5. Robert De Niro - The King Of Comedy
Robert De Niro gives a memorable performance as Rupert Pupkin, the sad and twisted hero in Scorsese's dark 1983 comedy about the obsession with fame and celebrity. As Pupkin, De Niro plays a lonely man, still living at home with his Mother, who dreams of one day making it big as a stand up comedian. Pupkin feels he can become a success in show business with the help of talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis), and after a chance meeting with the star, Pupkin feels his time is due. De Niro, in a rare turn in his career, gives a performance that at it's heart, has a large sense of humor. He manages to play scenes in The King Of Comedy that are both equally humorous and unnerving to watch, not an easy accomplishment. While in his basement, with the help of some strategically placed cardboard cutouts, Pupkin creates a fantasy where he is a guest on Langford's show, engaging in deep conversation with these inanimate objects. De Niro makes Pupkin likeable throughout the film, but there is an underbelly of delusion and unpredictability in his work that still makes his character a danger. De Niro created a one of a kind, deeply complex character in a vastly overlooked film from Scorsese's reel. De Niro would find a niche for playing comedic roles later on in his career, finding success with the Analyze This and Meet The Parents franchises.