|
The King of Comedy (1982) 7.8
Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin wants to achieve success in show biz by stalking his idol, a late night talk-show host who craves his own privacy. Director:Martin ScorseseWriter:Paul D. Zimmerman |
| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
Celebrate IMDb's 25th Anniversary with Photos We Love
IMDb turns 25 on October 17! To celebrate, we put together a gallery of some of our favorite movie, TV, and event photos from the last 25 years.
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Related Items
Search for "The King of Comedy" on Amazon.com
Share this Rating
Title: The King of Comedy (1982)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
People who liked this also liked...
Mean Streets
(1973)
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Robert De Niro,
Harvey Keitel,
David Proval
After Hours
(1985)
Comedy
|
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Griffin Dunne,
Rosanna Arquette,
Verna Bloom
Cape Fear
(1991)
Crime
|
Thriller
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Robert De Niro,
Nick Nolte,
Jessica Lange
Raging Bull
(1980)
Biography
|
Drama
|
Sport
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Robert De Niro,
Cathy Moriarty,
Joe Pesci
New York, New York
(1977)
Drama
|
Music
|
Musical
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Liza Minnelli,
Robert De Niro,
Lionel Stander
The Color of Money
(1986)
Drama
|
Sport
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Paul Newman,
Tom Cruise,
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Bringing Out the Dead
(1999)
Drama
|
Thriller
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Nicolas Cage,
Patricia Arquette,
John Goodman
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Ellen Burstyn,
Kris Kristofferson,
Mia Bendixsen
Drama
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Willem Dafoe,
Harvey Keitel,
Barbara Hershey
I Call First
(1967)
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Harvey Keitel,
Zina Bethune,
Anne Collette
The Age of Innocence
(1993)
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Stars:
Daniel Day-Lewis,
Michelle Pfeiffer,
Winona Ryder
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Robert De Niro | ... | ||
| Jerry Lewis | ... | ||
| Diahnne Abbott | ... |
Rita
|
|
| Sandra Bernhard | ... | ||
 |
Ed Herlihy | ... |
Ed Herlihy
|
|
|
Lou Brown | ... |
Band Leader
|
|
|
Loretta Tupper | ... |
Stage Door Fan
|
|
|
Peter Potulski | ... |
Stage Door Fan
|
|
|
Vinnie Gonzales | ... |
Stage Door Fan
|
|
|
Whitey Ryan | ... |
Stage Door Guard
|
|
|
Doc Lawless | ... |
Chauffeur
|
|
|
Marta Heflin | ... |
Young Girl
|
|
|
Katherine Wallach | ... |
Autograph Seeker
|
|
|
Charles Kaleina | ... |
Autograph Seeker
|
|
|
Richard Baratz | ... |
Caricaturist
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (113) »
Storyline
Rupert Pupkin is obsessed with becoming a comedy great. However, when he confronts his idol, talk show host Jerry Langford, with a plea to perform on the Jerry's show, he is only given the run-around. He does not give up, however, but persists in stalking Jerry until he gets what he wants. Eventually he must team up with his psychotic Langford-obsessed friend Masha to kidnap the talk show host in hopes of finally getting to perform his stand-up routine. Written by Andrew Hyatt <dres@uiuc.edu>
Plot Keywords:
cult film | perseverance | adult lives at home | black humor | man with glasses |Taglines:
. . and when it's all over one of them won't be laughing See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
18 December 1982 (Iceland) See more »Also Known As:
King of Comedy See more »Box Office
Budget:
$20,000,000 (estimated)Gross:
$2,500,000 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Ed Herlihy: And now, from New York, The Jerry Langford Show! With Jerry's guests Tony Randall, Richard Dreyfuss, Rodney Dangerfield, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Lou Brown and the orchestra, and little old me Ed Herlihy. And now say hello to Jerry!
See more »
Did You Know?
Goofs
Rupert is talking to Jerry in Jerry's limousine. Rupert bandages his hand with Jerry's handkerchief. In the next sequence in the car the bandage is missing. Following this Rupert's hand is again bandaged. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Ed Herlihy: And now, from New York, The Jerry Langford Show! With Jerry's guests Tony Randall, Richard Dreyfuss, Rodney Dangerfield, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Lou Brown and the orchestra, and little old me Ed Herlihy. And now say hello to Jerry!
See more »
Martin Scorsese's clever, inventive and splendidly witty little masterpiece "The King of Comedy" was highly underrated 19 years ago but nowadays it rightfully gets more of that appreciation it undoubtably deserves. My favorite Scorsese-flick will naturally always be the massively celebrated "Goodfellas" but yes, this is number two in my books (I love it even more than "Taxi driver", even though it's a perfect film too).
Both "Goodfellas" and "The King of Comedy" are in my all time favorite Top 10. Robert De Niro makes the very best comedic performance of his whole career as a wannabe-famous stand-up comedian Rupert Pupkin. Just observe his sensational, sharp and devoted acting in "King of comedy" and you will truly have the great pleasure of seeing a real genius at work.
Elderly Jerry Lewis is also marvelous as the melancholic and cheerless Jerry Langford. This is Lewis' best role as an aged actor and it has absolutely nothing to got to do with the vivid pre-Jim Carrey stuff he used to do in the 50's-60's. Although he made the biggest hits of his career back then "The King of Comedy" is one of his greatest achievements as a real, talented actor and not just a clown (Nothing wrong with the clown, though. I do love old Lewis comedies too).
People who claim this movie is not a comedy: I can surely agree but not without reserve. Of course this is not the traditional comedy, that goes without saying and the humor we have is very odd and black. However this is a film that really makes me laugh. Laugh a lot. Characters, acting and script are so bloody hilarious and the unbelievable story is incredibly funny I can't help of loving every single scene. This is exactly what I would call a perfect film. 10/10.