The King of Comedy (1983)
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, (more)
- Director(s):
- Martin Scorsese
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Category:
- Comedy
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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, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 109 mins
Complete Cast:
- Robert De Niro - Rupert Pupkin
- Diahnne Abbott - Rita
- Shelley Hack - Cathy
- Ed Herlihy - Himself
- Margo Winkler - Receptionist
- Victor Borge - Himself
- Tony Devon - Plainclothesman
- George Kapp - Mystery Guest
- Charles Scorsese - Man at Bar
- Whitey Ryan - Stage Door Guard
- Liza Minnelli - Herself
- Mardik Martin - Men at Bar
- Leslie Levinson - Roberta Posner
- Ray Dittrich - Giardello
- Sel Vitella - Man at Telephone
- Marvin Scott - Newsman
- Martin Scorsese - TV director
- Mick Jones - Street Scum
- Doc Lawless - Chauffeur
- Ellen Foley - Street Scum
- 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
- Jeff David - Announcer
- Peter Fain - Plainclothesman
- Thelma Lee - Woman in Phone Booth
- Catherine Scorsese - Rupert's Mom
- Ralph Monaco - Raymond Wirtz
- Bill Minkin - McCabe
- Charles Low - Man in Chinese Restaurant
- 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
- Marta Heflin - Young Girl
- Richard Dioguardi - Capt. Burk
- Kim Chan - Jonno
- Director(s):
- Martin Scorsese
- Writer(s):
- Paul D. Zimmerman
- Producer(s):
- Arnon Milchan
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children)
- Categories:
- Comedy
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1983 - The King of Comedy - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Original Screenplay
