Billy Crystal is a talented actor, writer, producer, director, comedian, and television host. He is known for his roles in Throw Momma from the Train, Memories of Me, Fathers’ Day, My Giant, Small Apartments, Monsters University, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, City Slickers, City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold, Mr. Saturday Night, Forget Paris, Analyze This, America’s Sweethearts, Monsters, Inc., Analyze That, Cars, Parental Guidance, Soap, The Comedians, and Modern Family. Billy has also been a popular choice for hosting the Academy Awards for several years and has over 700k followers on Twitter.
Born Name
William Edward Crystal
Nick Name
Billy, Face
Sun Sign
Pisces
Born Place
Manhattan, New York, United States
Residence
Pacific Palisades, California, United States
Nationality
Education
Billy Crystal completed his studies from Long Beach High School in 1965. He then joined Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, through a baseball scholarship. However, Billy opted to drop out from Marshall University and joined Nassau Community College in New York to stay close to his girlfriend Janice Goldfinger.
Later, Billy took a transfer to New York University to major in Film and Television Direction, graduating in 1970 with a BFA degree from NYU‘s School of Fine Arts. He also studied Drama at the HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City.
Occupation
Actor, Writer, Producer, Director, Comedian, Television Host
Family
- Father – Jack Crystal (Owned and Operated the Commodore Music Store, Jazz Promoter, Producer and Executive of Commodore Records)
- Mother – Helen Crystal (Housewife)
- Siblings – Joel Crystal (Older Brother), Richard Crystal (Older Brother)
- Others – Michael Francis Foley (Son-In-Law), Ella Ryan Foley (Granddaughter) (Born on June 20, 2003), Milt Gabler (Uncle) (Musician, Songwriter, Founder of Commodore Records), Julius Gabler (Maternal Grandfather), Susie Kasindorf (Maternal Grandmother), Louis H. Gabler (Maternal Great-Grandfather), Clara Honsel (Maternal Great-Grandmother), Julius Crystal /Cristal (Paternal Grandfather), Sophie Hessen /Hassan /Hosel (Paternal Grandmother)
Manager
Billy Crystal is managed by –
- The Spanky Taylor Company, Burbank, California, United States
- William Morris Agency, Talent Agency, Beverly Hills, California, United States
Build
Average
Height
5 ft 7 in or 170 cm
Weight
70 kg or 154 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Billy Crystal has dated –
- Janice Goldfinger (1966-Present) – In 1966, Billy started dating actress Janice Goldfinger. Their close friend, Steve Kohut introduced them to each other. The couple tied the knot on June 4, 1970, after dating for around 4 years. They have two daughters – actress Jennifer Crystal Foley (born January 26, 1973) and producer Lindsay Crystal (born October 21, 1977).
Race / Ethnicity
White
He has Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Wide forehead
- Receding hairline
- Tends to wear thin round-rimmed glasses
Brand Endorsements
Billy Crystal has appeared in commercials for brands like The New York Experience and Diet Pepsi.
Religion
Judaism
Best Known For
- His versatile roles in films and TV shows including Soap (1977–1981) as Jodie Dallas, The Princess Bride (1987) as Miracle Max, When Harry Met Sally… (1989) as Harry Burns, City Slickers (1991) as Mitch Robbins, Mr. Saturday Night (1992) as Buddy Young, Jr., Analyze This (1999) as Dr. Ben Sobel, Monsters, Inc.(2001) as Michael “Mike” Wazowski, Cars (2006) as Michael “Mike” Wazowski Car, and Parental Guidance (2012) as Artie Decker
- Hosting the Academy Awards numerous times starting in 1990
First Film
In 1978, he made his theatrical film debut in the comedy film, Rabbit Test, as Lionel Carpenter.
In 2001, he made his theatrical film debut as a voice actor in the animated buddy comedy film, Monsters, Inc., as Michael “Mike” Wazowski.
First TV Show
In 1975, he made his first TV show appearance in the musical comedy series, Keep on Truckin’.
In 1993, he made his TV show debut as a voice actor in the animated family series, Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Billy Crystal Favorite Things
- Sports Team – New York Yankees (Baseball), Los Angeles Clippers (Basketball)
Source –
Billy Crystal Facts
- His family moved to Long Beach, New York when he was a baby.
- During childhood, he and his young brothers would often entertain people by impersonating famous comedians like , Rich Little, and Sid Caesar.
- When Billy was 15, his father passed away.
- Katherine Helmond was his acting mentor.
- He had taught Math at Long Beach High School in Long Beach, New York.
- Some of his close friends include actress and late actor Robin Williams.
- While at New York University, was one of Billy’s instructors.
- He mostly imitates people from the 1930s and 40s.
- His uncle, Milton Gabler, who later founded the Decca Records, turned down The Beatles.
- Billy was the first guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 25, 1992, after Jay took over the late night show.
- He partially owns the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Legendary baseball player, Mickey Mantle, has been his idol since childhood.
- When he was a child, he had a babysitter named Billie Holiday.
- Billy has claimed that Janice Crystal, his wife, has been his first and the only date so far.
- While at the Long Beach High School, he was voted as “Most Popular” by his class of 1965.
- He is renowned for imitating real-life character Fernando Lamas with the catchy and comedic phrase “You Look Mahvelous”.
- Billy has authored many books including “Absolutely Mahvelous” (1986), “I Already Know I Love You” (2004), “Grandpa’s Little One” (2006), and “Still Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys?” (2013).
- Being a fan of ’s sitcom Scrubs (2001-2010), he donated a clip of When Harry Met Sally… (1989) for an episode.
- He had been the opening act for Sammy Davis Jr. for many years.
- He has maintained a friendly relationship with Serbian NBA superstar Vlade Divac.
- In 2007, he received the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
- As an avid New York Yankees supporter, he got to play with the team on a day minor league contract against the Pittsburgh Pirates to celebrate his 60th birthday, wearing #60 jersey, on March 13, 2008.
- Billy was one of the few non-African Americans to have performed a “blackface” routine in full make-up prosthetics on Saturday Night Live (1975) show.
- He had worked alongside actor Robin Williams in 4 films which were In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994), Hamlet (1996), Fathers’ Day (1997), and Deconstructing Harry (1997).
- He has appeared with actor David Paymer in many films including City Slickers (1991), Saturday Night (1992), City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold (1994) and In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994).
- On June 4, 1991, he received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
- He has admitted that turning down the role of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) was the biggest mistake of his career.
- He actually wrote the screenplay for America’s Sweethearts with the intention of playing the lead role but as the film was made years later, Billy opted for the character of Lee.
- As a fan of baseball, he has been an avid collector of autographed baseballs and baseball cards.
- Until 2018, he has hosted the Grammy Awards thrice in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
- He has played television’s first gay character Jodie Dallas in the popular TV show, Soap (1977–1981).
- While hosting the Oscars, Billy carried a toothbrush in his pocket.
- On July 17, 2008, he was added as a member of the board of directors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
- From 1971 to 1975, he had been a member of a traveling improvisational comedy group.
- He has hosted The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour (1982) and Saturday Night Live (1984–1985) shows.
- His hobbies include playing softball and tennis, cooking Japanese food, collecting miniature furniture, and gardening.
- As a writer, he has contributed in the making of films including Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays (2014), America’s Sweethearts (2001), My Giant (1998), Forget Paris (1995), City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold (1994), Saturday Night (1992), and Memories of Me (1988).
- He has produced and directed films like Forget Paris (1995) and Saturday Night (1992).
Featured Image by Gage Skidmore / / CC BY-SA 3.0
Facts of Billy Crystal
- full nameBilly Crystal
- Date of Birth March 14, 1948
- Age 76 years 5 months
- Horoscope Pisces
- Lucky Number 3
- Lucky Stone Aquamarine
- Lucky Color Sea Green
- Best Match for Marriage Cancer, Scorpio
- weight70 kg
- height5 ft 7 in