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IMDbPro

The King of Comedy

  • 1982
  • PG
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
109K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,131
890
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.

  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writer
    • Paul D. Zimmerman
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Jerry Lewis
    • Diahnne Abbott
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    109K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,131
    890
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Paul D. Zimmerman
    • Stars
      • Robert De Niro
      • Jerry Lewis
      • Diahnne Abbott
    • 342User reviews
    • 127Critic 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

    The Movies of Martin Scorsese

    The Movies of Martin Scorsese

    From Who's That Knocking at My Door to Killers of the Flower Moon, see some of our favorite stills from Martin Scorsese's films
    See the full gallery
    Production art
    Photos

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Martin Scorsese has said that he thought Robert De Niro's best performance under his direction was in this film.
    • 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 reviews342

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Scorsese and De Niro's underrated black comedy masterpiece.
    'The King Of Comedy' is easily Martin Scorsese's most underrated and misunderstood movie. Scorsese and Robert De Niro's previous collaboration was the brilliant boxing biopic 'Raging Bull', generally regarded by most people as a masterpiece. Then the two made 'The King Of Comedy'... What a brave move! You couldn't find a more different movie, but one just as impressive and extraordinary. This movie is disliked by many, deliberately ignored by others. It's a very uncomfortable film. It's a (very) black comedy and is genuinely funny in places, but much of it is embarrassing to watch. Not because it is inept, but because of the believability of De Niro's obnoxious and irritating "loser" and wanna be comic Rupert Pupkin. De Niro has made a lot of disappointing movies in the last few years but 'The King Of Comedy' reminds you of just how brilliant he can be. I can't think of many actors who would be brave enough to play this part! Jerry Lewis is a performer I have always disliked, but he is excellent in this movie, probably because he is playing someone very close to himself in real life. The rest of the supporting cast aren't the most obvious choices, led by confrontational comedienne Sandra Bernhard and the "forgotten" Charlie's Angel Shelley Hack. Plus there are Tony Randall and a couple of other celebrities playing themselves, and a blink and you'll miss it cameo by The Clash (!). I really admire Scorsese for taking such a risk with this movie, which is one of the most original and provocative ever released by a major Hollywood studio. Bravo! This is must see viewing for not only all Scorsese or De Niro fans, but anyone who appreciates unusual or difficult movies.
    helpful•172
    33
    • Infofreak
    • Apr 21, 2003

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    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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