Punchline
“Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.”
Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah develop her stage act. Despite the objections of her family and some very wobbly beginnings, Lilah improves, and soon she finds herself competing with Steven for a coveted television spot.
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Cast
69 people
Sally Field
Lilah Krytsick
Known for
Forrest Gump
Mrs. Doubtfire
Tom Hanks
Steven Gold
Known for
Forrest Gump
Toy Story
John Goodman
John Krytsick
Known for
Monsters, Inc.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Mark Rydell
Romeo
Known for
The Long Goodbye
Hollywood Ending
Kim Greist
Madeline Urie
Known for
Manhunter
Brazil
Paul Mazursky
Arnold
Known for
Antz
Fear and Desire
Damon Wayans
Percy
Known for
Lethal Weapon
The Last Boy Scout
Taylor Negron
Albert Emperato
Known for
The Last Boy Scout
Nothing but Trouble
Pam Matteson
Utica Blake
Also in
Prehysteria! 3
Million Dollar Mystery
George McGrath
Brian, the Singing Nun
Known for
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
Barry Neikrug
Krug
Known for
The Butcher's Wife
Ángel Salazar
Rico
Known for
Scarface
Carlito's Way
David Seltzer Director · Charles Gross Composer Reynaldo Villalobos Cinematographer
Worldwide gross $21M · Budget $15M · United States release October 7, 1988
Box office
Budget
$15,000,000
Worldwide gross
$21,032,267
Gross vs. budget
1.4×
Production
Columbia Pictures
Production · Studio
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
Denmark · October 7, 1988
Physical
United States · October 7, 1988
Theatrical
Czechia
October 1, 1995 · Physical
France
May 3, 1989 · Theatrical
Germany
April 5, 1990 · Theatrical
Italy
June 23, 1989 · Theatrical
Japan
November 3, 1989 · Theatrical
Portugal
October 7, 1988 · Theatrical
Sweden
October 7, 1988 · Physical
United Kingdom
April 7, 1989 · Theatrical
More from David Seltzer
Other films they directed, best known first.
Some details come from TheTVDB.