Early life

Crystal was born at Doctors Hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and initially raised in The Bronx. As a toddler, he moved with his family to 549 East Park Avenue in Long Beach, New York, on Long Island. He and his older brothers Joel and Richard, nicknamed Rip, were the sons of Helen (née Gabler), a housewife, and Jack Crystal, who owned and operated the Commodore Music Store, founded by Helen's father, Julius Gabler. Jack Crystal was also a jazz promoter, a producer, and an executive for an affiliated jazz record label, Commodore Records, founded by Helen's brother, musician and songwriter Milt Gabler. Crystal is Jewish (his family emigrated from Austria and Russia). The three young brothers would entertain by reprising comedy routines from the likes of Bob Newhart, Rich Little and Sid Caesar records their father would bring. Jazz artists such as Arvell Shaw, Pee Wee Russell, Eddie Condon, and Billie Holiday were often guests in the home. With the decline of Dixieland jazz circa 1963, Crystal's father lost his business, and died later that year at the age of 54 after suffering a heart attack while bowling. His mother, Helen Crystal, died in 2001.

After graduation from Long Beach High School in 1965, 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 baseball at Marshall because the program was suspended during his first year. He did not return to Marshall as a sophomore, instead deciding to stay in New York to be close to his future wife. He attended Nassau Community College with Janice, and later transferred to New York University, where he was a film and television directing major. He graduated from NYU in 1970 with a BFA from its School of Fine Arts, not yet named for the Tisch family. One of his instructors was Martin Scorsese while Oliver Stone and Christopher Guest were among his classmates.

Career

Television

Crystal returned to New York City and performed regularly at The Improv and Catch a Rising Star. In 1976, Crystal appeared on an episode of All in the Family. He was on the dais for The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Muhammad Ali on February 19, 1976, where he did impressions of both Ali and sportscaster Howard Cosell. He was scheduled to appear on the first episode of NBC Saturday Night (later renamed Saturday Night Live) (October 11, 1975), but his sketch was cut. He did perform on episode 17 of that first season, doing a monologue of an old jazz man capped by the line "Can you dig it? I knew that you could." Host Ron Nessen introduced him as "Bill Crystal." Crystal was a guest on the first and the last episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which concluded February 6, 2014 after 22 seasons on the air. 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 winner's circle in the fastest time, 26 seconds.

Crystal's earliest prominent role was as Jodie Dallas on Soap, one of the first unambiguously homosexual characters in the cast of an American television series. He continued in the role during the series' entire 1977-1981 run.

In 1982, Billy Crystal hosted his own variety show, The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour on NBC. When Crystal arrived to shoot the fifth episode, he learned it had been canceled after only the first two aired. After hosting Saturday Night Live twice, on March 17, 1984 and the show's ninth season finale on May 5, he joined the regular cast for the 1984-85 season. His most famous recurring sketch was his parody of Fernando Lamas, a smarmy talk-show host whose catchphrase, "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 No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and No. 17 in Canada. Also in the 1980s, Crystal starred in an episode of Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre as the smartest of the three little pigs.

In 1996, Crystal was the guest star of the third episode of Muppets Tonight and hosted three Grammy Awards Telecasts: the 29th Grammys; the 30th Grammys; and the 31st Grammys.

In 2015, Crystal co-starred alongside Josh Gad on the FX comedy series The Comedians, which ran for just one season before being canceled.

Acting in film and hosting the Oscars

Crystal's first film role was in Joan Rivers' 1978 film Rabbit Test.

Crystal appeared briefly in the Rob Reiner "rockumentary" This Is Spinal Tap (1984) 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, stating famously that "Mime is money." He later starred in the action comedy Running Scared (1986) and was directed by Reiner again in The Princess Bride (1987), in a comedic supporting role as "Miracle Max." Reiner got Crystal to accept the part by saying, "How would you like to play Mel Brooks?" Reiner also allowed Crystal to ad-lib, and his parting shot, "Have fun storming the castle!" is a frequently-quoted line.

Reiner directed Crystal for a third time in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989), in which Crystal starred alongside Meg Ryan and for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe. The film has since become an iconic classic for the genre and is Crystal's most celebrated film. Crystal then starred in the award-winning buddy comedy City Slickers (1991), which proved very successful both commercially and critically and for which Crystal was nominated for his second Golden Globe. The film was followed by a sequel, which was less successful. In 1992, he narrated Dr. Seuss Video Classics: Horton Hatches the Egg.

Following the significant 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, although the character was from his SNL days. Though some of his subsequent films were not as well received as his earlier hits, Crystal had another success alongside Robert De Niro in Harold Ramis' mobster comedy Analyze This (1999). More recent performances include roles in America's Sweethearts (2001), the sequel Analyze That (2002), and Parental Guidance (2012).

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 was originally asked to voice Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) but turned it down, a decision he later regretted due to the popularity of the series. Crystal later went on to provide the voice of Mike Wazowski in the blockbuster Pixar film Monsters, Inc. (2001), and reprised his voice role in the prequel, Monsters University, which was released in June 2013. Crystal also provided the voice of Calcifer in the English version of Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle (2004).

Crystal hosted the Academy Awards broadcast in 1990-1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2012. His hosting was critically praised, resulting in two Emmy wins for hosting and writing the 63rd Academy Awards and an Emmy win for writing the 64th Academy Awards. He returned recently as the host for the 2012 Oscar ceremony, after Eddie Murphy resigned from hosting. His nine times as the M.C. is second only to Bob Hope's 18 in most ceremonies hosted. At the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony in 2011, he appeared as a presenter for a digitally inserted Bob Hope and before doing so was given a standing ovation. Film critic Roger Ebert said when Crystal came onstage about two hours into the show, he got the first laughs of the broadcast. Crystal's hosting gigs have regularly included an introductory video segment in which he comedically inserts himself into scenes of that year's nominees in addition to a song following his opening monologue.

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 throughout the US with the show in 2006 and then 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.

In the fall of 2013, he brought the show back to Broadway for a two-month run at the Imperial Theatre. HBO filmed the January 3-4, 2014 performances for a special, which debuted on their network on April 19, 2014.

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.

Sports

On March 12, 2008, Crystal signed a one-day minor league contract 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 six pitches and was later replaced in the batting order by Johnny Damon. He was released on March 14, his 60th birthday.

Crystal's boyhood idol was Yankee Hall of Fame legend Mickey Mantle who had signed a program for him when Crystal attended a game where Mantle had hit a home run. Years later on The Dinah Shore Show, in one of his first television appearances, Crystal met Mantle in person and had Mantle re-sign the same program. Crystal would be good friends with Mickey Mantle until Mantle's death in 1995. He and Bob Costas together wrote the eulogy Costas read at Mantle's funeral, and George Steinbrenner then invited Crystal to emcee the unveiling of Mantle's monument at Yankee Stadium. In his 2013 memoir Still Foolin' 'Em, Crystal writes that after the ceremony, near the Yankee clubhouse, he was punched in the stomach by Joe DiMaggio, who was angry at Crystal for not having introduced him to the crowd as the "Greatest living player."

Crystal also was well known for his impressions of Yankee Hall of Famer turned broadcaster Phil Rizzuto. Rizzuto, known for his quirks calling games, did not travel to Anaheim, California in 1996 to call the game for WPIX. Instead, Crystal joined the broadcasters in the booth and pretended to be Rizzuto for a few minutes during the August 31 game.

Although a lifelong 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 City Slickers, Crystal wears a New York Mets baseball cap. In the 1986 film Running Scared, his character is an avid Chicago Cubs fan, wearing a Cubs' jersey in several scenes. In the 2012 film Parental Guidance, his character is the announcer for the Fresno Grizzlies, a Minor League Baseball team, and aspires to announce for their Major League affiliate, the San Francisco Giants.

Crystal is also a longtime Los Angeles Clippers fan.

Personal life

Crystal and his wife Janice (née Goldfinger) married in June 1970, have two daughters, actress Jennifer and producer Lindsay, and are grandparents. They reside in Pacific Palisades, California.

Filmography

Main article: Billy Crystal filmography

Bibliography

• Crystal, Billy (1986). Absolutely Mahvelous. New York: Perigee Trade. ISBN 0-399-51246-2.
• Crystal, Billy (2004). I Already Know I Love You. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-059391-1.
• Crystal, Billy (2005). 700 Sundays. New York: Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-57867-3.
• Crystal, Billy (2006). Grandpa's Little One. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-078173-6.
• Crystal, Billy (2013). Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys?. New York: Henry Holt and Co. ISBN 0-805-09820-8.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Nominated work	Result
1984	CableACE Award for Writing a Comedy or Music Program	Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line	Nominated
1985	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	Saturday Night Live	Nominated
1986	Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album	You Look Marvelous	Nominated
1987	CableACE Award for Comedy Special	Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started - The Billy Crystal Special	Nominated
1987	CableACE Award for Directing a Comedy Special	Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started - The Billy Crystal Special	Nominated
1987	CableACE Award for Writing a Comedy Special	Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started - The Billy Crystal Special	Won
1987	CableACE Award for Performance in a Comedy Special	Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started - The Billy Crystal Special	Nominated
1987	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	29th Annual Grammy Awards	Nominated
1988	American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male Performer - Motion Picture or TV	The Princess Bride	Nominated
1988	CableACE Award for Directing a Comedy Special	Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started - The Lost Minutes	Won
1988	CableACE Award for Writing a Comedy Special	Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started - The Lost Minutes	Nominated
1988	CableACE Award for Performance in a Comedy Special	Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started - The Lost Minutes	Nominated
1988	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	An All-Star Toast to the Improv	Nominated
1988	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	30th Annual Grammy Awards	Nominated
1989	CableACE Award for Actor in a Comedy Series	An All-Star Toast to the Improv	Won
1989	Golden Apple Award for Male Star of the Year		Won
1989	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	31st Annual Grammy Awards	Won
1990	Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy	When Harry Met Sally...	Nominated
1990	American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)	When Harry Met Sally...	Won
1990	American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication	Midnight Train to Moscow	Nominated
1990	TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials		Nominated
1990	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special	Midnight Train to Moscow	Nominated
1990	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	Midnight Train to Moscow	Nominated
1990	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program	Midnight Train to Moscow	Won
1991	Hollywood Walk of Fame		Won
1991	TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials		Nominated
1991	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	63rd Academy Awards	Won
1991	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program	63rd Academy Awards	Won
1991	Norma Zarky Humanitarian award		Won
1991	Comedy Star of the Decade		Won
1992	Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy	City Slickers	Nominated
1992	American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)	City Slickers	Won
1992	American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication	63rd Academy Awards	Won
1992	MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance	City Slickers	Won
1992	TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials	64th Academy Awards	Won
1992	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	64th Academy Awards	Nominated
1992	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program	64th Academy Awards	Won
1993	Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy	Mr. Saturday Night	Nominated
1993	Creative Achievement Award		Won
1993	American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication	64th Academy Awards	Won
1993	CableACE Award for Comedy Series	Sessions	Nominated
1993	CableACE Award for Entertainment Host	Comic Relief V	Won
1993	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	65th Academy Awards	Nominated
1994	American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication	65th Academy Awards	Won
1995	CableACE Award for Entertainment Host	Comic Relief VI	Won
1996	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	Comic Relief VII	Nominated
1997	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	69th Academy Awards	Nominated
1998	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	70th Academy Awards	Won
1999	American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication	70th Academy Awards	Won
2000	American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication	Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special	Nominated
2000	Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Comedy Team	Analyze This	Won
2000	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	72nd Academy Awards	Nominated
2000	Hasty Pudding Man of the Year		Won
2001	American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication	72nd Academy Awards	Nominated
2001	AFI Star Award		Won
2001	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie	61*	Nominated
2001	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special	61*	Nominated
2002	Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing - Television Film	61*	Nominated
2002	Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie	Monsters, Inc.	Nominated
2002	World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film	Monsters, Inc. for "If I Didn't Have You"	Won
2004	Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	76th Academy Awards	Nominated
2005	GLAAD Excellence in Media Award		Won
2005	Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance	700 Sundays	Won
2005	Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event	700 Sundays	Won
2007	Mark Twain Prize for American Humor		Won
2012	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program	84th Academy Awards	Nominated
2012	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special	84th Academy Awards	Nominated
2013	Disney Legends		Won
2014	Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album	Still Foolin' Em	Nominated
2014	Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production	Monsters University	Nominated
2014	Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie	Monsters University	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special	700 Sundays	Nominated
2014	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special	700 Sundays	Nominated

[ Source: Wikipedia ]