While serving in the Pacific, Kaufman had contracted malaria and dengue fever, and upon his return to the United States, felt he could no longer deal with the extremes of the New York City climate.
In 1949, Kaufman wrote the screenplay for the short film Ragtime Bear, which was the first appearance of Mr. Magoo.
In 1950, Kaufman lent his name to screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who had been blacklisted after investigation by the House Un-American Activities Committee, for the screenplay for Gun Crazy.
Although he usually worked as a writer, he also directed Convicts 4 (1962) and served as associate producer for Raintree County (1957).
McSweeney's published Kaufman's first fiction novel, titled Bowl of Cherries, in October 2007.