IMDb > The King of Comedy (1982)
The King of Comedy
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The King of Comedy (1982) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 16 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
The King of Comedy (1982) -- Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin wants to achieve success in showbiz, by resorting to stalking his idol, a late night talk show host who craves his own privacy.
The King of Comedy (1982) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   17,575 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Paul D. Zimmerman (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The King of Comedy on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 February 1983 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
. . and when it's all over one of them won't be laughing more
Plot:
Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin wants to achieve success in showbiz, by resorting to stalking his idol, a late night talk show host who craves his own privacy. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(17 articles)
User Comments:
I love it. Uncontested first-rate masterpiece from Scorsese. more (164 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robert De Niro ... Rupert Pupkin

Jerry Lewis ... Jerry Langford
Diahnne Abbott ... Rita Keane

Sandra Bernhard ... Masha
Shelley Hack ... Cathy Long
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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When Rupert is talking to Rita in a restaurant, a man in the background is imitating Rupert's hand gestures more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Jerry is wearing the sweater that Masha knitted him, her reflection is in the mirror behind him and she is talking but her reflection's mouth is not moving. 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!
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Scorsese on Scorsese (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Back on the Chain Gang more

FAQ

What is the entire monologue that Rupert Pupkin gives on the Jerry Langford Show?
more
47 out of 58 people found the following comment useful.
I love it. Uncontested first-rate masterpiece from Scorsese., 10 September 2002
10/10
Author: Mika Pykäläaho (bygis80@hotmail.com) from Järvenpää, Finland

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (164 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The King of Comedy (1982)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Did anyone else find Masha hilarious? llama123
The ending. Real or imagined? jimmylh-geo
Iceland LynchScorsese
De Niro's best performance? jeffheslop
'rather be a king for a night, than a shmuck for a lifetime' pika317-1
New, In Depth Review of The King of Comedy robhiphop
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Thank You for Smoking Party Monster Storytelling I Love Your Work The Bodyguard
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.