The King of Comedy (1983)
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, (more)
- Director(s):
- Martin Scorsese
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of The King of Comedy
Martin Scorsese's satirical comedy/drama caustically explores the lengths to which a nobody will go to be as famous as his idol. Practicing his patter in his basement with cardboard cut-outs of his favorite celebrities, mediocre aspiring comedian Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) believes that one appearance on the evening talk show of the Johnny Carson-esque Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) will be his ticket to stardom. After he helps Jerry escape the advances of amorous fan Masha (Sandra Bernhard), Rupert takes Jerry's patronizing brush-off as a true promise for an audition and begins haunting Jerry's office. Provoked by Masha's needling and a rejection from Jerry's smooth production exec Cathy Long (Shelley Hack), Rupert makes a disastrous trip to Jerry's country house with embarrassed date Rita (Diahnne Abbott), then hatches an even more outlandish scheme to get ahead. With Masha's help, Rupert kidnaps Jerry and demands as ransom the TV appearance that he believes will turn his fantasy into reality. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 109 mins
Complete Cast of The King of Comedy
- Robert De Niro - Rupert Pupkin
- Diahnne Abbott - Rita
- Shelley Hack - Cathy
- Ed Herlihy - Himself
- Margo Winkler - Receptionist
- Richard Dioguardi - Capt. Burk
- Liza Minnelli - Herself
- Mardik Martin - Men at Bar
- Leslie Levinson - Roberta Posner
- Doc Lawless - Chauffeur
- Marta Heflin - Young Girl
- Ray Dittrich - Giardello
- Sel Vitella - Man at Telephone
- Marvin Scott - Newsman
- Martin Scorsese - TV director
- Mick Jones - Street Scum
- Charles Scorsese - Man at Bar
- Whitey Ryan - Stage Door Guard
- Peter Fain - Plainclothesman
- Victor Borge - Himself
- Frederick de Cordova - Himself
- Joyce Brothers - Herself
- Jerry Lewis - Jerry Langford
- Sandra Bernhard - Marsha
- Tony Randall - Himself
- Lou Brown - Band Leader
- Scotty Bloch - Crockett's Secretary
- Ellen Foley - Street Scum
- Bill Minkin - McCabe
- Charles Low - Man in Chinese Restaurant
- Thelma Lee - Woman in Phone Booth
- George Kapp - Mystery Guest
- Matt Russo - Cabbie
- Diane Rachell - Mrs. McCabe
- Loretta Tupper - Stage Door Fan
- Joe Strummer - Street Scum
- Edgar J. Scherick - Wilson Crockett
- Katherine Wallach - Autograph Seeker
- Catherine Scorsese - Rupert's Mom
- Ralph Monaco - Raymond Wirtz
- Tony Devon - Plainclothesman
- Kim Chan - Jonno
- Jeff David - Announcer
- Director(s):
- Martin Scorsese
- Writer(s):
- Paul D. Zimmerman
- Producer(s):
- Arnon Milchan
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Not For Children, Mild Violence, Adult Situations)
- Categories:
- Comedy
- 1983 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Original Screenplay
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