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IMDbPro

The King of Comedy

  • 19821982
  • PGPG
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
103K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,008
435
Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis in The King of Comedy (1982)
Theatrical Trailer from 20th Century Fox
Play trailer1:25
5 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama
Rupert Pupkin is a passionate yet unsuccessful comic who craves nothing more than to be in the spotlight and to achieve this, he stalks and kidnaps his idol to take the spotlight for himself... Read allRupert Pupkin is a passionate yet unsuccessful comic who craves nothing more than to be in the spotlight and to achieve this, he stalks and kidnaps his idol to take the spotlight for himself.Rupert Pupkin is a passionate yet unsuccessful comic who craves nothing more than to be in the spotlight and to achieve this, he stalks and kidnaps his idol to take the spotlight for himself.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
103K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,008
435
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Paul D. Zimmerman
    • Stars
      • Robert De Niro
      • Jerry Lewis
      • Diahnne Abbott
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Paul D. Zimmerman
    • Stars
      • Robert De Niro
      • Jerry Lewis
      • Diahnne Abbott
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 331User reviews
    • 118Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos5

    The King of Comedy
    Trailer 1:25
    The King of Comedy
    Does 'Joker' Exist in a Scorsese-Verse of Films?
    Clip 2:53
    Does 'Joker' Exist in a Scorsese-Verse of Films?
    A Guide to the Films of Martin Scorsese
    Clip 2:06
    A Guide to the Films of Martin Scorsese
    Holy Martin Scorsese! 'Joker' Is New 'King of Comedy'
    Clip 4:00
    Holy Martin Scorsese! 'Joker' Is New 'King of Comedy'
    25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro
    Video 3:08
    25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro

    Photos166

    Jerry Lewis in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro and Sandra Bernhard in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Robert De Niro and Sandra Bernhard in The King of Comedy (1982)
    Martin Scorsese at an event for The King of Comedy (1982)
    Martin Scorsese and Jerry Lewis at an event for The King of Comedy (1982)
    Joe Berlinger and Loren Eiferman at an event for The King of Comedy (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Rupert Pupkin
    Jerry Lewis
    Jerry Lewis
    • Jerry Langford
    Diahnne Abbott
    Diahnne Abbott
    • Rita Keane
    Sandra Bernhard
    Sandra Bernhard
    • Masha
    Ed Herlihy
    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
    Marta Heflin
    • Young Girl
    Katherine Wallach
    • Autograph Seeker
    Charles Kaleina
    • Autograph Seeker
    Richard Baratz
    • Caricaturist
    Catherine Scorsese
    Catherine Scorsese
    • Rupert's Mom
    • (voice)
    Cathy Scorsese
    • Dolores
    Chuck Low
    Chuck Low
    • Man in Chinese Restaurant
    • (as Chuck L. Low)
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Paul D. Zimmerman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    The King of Comedy: Deleted and Extended Scenes
    7.1
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    Casino
    8.2
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    The Color of Money
    7.0
    The Color of Money

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Much of the scene where Rupert (Robert De Niro) shows up at Jerry's house was improvised. Kim Chan improvised his lines when Jonno calls Jerry. The part where Jonno has troubling opening the front door was not planned. Chan really could not open the door, and Jerry Lewis improvised his reaction.
    • Goofs
      Camera/cameraman reflected in the closing glass door when the security guard escorts Pupkin out of the office.
    • Quotes

      Rupert Pupkin: Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime.

    • Connections
      Featured in Saturday Night Live: Jerry Lewis/Loverboy (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      Jerry Langford Theme
      Written, arranged and performed by Bob James

    User reviews331

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Darkly, Starkly Funny
    Saw it first time late at night and never thought about sleeping again for a couple of days.

    DeNiro nails perfectly the unflappable and determined comic wannabe. We watch him throughout the whole film, wondering, Is he really just that sure of himself, or is he dangerously deranged? That question will take you through right to the end. Between Rupert, whose basement (in his mother's house) is decorated like a comedy club, and his oddball chum (S.Bernhard), there's considerable pathos. Jerry Lewis gives a lot of insight into the real person behind his easygoing public persona.

    Part of what makes this movie so compelling is Scorsese's decision to keep the musical score to a minimum. Music could force the viewer to a conclusion that isn't entirely accurate. Listening to Rupert's endless exchanges Jerry, and everyone who stands in his way -- as is, without musical coloring -- enhances the "squirm factor."

    Anyone who has been in the uncomfortable position of coming to regret being nice to someone will relate to this movie. It's a must-see, and despite being more than 20 years old now, it is not a bit dated.

    /r
    helpful•92
    11
    • rwd4evr
    • Mar 22, 2004

    FAQ1

    • What is the entire monologue that Rupert Pupkin gives on the Jerry Langford Show?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1982 (Iceland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • King of Comedy
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Building - 1501 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Embassy International Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,536,242
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $137,624
      • Feb 21, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,536,242
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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