Billy Crystal
Background
Crystal was born in the Doctor’s Hospital in Manhattan and grew up in Long Beach, New York, the son of Helen (ne Gabler), a housewife, and Jack Crystal, a record company executive and producer of jazz records, who owned and operated the Commodore Record store. His uncle was a musician and songwriter Milt Gabler, and his brother, Richard Crystal, is a television producer. Crystal grew up in a Jewish family that he has described as “large” and “loving”. After graduation from Long Beach High School, Crystal attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, on a baseball scholarship, having learned the game from his father, who pitched for St. John’s University. Crystal never played a game at Marshall because the program was suspended during his freshman year and he didn’t return as a sophomore, staying back in New York with his future wife. He then went on to Nassau Community College, and later attended New York University where he graduated with a B.F.A. from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1970.
Billy Crystal and his wife Janice have two daughters, actresses Jennifer and Lindsay, and are now grandparents. They reside in Pacific Palisades, California.
Career
Start in television
Crystal returned to New York and performed regularly at The Improv and Catch a Rising Star. He studied film and television direction under Martin Scorsese at New York University. Crystal’s earliest prominent role was as Jodie Dallas on Soap, one of the first gay characters portrayed on American television. In 1976, Crystal appeared on an episode of All in the Family. He also was on the dais for the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Muhammad Ali on February 19, 1976 where he made dead-on impersonations of both The Champ and sportscaster Howard Cosell. He was scheduled to appear on the first episode of Saturday Night Live (October 11, 1975), but his sketch was cut. He did do a stand-up bit later on that first season as “Bill Crystal”, on the April 17, 1976, episode. After hosting a show years later, in 1984, he joined the cast. His most famous recurring sketch was his parody of Fernando Lamas Fernando, a smarmy talk show host whose catch phrase, “You look… mahvelous!,” became a media sensation. Crystal subsequently released an album of his stand-up material titled Mahvelous! in 1985, as well as the single “You Look Marvelous”, which peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the same year.
Acting in film and hosting the Oscars
Crystal’s first film role was in Joan Rivers’s 1978 film Rabbit Test. Crystal also made game show appearances such as The Hollywood Squares, All Star Secrets and The $20,000 Pyramid. He holds the record for getting his contestant partner to the top of the pyramid in the bonus round in the fastest time, 26 seconds.
Crystal appeared briefly in Rob Reiner’s 1984 “rockumentary” This Is Spinal Tap as Morty The Mime, a waiter dressed as a mime at one of Spinal Tap’s parties. He shared the scene with a then-unknown, non-speaking Dana Carvey. Crystal’s line in the film was “Mime is money.” Reiner directed Crystal again in The Princess Bride (1987).
Reiner directed Crystal for a third time in the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally… (1989), for which Crystal was nominated for a Golden Globe. Many consider Crystal’s lead role in this film as his most iconic. Crystal then starred in the buddy comedy City Slickers (1991), which proved very successful both commercially and critically and for which Crystal was nominated for his second Golden Globe.
Following the success of these films, Crystal wrote, directed, and starred in Mr. Saturday Night (1992) and Forget Paris (1995). In the former, Crystal played a serious role in aging makeup, as an egotistical comedian who reflects back on his career. He directed the made-for-television movie 61* (2001) based on Roger Maris’s and Mickey Mantle’s race to break Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record in 1961. This earned Crystal an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special.
Crystal has continued working in film, including Analyze This (1999) and Analyze That (2002) with Robert De Niro, and in the English version of Howl’s Moving Castle as the voice of Calcifer. Pixar originally approached him to provide the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995). He turned down that offer, but regretted it after the film became one of the most popular releases of the year. Crystal later went on to provide the voice of Mike Wazowski in the Pixar film, Monsters, Inc. (2001), which was nominated for the inaugural Best Animated Feature Oscar.
Crystal hosted the Academy Awards broadcast in 19901993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2004; and he reportedly turned down hosting the 2006 ceremony to concentrate on his one-man show, 700 Sundays. His eight times as the M.C. is second only to Bob Hope in most ceremonies hosted.
Broadway
Crystal won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for 700 Sundays, a two-act, one-man play, which he conceived and wrote about his parents and his childhood growing up on Long Island. He toured the U.S. with the show in 2006 and Australia in 2007.
Following the initial success of the play, Crystal wrote the book 700 Sundays for Warner Books, which was published on October 31, 2005. In conjunction with the book and the play that also paid tribute to his uncle, Milt Gabler, Crystal produced two CD compilations: Billy Crystal Presents: The Milt Gabler Story, which featured his uncle’s most influential recordings from Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” to “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets; and Billy Remembers Billie featuring Crystal’s favorite Holiday recordings.
Philanthropy
In 1986, Crystal started hosting Comic Relief on HBO with Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg. Founded by Bob Zmuda, Comic Relief raises money for homeless people in the United States.
On September 6, 2005, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Crystal and Jay Leno were the first celebrities to sign a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to be auctioned off for Gulf Coast relief.
Crystal has participated in the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Portraying himself in a video, Crystal introduces museum guests to the genealogy wing of the museum.
New York Baseball
On March 12, 2008, Crystal signed a minor league contract, for a single day, to play with the New York Yankees, and was invited to the team’s major league spring training. He wore uniform number 60, in honor of his upcoming 60th birthday. On March 13, in a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Crystal led off as the designated hitter. He managed to make contact, fouling a fastball up the first base line, but was eventually struck out by Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm on 6 pitches and was later replaced in the batting order by Johnny Damon. He was released on March 14, his 60th birthday. Although a life-long Yankee fan, he is a part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, even earning a World Series ring in 2001 when the Diamondbacks beat his beloved Yankees.
In the movie City Slickers, Crystal wears a New York Mets baseball cap.
Awards
In addition to his Golden Globe Award-nominations, Emmy Awards, and Tony Award, Crystal won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show for 700 Sundays and received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2007.
Filmography
Year
Title
Role
Other notes
19771981
Soap
Jodie Dallas
TV series
1977
SST: Death Flight
David
1978
Rabbit Test
Lionel Carpenter
Human Feelings
Angel
Made for TV
1980
Animalympics
Lodge Turkell
Voice
1984
This Is Spinal Tap
Morty the Mime
1986
Running Scared
Danny Constanzo
1987
The Princess Bride
Miracle Max
Throw Momma from the Train
Larry Donner
1988
Memories of Me
Abbie
Writer/Producer
1989
When Harry Met Sally…
Harry Burns
American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture
Nominated Golden Globe Award for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1991
City Slickers
Mitch Robbins
Executive Producer
American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture
Nominated Golden Globe Award for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1992
Horton Hatches the Egg
Narrator
Voice
Mr. Saturday Night
Buddy Young, Jr.
Writer/Director/Producer
Nominated Golden Globe Award for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1994
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold
Mitch Robbins
Writer/Producer
1995
Forget Paris
Mickey Gordon
Writer/Director/Producer
1996
Hamlet
First Gravedigger
1997
Deconstructing Harry
Larry
Fathers’ Day
Jack Lawrence
Friends
The Gynecologist (with Robin Williams)
TV Series
1998
My Giant
Sam ‘Sammy’ Kamin
Writer/Producer
1999
Analyze This
Dr. Ben Sobel
Executive Producer
2000
The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle
Mattress salesman
Uncredited
2001
61*
Director
America’s Sweethearts
Lee Phillips
Writer/Producer
Monsters, Inc.
Michael “Mike” Wazowski
Voice
2002
Mike’s New Car
Mike Wazowski
Short Film Subject
Voice
Analyze That
Dr. Ben Sobel
Executive Producer
2004
Howl’s Moving Castle
Calcifer
Voice
2005
Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone
Karl Scott
Voice
2006
Cars
Mike Car
Voice
2010
Tooth Fairy
Jerry
Saturday Night Live
Characters
Al Minkman, a shady businessman
Fernando, host of Fernando’s Hideaway, a celebrity interview show; based on actor Fernando Lamas
Buddy Young, Jr. (an insult comic who appears on Weekend Update)
Lew Goldman
Ricky, a bowler
Tony Minetti, a butcher
Willie, a man who, along with his friend, Frankie (played by Christopher Guest), discuss their masochistic tendencies
Impersonations
Fernando Lamas
Howard Cosell
Muhammad Ali
John F. Kennedy
Joe Franklin
Herv Villechaize
Joe Garagiola
Adam Ant
Prince
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Bibliography
Billy, Crystal (2004). I Already Know I Love You. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060593911. A children’s book.
Billy, Crystal (2006). Grandpa’s Little One. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060781736. A children’s book.
Billy, Crystal (2005). 700 Sundays. New York: Warner Books. ISBN 0446578673. Crystal’s memoirs with his father.
References
^ On page 17 of his book, 700 Sundays, Crystal displays his birth announcement, which states that his full name is “William Edward”, not “William Jacob” Crystal, Billy (2005). 700 Sundays. p. 17. ISBN 0446578673.
^ “Billy Crystal Biography”. filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/61/Billy-Crystal.html. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
^ Kane, Joe. “Jack Crystal: A Man To Remember”. Allaboutjazz. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/arti0102_03.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
^ Braver, Rita (2005-11-06). “Life Is Short, Laugh Hard”. CBS News.
^ “Billy Crystal Biography”. Yahoo! Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800015850/bio. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
^ a b c d e f “Billy Crystal, 2nd Visit”. Lipton, James (host). Inside the Actors Studio. Bravo. 2007-10-08. No. 1307, season 13.
^ The Associated Press.title=Leno’s autographed bike raises $500,000 (2005-09-30). USAToday. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-30-leno-bike_x.htm.
^ “Billy Crystal to sign contract with Yankees”. Yahoo. 2008-03-10. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ApQysfnqvYEYnzAzS7waMwc5nYcB?slug=ap-yankees-crystal&prov=ap&type=lgns.
^ Crystal strikes out in only at-bat
^ “Yankees release Billy Crystal on 61st birthday – Baseball – NBCSports.com”. Nbcsports.msnbc.com. March 14, 2008. http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23566549/. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
^ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/sports/baseball/19crystal.html?_r=1&8dpc
^ “Billy Crystal Strikes Out in New Career”. The Insider. 2008-03-14. http://www.theinsider.com/news/727182_Billy_Crystal_Strikes_Out_in_New_Career. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
^ Trescott, Jacqueline (2007-05-02). “Billy Crystal, Clearly Funny”. The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/01/AR2007050101252.html.
External links
Billy Crystal at the Internet Movie Database
Billy Crystal at TV.com
Billy Crystal appears on Michael Eisner’s talkshow on CNBC
v d e
Films directed by Billy Crystal
1990s
Mr. Saturday Night (1992) Forget Paris (1995)
2000s
61* (2001)
v d e
Hosts of the Academy Awards ceremonies
Johnny Carson (1981) Johnny Carson (1982) Liza Minnelli / Dudley Moore / Richard Pryor / Walter Matthau (1983) Johnny Carson (1984) Jack Lemmon (1985) Alan Alda / Jane Fonda / Robin Williams (1986) Chevy Chase / Goldie Hawn / Paul Hogan (1987) Chevy Chase (1988) None (1989) Billy Crystal (1990) Billy Crystal (1991) Billy Crystal (1992) Billy Crystal (1993) Whoopi Goldberg (1994) David Letterman (1995) Whoopi Goldberg (1996) Billy Crystal (1997) Billy Crystal (1998) Whoopi Goldberg (1999) Billy Crystal (2000)
Complete List (19291940) (19411960) (19611980) (19812000) (2001-present)
v d e
Hosts of the Academy Awards ceremonies
Steve Martin (2001) Whoopi Goldberg (2002) Steve Martin (2003) Billy Crystal (2004) Chris Rock (2005) Jon Stewart (2006) Ellen DeGeneres (2007) Jon Stewart (2008) Hugh Jackman (2009) Alec Baldwin / Steve Martin (2010)
Complete List (19291940) (19411960) (19611980) (19812000) (2001resent)
v d e
Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
Harvey Korman / Brenda Vaccaro (1974) Jack Albertson / Cloris Leachman (1975) Chevy Chase / Vicki Lawrence (1976) Tim Conway / Rita Moreno (1977) Tim Conway / Gilda Radner (1978) George Hearn (1985) Whitney Houston (1986) Robin Williams (1987) Robin Williams (1988) Linda Ronstadt (1989) Tracey Ullman (1990) Billy Crystal (1991) Billy Crystal (1992) Dana Carvey (1993) Tracey Ullman (1994) Barbra Streisand (1995) Tony Bennett (1996) Bette Midler (1997) Billy Crystal (1998) John Leguizamo (1999) Eddie Izzard (2000)
Complete list: (19742000) (2001resent)
v d e
Mark Twain Prize winners
Richard Pryor (1998) Jonathan Winters (1999) Carl Reiner (2000) Whoopi Goldberg (2001) Bob Newhart (2002) Lily Tomlin (2003) Lorne Michaels (2004) Steve Martin (2005) Neil Simon (2006) Billy Crystal (2007) George Carlin (2008) Bill Cosby (2009)
Persondata
NAME
Crystal, Billy
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
Crystal, William Edward
SHORT DESCRIPTION
DATE OF BIRTH
1948-3-14
PLACE OF BIRTH
New York City, New York
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Categories: 1948 births | Living people | American film actors | American impressionists (entertainers) | American stand-up comedians | American television actors | Jewish actors | Jewish American writers | Jewish comedians | Mark Twain Prize recipients | MTV Movie Award winners | New York University alumni | People from Long Beach, New York | The Princess Bride
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