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IMDbPro

The King of Comedy

  • 19821982
  • PGPG
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
102K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,558
382
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
  • Comedy
  • Crime
  • Drama
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
102K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,558
382
  • 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
    • 330User reviews
    • 118Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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 Pupkinas Rupert Pupkin
    Jerry Lewis
    Jerry Lewis
    • Jerry Langfordas Jerry Langford
    Diahnne Abbott
    Diahnne Abbott
    • Rita Keaneas Rita Keane
    Sandra Bernhard
    Sandra Bernhard
    • Mashaas Masha
    Ed Herlihy
    Ed Herlihy
    • Ed Herlihyas Ed Herlihy
    Lou Brown
    • Band Leaderas Band Leader
    Loretta Tupper
    • Stage Door Fanas Stage Door Fan
    Peter Potulski
    • Stage Door Fanas Stage Door Fan
    Vinnie Gonzales
    • Stage Door Fanas Stage Door Fan
    Whitey Ryan
    • Stage Door Guardas Stage Door Guard
    Doc Lawless
    • Chauffeuras Chauffeur
    Marta Heflin
    Marta Heflin
    • Young Girlas Young Girl
    Katherine Wallach
    • Autograph Seekeras Autograph Seeker
    Charles Kaleina
    • Autograph Seekeras Autograph Seeker
    Richard Baratz
    • Caricaturistas Caricaturist
    Catherine Scorsese
    Catherine Scorsese
    • Rupert's Momas Rupert's Mom
    • (voice)
    Cathy Scorsese
    • Doloresas Dolores
    Chuck Low
    Chuck Low
    • Man in Chinese Restaurantas Man in Chinese Restaurant
    • (as Chuck L. Low)
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Paul D. Zimmerman
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    The King of Comedy: Deleted and Extended Scenes
    7.1
    The King of Comedy: Deleted and Extended Scenes

    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 reviews330

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Joker is really based on The King of Comedy.
    The time when Scorsese took another turn by making a disturbing dark comedy. This film turns the spotlight towards the show business industry by exploring the subjects of fame and celebrity and their influence over individuals and society as a whole. With a nice tone, excellent cinematography, good setting and a thrilling plotline, Scorsese crafted the perfect image of a delusional and obsessive sociopath portrayed by none other than Robert De Niro. I have to say that "The King of Comedy" along side "After Hours" are the most overlooked pictures in Martin Scorsese's catalogue.
    helpful•21
    0
    • Naoufel_Boucetta
    • Feb 17, 2021

    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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