Rob Reiner's film debut.
The Broadway production of "Enter Laughing" written by Joseph Stein, based on the novel by Carl Reiner, opened at the Henry Miller's Theater in New York on March 13, 1963 and ran for 419 performances. Michael J. Pollard recreated his stage role in the movie version.
The role of David Kolowitz was originated on Broadway by Alan Arkin, who won a 1963 Tony Award as Best Featured Actor in a Play. Arkin also won a 1963 Theatre World Award.