George is a very successful stand up comedian who learns that he has an untreatable blood disorder and is given less than a year to live. Ira is a struggling up-and-coming stand up comedian who works at a deli and has yet to figure out his onstage persona. One night, these two perform at the same club and George takes notice of Ira. George hires Ira to be his semi-personal assistant as well as his friend.
Over the past few years, writer / director Judd Apatow has shown that nothing—not even losing your virginity or the miracle of childbirth—is sacred. About his third film behind the camera, he says, “I’m trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!” Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in “Funny People,” the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience.
Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, RZA and newcomer Aubrey Plaza join a cast that reunites Judd Apatow with Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jonah Hill in their third comedy together.
About The Production
Judd Apatow has had a lifelong fascination with stand-up and the people who make it their livelihood. One summer, his mother, Tami Shad, worked in a comedy club in Southampton on Long Island, and as a young teenager, his nights at the club kindled his obsession. In high school, he created a radio talk show and interviewed comic performers he admired, from Howard Stern to Steve Allen and Paul Reiser to John Candy. He asked them how they did it…how they wrote jokes, performed and other secrets of their trade. Inspired by their guidance, he began performing stand-up by the end of his senior year.
After dropping out of USC School of Cinema, Apatow worked his way into a full-time gig at the legendary Improv Comedy Club in Los Angeles. While there, he kept at what was, by his admission, a “just okay run” as a stand-up…at least compared to the great performers he saw firsthand.
Following an appearance on a young comics special for HBO, Apatow started to realize it was unlikely he’d set the world on fire as a performer; therefore, he began to transition his focus from the stage to writing jokes for other comedians. It was his longtime roommate and friend who continued down the spotlit path…a young performer named Adam Sandler. But it would take several years honing their separate careers before they would work together on screen.
Read the Full Production Notes
Funny People
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Eric Bana, Andy Dick
Directed by: Judd Apatow
Screenplay by: Judd Apatow
Release Date: July 31st, 2009
MPAA Rating: R for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality.
Studio: Universal Pictures
Box Office Totals
Domestic: $51,855,045 (84.4%)
Foreign: $9,603,937 (15.6%)
Total: $61,458,982 (Worldwide)