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IMDbPro

The King of Comedy

  • 19821982
  • PGPG
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
108K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,374
778
Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis in The King of Comedy (1982)
Theatrical Trailer from 20th Century Fox
Play trailer1:25
6 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
108K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,374
778
  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writer
    • Paul D. Zimmerman
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Jerry Lewis
    • Diahnne Abbott
  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writer
    • Paul D. Zimmerman
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Jerry Lewis
    • Diahnne Abbott
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 337User reviews
    • 126Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos6

    The King of Comedy
    Trailer 1:25
    Watch The King of Comedy
    Does 'Joker' Exist in a Scorsese-Verse of Films?
    Clip 2:53
    Watch Does 'Joker' Exist in a Scorsese-Verse of Films?
    A Guide to the Films of Martin Scorsese
    Clip 2:06
    Watch A Guide to the Films of Martin Scorsese
    Holy Martin Scorsese! 'Joker' Is New 'King of Comedy'
    Clip 4:00
    Watch Holy Martin Scorsese! 'Joker' Is New 'King of Comedy'
    The King Of Comedy: Let's get on with the show
    Clip 2:46
    Watch The King Of Comedy: Let's get on with the show
    25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro
    Video 3:08
    Watch 25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro

    Photos169

    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
    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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    Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
    7.3
    Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

    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
      When Rupert and Rita are at dinner, and he is showing her his book, the level of her drink varies considerably without her touching it.
    • 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 reviews337

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Scorsese's forgotten masterpiece
    From Jerry Lewis's subtle, deeply personal performance, to Robert DeNiro's amazing interpretation of a neurotic nerbish whose fantasy world collides with reality on late night talk TV, "The King of Comedy" is a true original that guts the glamour from showbiz and finds it cold and empty inside. Then there's the media, always ready to create another celebrity, even if he's an autograph hound and hack comic turned kidnapper who believes he's earned a shot in the spotlight. Cynical and melancholy, at times hilarious, it bombed when first released, but has been surprising video treasure hunters ever since.
    helpful•118
    8
    • djfoster
    • Aug 23, 1999

    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(Jerry Langford's offices)
    • 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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