taxi's third season.