The King of Comedyis a 1983 American dark comedy filmstarring Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis , and directed by Martin Scorsese . The subject of the movie is celebrity stalking . It was released on February 18, 1983 in the United States by 20th Century Fox .

Rupert Pupkin (De Niro), a stage-door autograph hound, is an aspiring stand-up comic with obsessive ambition far in excess of his still-budding talent. After an accidental meeting with Jerry Langford (Lewis), a famous comedian and talk show host, Rupert believes his "big break" has finally come. He attempts to get a place on the show, but is continually rebuffed by Langford's staff and, finally, by Langford himself.

Along the way, Rupert indulges in elaborate and obsessive fantasies where he and Langford are colleagues and friends. He even takes a date, Rita, to Langford's home, uninvited, trying to impress her.

When the straight approach does not work, Rupert hatches a kidnapping plot with the help of Masha ( Sandra Bernhard ), a stalker familiar with Langford's movements. As ransom, Rupert demands that he be given the opening spot on that evening's Jerry Langford Show (guest hosted by Tony Randall ), and that the show be broadcast in normal fashion. The network brass, lawyers, and the FBI agree, with the understanding that Langford will be released once the show airs nationally. Between the taping of the show and the broadcast, Masha has her "dream date" with Langford, who is duct-taped to a chair in her parents' Manhattan townhouse. Jerry convinces her to untie him and escapes.

Rupert's stand-up routine is well-received. He closes by confessing to the audience that he kidnapped Jerry Langford in order to break into show business. The studio audience laughs, thinking that it is a part of his act. Rupert responds by saying, "Tomorrow you'll know I wasn't kidding and you'll all think I'm crazy. But I figure it this way: better to be king for a night, than schmuck for a lifetime."

The movie closes with a news report of Rupert's release from prison, set to a montage of storefronts stocking his "long awaited" autobiography,King For A Night. The report informs that Rupert still considers Jerry Langford his mentor and friend, and that he and his agent are currently weighing several "attractive offers."

The final scene shows Rupert taking the stage for an apparent TV special with a live audience and an announcer enthusiastically introducing and praising him.