The Jerk

The Jerk

1979 · 1h 34m · R

A rags to riches to rags story.

A simpleminded, sheltered country boy suddenly decides to leave his family home to experience life in the big city, where his naivete is both his best friend and his worst enemy.

Full synopsis

Navin is an idiot. He grew up in Mississippi as the adopted son of a black family, but on his 18th birthday he feels he wants to discover the rest of the world and sets out for St. Louis. There everyone exploits his naivete, until a simple invention brings him a fortune.

Crew

Cast (55)

Steve Martin Steve Martin Navin R. Johnson Bernadette Peters Bernadette Peters Marie Kimble Johnson Catlin Adams Catlin Adams Patty Bernstein Mabel King Mabel King Mother Richard Ward Richard Ward Father Carl Gottlieb Carl Gottlieb Iron Balls McGinty Dick Anthony Williams Dick Anthony Williams Taj Bill Macy Bill Macy Stan Fox M. Emmet Walsh M. Emmet Walsh Madman Dick O'Neill Dick O'Neill Frosty Maurice Evans Maurice Evans Hobart Helena Carroll Helena Carroll Hester Ren Woods Ren Woods Elvira Pepe Serna Pepe Serna Punk #1 Sonny Terry Sonny Terry Blues Singer Brownie McGhee Brownie McGhee Blues Singer Jackie Mason Jackie Mason Harry Hartounian Sharon Johansen Lenore Hartounian Gene LeBell Gene LeBell Con Man Carl Reiner Carl Reiner Carl Reiner the Celebrity Larry Hankin Larry Hankin Circus Hand (uncredited) Howard Hesseman Howard Hesseman Carnival Worker (uncredited) Rob Reiner Rob Reiner Truck Driver Picking Up Navin (uncredited) Gailard Sartain Gailard Sartain Guy with Cracked Airplane Seats (uncredited) Lenny Montana Lenny Montana Con Man William Schallert William Schallert Judge M.A. Loring David Landsberg David Landsberg Bank Manager Domingo Ambriz Domingo Ambriz Father De Cordoba Richard Foronjy Richard Foronjy Con Man Clete Roberts Announcer Frances E. Williams Frances E. Williams Grandma Johnson Lydia McGhee Cleotis Johnson Niko Denise Holmes Satch Johnson Shawn Harris Pierre Johnson Nyles Harris Leroy Johnson (as Niles Harris) Susan Denise Harrison Lisa Johnson Douglas S. Close Fireman Trinidad Silva Trinidad Silva Punk Alston Ahern Bride Lawrence Green Father of the Bride Ken Magee Ken Magee Carnival Rube Tom J. Delaney Tourist Alfred Dennis Alfred Dennis Irving Marc Loge Farm Boy Jon Leichter Billy Lillian Adams Tillie Joe Lynn Voodoo Dancer Maurice Marsac Maurice Marsac French Waiter Fred Lerner Fred Lerner Con Man Jerry G. Velasco Man in Garden Kimberly Cameron Disco Party Elizabeth Macey Disco Party Richie Reiner Disco Party Daniel Trevor Disco Party Benjie Bancroft Bailiff (uncredited)