The King of Comedy is a 1982 American satirical black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul D. Zimmerman. The film stars Robert De Niro—in his fifth collaboration with Scorsese—alongside Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard. It follows an aspiring stand-up comedian whose obsessive desire for fame leads him to target a successful late-night television host, exploring themes of celebrity culture, media illusion, and the pursuit of notoriety. Principal photography began in New York City on June 1, 1981, in part to avoid disruption from a planned Writers Guild of America strike.