The King of Comedy

Rupert Pupkin, a determined but starry-eyed comic, believes that success in show business hinges on one big break. He fixates on Jerry Langford, a televised host who guards his private life as if behind a fortress of reservations. Rupert sets out to crash Langford's world through a blend of persistence and improvised show material, convinced that a flawless performance on Langford's network could launch him into stardom. He hones a routine, courts a bit of luck, and leverages whatever connections or situations arise, blurring lines between ambition and intrusion. The film tracks his escalating attempts with deadpan humor and a sting of unease, offering a sharp critique of fame, fandom, and the price of a breakthrough in modern life today.

The King of Comedy was directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Paul D Zimmerman. Released in 1982, the film pairs Robert De Niro as Pupkin with Jerry Lewis as Langford, in a biting look at fame and television.

Box office receipts were modest, totaling around 2.54 million dollars worldwide against a 19 million budget. Despite the financial shortfall, the film earned critical respect and later attracted audiences who appreciate Scorsese's unsettling wit about show business and its ambitions.

Over time the film has built a steady cult following for its fearless satire of celebrity hunger. De Niro's performance as Pupkin is frequently cited in discussions of acting choices that blur fantasy and reality, while Langford's guarded celebrity persona resonates in media narratives about privacy and control today too.

Critics at release offered mixed but thoughtful responses, calling the satire sharp yet unsettling. The film foregrounds themes of obsession, the commodification of laughter, and the erosion of boundaries between audience and performer, presenting fame as a perilous lure that can distort judgment and relationships in private lives and careers.