Billy Crystal
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Billy Crystal
(1947-)
Billy Crystal is a famous comedian and actor who in the 1980s and 1990s became known for stand-up routines featuring comic impressions of celebrities such as sports broadcaster Howard Cosell and entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., for his work on the television series Soap and Saturday Night Live, and for his portrayal of average, likeable men in such films as When Harry Met Sally and City Slickers. A popular host of television specials due to his off-the-cuff wit, Crystal is known in Hollywood for his talent as well as for his dedication to his wife and two daughters.
Raised on Long Island, Crystal was attracted to the idea of performing at an early age, and he and his two brothers would perform shtick for their relatives in his grandmother's living room during family gatherings. He came to the attention of national audiences with his portrayal of Jodie Dallas, one of television's first recurring homosexual characters, in the series Soap, a situation comedy popular during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In 1984 Crystal joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, creating the character Fernando, a superficial nightclub performer for whom everything is "mahvelous." His high-profile role on the popular late-night show established Crystal as one of the leading comic talents of the decade, and his autobiography, published as Absolutely Mahvelous, draws upon the popularity of the Fernando character. In Absolutely Mahvelous, the comic actor tells of his childhood and youth, and describes with humor his years working on tour as a stand-up comedian. While a critic for Publishers Weekly found Crystal's account count of his youth and early career "uneventful," a Booklist contributor called Absolutely Mahvelous "brief but very funny."
In addition to television work, Crystal has starred in several films, including When Harry Met Sally ..., a comic and sentimental look at love and New York City; he also portrays an urban dweller vacationing at a dude ranch in City Slickers. Crystal, who contributed to the screenplay of City Slickers, also authored a sequel, City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, which was released in 1994. More recent films have included 1999's Analyze This and the sequel, Analyze That, both which star Robert De Niro as a mob boss attempting to get in touch with his kinder, gentler side with the help of reluctant psychiatrist Dr. Ben Sobel (Crystal).
While Crystal has sometimes been described by critics as too sentimental, the comic actor notes that he is too happy in his personal life to create the bitter, cutting-edge humor popular with some audiences. As a reflection of his contentment with family and friends, Crystal penned the 2004 book I Already Know I Love You, a picture book for young children inspired by his anticipation of his first grandchild, Ella. Written in simple rhyme, the book is narrated by a grandfather awaiting the birth of a grandchild who is depicted sometimes as a boy and sometimes as a girl. While several reviewers remarked that I Already Know I Love You is a less-than-effective picture book due to its clumsy rhyme and what a Publishers Weekly contributor described as the actor's characteristic "unabashed sentimental[ity]," critics agreed that the theme of the book would make it attractive as a gift book from doting grandparents.
Career
Comedian, actor, producer, director, and writer. Member of improvisational comedy troupe variously called We the People, Comedy Jam, and Three's Company, 1971-75; house manager of stage production You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, New York, NY, 1971; stand-up comedian, 1975—; performer at clubs, including the Bitter End, Catch a Rising Star, Playboy Club, and Comedy Store; opening act for Sammy Davis, Jr., at Lake Tahoe, NV; host of radio call-in program broadcast from Marshall University; worked with Alumni Theatre Group at Nassau Community College; worked as a substitute teacher at Long Beach Junior High School, Long Island, NY. Founder, Jennilind Productions and Face Productions.
Actor in films, including Rabbit Test, Avco-Embassy, 1978; (voiceover) Animalympics (animated), Barber Rose International Films, 1979; This Is Spinal Tap, Embassy Pictures, 1984; Running Scared, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)/United Artists (UA), 1986; Goodnight Moon, 1987; The Princess Bride, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1987; Throw Momma from the Train, Orion, 1987; Memories of Me, MGM/UA, 1988; When Harry Met Sally ..., Columbia, 1989; (and executive producer) City Slickers, Columbia, 1991; (and producer and director) Mr. Saturday Night, Columbia, 1992; (and producer) City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, Columbia, 1994; (and producer and director) Forget Paris, Columbia, 1995; Hamlet, Columbia, 1996; De-constructing Harry, Fine Line, 1997; Fathers' Day, Warner Bros., 1997; (and producer) My Giant, Columbia, 1998; (and executive producer) Analyze This, Warner Bros., 1999; Get Bruce (documentary), Mira-max, 1999; America's Sweethearts, Columbia, 2001; (voice) Monsters, Inc., 2001; and (and executive producer) Analyze That, 2002. Producer of films, including (with Alan King and Michael Hertzberg) Memories of Me, MGM/UA, 1988; and (executive producer) My Uncle Berns, 2004. Actor in television series, including Soap, ABC, 1977-81; The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour, NBC, 1982; Saturday Night Live, NBC, 1984-85; and (voice) Baseball (documentary), PBS, 1994. Appeared in television films, including SST—Death Flight, ABC, 1977; Human Feelings, NBC, 1978; Breaking up Is Hard to Do, ABC, 1979; and Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb, NBC, 1980. Actor in television series episodes, including All in the Family, CBS, 1976; Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell, ABC, 1976; The Love Boat, ABC, 1978; "Make-Up," Darkroom, ABC, 1981; "The Three Little Pigs," Faerie Tale Theatre, Showtime, 1984; "Talk Show," Larry Sanders Show, HBO, 1992; "My New Neighbors," Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, Showtime, 1992; Full Wax, BBC, 1993; "Leapin' Lizards," Frasier, NBC, 1995; Real Sports, HBO, 1995; Muppets Tonight!, ABC, 1996; "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion," Friends, NBC, 1997, Ruby, 1997, and The Bernie Mac Show, 2002. Appeared in television specials, including Battle of the Network Stars, ABC, 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979; The Thirty-six Most Beautiful Girls in Texas, ABC, 1978; Celebrity Football Classic, NBC, 1979; The TV Show, ABC, 1979; Doug Henning's World of Magic, NBC, 1982; Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line, HBO, 1984; A Comedy Salute to Baseball, NBC, 1985; Night of 100 Stars, ABC, 1985; Comic Relief: Backstage Pass, 1986; (and executive producer and director) On Location: Billy Crystal—Don't Get Me Started, HBO, 1986; The Lost Minutes of Billy Crystal, HBO, 1987; All-Star Toast to the Improv, HBO, 1988; Life's Most Embarrassing Moments, syndicated, 1988; Robert Klein Time, USA Network, 1988; All-Star Tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBC, 1989; Grand Slam, syndicated, 1989; (and executive producer) Midnight Train to Moscow, HBO, 1989; Saturday Night Live Fifteenth Anniversary, NBC, 1989; Overtime ... with Pat O'Brien, CBS, 1990; Robert Wuhl's World Tour, HBO, 1990; Wolf Trap Salutes Victor Borge: An Eightieth Birthday Celebration, PBS, 1990; The World of Jewish Humor, PBS, 1990; A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan, NBC, 1991; Entertainers '91: The Top Twenty of the Year, ABC, 1991; Voices That Care, Fox, 1991; HBO's Twentieth Anniversary—We Hardly Believe It Ourselves, CBS/HBO, 1992; Muhammad Ali's Fiftieth Birthday Celebration, ABC, 1992; When It Was a Game II, HBO, 1992; Wax Cracks Hollywood, HBO, 1993; But ... Seriously, Showtime, 1994; (voice characterization) In Search of Dr. Seuss, TNT, 1994; Countdown to Comic Relief, Comedy Central, 1995; Hollywood Stars: A Century of Cinema (documentary), Disney Channel, 1995; Twenty Years of Comedy on HBO, HBO, 1995; Caesar's Writers, PBS, 1996; Watch a Rising Star Fiftieth Anniversary—Give or Take Twenty-six Years, CBS, 1996; Comic Relief's Tenth Anniversary, HBO, 1996; I Am Your Child, ABC, 1997; Sports on the Silver Screen, HBO, 1997; Daily Show Interview Special, Comedy Central, 1999; Saturday Night Live Twenty-fifth Anniversary, 1999; AFI's 100 Years, 100 Laughs, 2000; Concert for New York City, 2001; Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World, 2001; When Stand-up Comics Ruled the World, 2004; and Tell Them Who You Are, 2004. Host of numerous specials and awards presentations, including Annual Grammy Awards, 1987, 1989; and Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1990-93, 1997-98, 2000, 2004. Executive producer, Survival on the Mountain (television film), NBC, 1997. Director and producer, 61* (television film), 2001.
Member
Screen Actors Guild.
Awards, Honors
Emmy Award nomination, outstanding actor in a variety program, 1985, for Saturday Night Live; Grammy Award nomination, best comedy recording, 1985, for Mahvelous!; two CableACE awards and other CableACE Award nominations, National Cable Television Association, all 1986, all for On Location: Billy Crystal—Don't Get Me Started; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program, 1987, for Twenty-ninth Annual Grammy Awards, 1988, for An All-Star Toast to the Improv, and 2000, for Seventy-second Annual Academy Awards; Emmy Award, outstanding performance in special events, 1989, for Thirty-first Annual Grammy Awards; Golden Apple Award for star of the year, Hollywood Women's Press Club, 1989; American Comedy Award, funniest actor in a motion picture, 1989, and Golden Globe Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a motion picture—comedy or musical, 1990, both for When Harry Met Sally ...; Emmy Award, outstanding writing in a variety or music program, and Emmy Award nominations, outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program and outstanding variety, music, or comedy special, all 1990, all for Midnight Train to Moscow; Emmy Award (with others), outstanding writing in a variety or music program, and Emmy Award, outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program, both 1991, both for Sixty-third Annual Academy Awards; named comedy star of the decade, ShoWest Convention, 1991; American Comedy Award, and Golden Globe Award nomination, best actor in a musical or comedy, both 1991, and MTV Movie Award, best comedic performance, 1992, all for City Slickers; Emmy Award (with others), outstanding writing in a variety or music program, and American Comedy Award, both 1992, both for Sixty-forth Annual Academy Awards; Golden Globe Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a motion picture—comedy or musical, 1993, for Mr. Saturday Night; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program, 1993, for Sixty-fifth Annual Academy Awards; American Comedy Award, funniest male performer in a TV special, 1999, for Seventieth Annual Academy Awards; named Hasty Pudding Man-of-the-Year, 2000; American Film Institute Star Award, U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, 2001; Emmy Award nominations, outstanding direction of a miniseries or movie and outstanding made-for-television movie, 2002, and Directors Guild of America Award nomination, 2002, all for 61*; has star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Writings
Teleplays; Series
- (With others) The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour, National Broadcast Company (NBC), 1982.
- (With others) Saturday Night Live, NBC, 1984-1985.
- (And executive producer) Sessions, Home Box Office (HBO), 1991.
Teleplays; Specials
- (With others) The TV Show, ABC, 1979.
- (With Rocco Urbisci) Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line, HBO, 1984.
- A Comedy Salute to Baseball, NBC, 1985.
- On Location: Billy Crystal—Don't Get Me Started, HBO, 1986.
- (With others) Midnight Train to Moscow, HBO, 1989.
Screenplays
- Goodnight Moon, 1987.
- (With Eric Roth) Memories of Me, MGM/UA, 1988.
- Mr. Saturday Night, Columbia, 1992.
- City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, Columbia, 1994.
- Forget Paris, Columbia, 1995.
- My Giant, Columbia, 1998.
- (With Peter Tolan) America's Sweethearts, Columbia, 2001.
Other
- Mahvelous! (recording), A & M Records, 1985.
- (With Dick Schaap) Absolutely Mahvelous, Putnam (New York, NY), 1986.
- (Author of foreword) Ron Smith, 61*: The Story of Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and One Magic Summer, Sporting News (St. Louis, MO), 2001.
- I Already Know I Love You, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2004.
- Contributor to periodicals, including the New York Times and Playboy.
Work in Progress
An untitled project for Home Box Office, due 2005; a second children's book.
Biographical and Critical Sources
Periodicals
- American Film, July-August, 1989, pp. 30-33, 48.
- Booklist, August, 1986, p. 1648.
- Cosmopolitan, June, 1986, p. 80.
- Daily Variety, May 19, 2001, Michael Schneider, "Crystal Clear Deal," p. 5; August 22, 2003, Nicole LaPorte, "Crystal's Family Addition Inspires Kids' Tome," p. 4.
- Entertainment Weekly, June 17, 1994, pp. 26-29.
- Gentlemen's Quarterly, August, 1989, p. 199.
- Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2004, review of I Already Know I Love You, p. 327.
- Life, July, 1989, p. 68; April, 1990, p. 90.
- McCall's, July, 1991, p. 58.
- People, September 30, 1985, p. 40.
- Publishers Weekly, July 11, 1986, p. 59; March 15, 2004, review of I Already Know I Love You, p. 72.
- Rolling Stone, October 24, 1985, p. 49.
- Time, October, 19, 1992, pp. 66-68.
- TV Guide, November 15, 1980, p. 30; March 24, 1990, p. 5.*
AMG AllMovie Guide:
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Billy Crystal
Biography
The son of a jazz concert producer, Billy Crystal grew up in the company of such music legends as Billie Holiday, Pee Wee Russell, and Eddy Condon. His mind made up by age five, Crystal knew he wanted to become a performer -- not in music but in baseball or comedy. As he later explained to TV Guide, he chose comedy "because God made me short" -- though from all reports he is one of the best ball players in show business.Learning how to make people laugh by studying the works of past masters Laurel and Hardy, Ernie Kovacs, and Jonathan Winters, Crystal began making the club rounds at 16. He was sidetracked briefly by New York University's film school, where he studied to be a director under Martin Scorsese, but upon graduation it was back to comedy when Crystal formed his own troupe, 3's Company. On his own, he developed into an "observational" comic, humor based on his own experiences and the collective experiences of his audience. He came to media attention via his impression of Howard Cosell interviewing Muhammad Ali. After doing time as an opening act for such musicians as Barry Manilow, Crystal struck out for Hollywood, in hopes of finding regular work on a TV series. In 1977, he was hired to play the gay character Jodie Dallas on Soap. Though many people expected the performer to be typecast in this sort of part, he transcended the "sissy" stereotype, making the character so three-dimensional that audiences and potential employers were fully aware that there was more to Crystal's talent than what they saw in Jodie.
Thanks to Soap, Crystal became and remained a headliner and, in 1978, had his first crack at movie stardom as a pregnant man in Rabbit Test. The movie was unsuccessful, but Crystal's star had not been eclipsed by the experience; he was even entrusted with a dramatic role in the 1980 TV movie Enola Gay. His career accelerating with comedy records, choice club dates, regular appearances on Saturday Night Live, and TV guest shots, Crystal had a more successful stab at the movies in such films as This is Spinal Tap (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), Throw Momma From the Train (1987), and When Harry Met Sally (1989). Riding high after a memorable emceeing stint at the Oscar ceremony, Crystal executive produced and starred in his most successful film project to date, an uproarious middle-age-angst comedy called City Slickers (1991). In 1992, he mounted his most ambitious film endeavor, Mr. Saturday Night, the bittersweet chronicle of a self-destructive comedian. The film had great potential (as indicated by the outtakes contained in its video cassette version), but the end result died at the box office. That same year, Crystal again hosted the Oscar awards, and in 1994 he repeated his earlier success with the popular sequel City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold.
Crystal added to his directing credits the following year with the romantic comedy Forget Paris. Unfortunately, the film -- which he also produced, wrote, and starred in -- was something of a flop. He subsequently focused his energies on acting, turning up in Hamlet (1996) and Deconstructing Harry (1997). In 1998 he had another producing stint with My Giant, a comedy he also starred in; like his previous producing effort, that film also proved fairly unsuccessful. However, Crystal bounced back in 1999, executive producing and starring in Analyze This. A comedy about a mob boss, Robert De Niro, seeking therapy from a psychiatrist (Crystal), it won a number of positive reviews, convincing many that the performer was back in his element.
Back in the director's chair in 2001, Crystal helmed the made-for-HBO 61*. Detailing the 1961 home-run race between Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, 61* struck a chord with baseball sentimentalists and critics alike. Scripting and starring in America's Sweethearts the same year, Crystal soon began to prepare for his vocal role in the animated comedy fantasy Monsters, Inc. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Billy Crystal
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Billy Crystal
- Genres: Spoken Word
Biography
Along with being a veteran actor and comedian, Billy Crystal is most known for his affable hosting abilities, a groundbreaking role on television, and his impressions. One of the few to make a successful career from standup comedy to the movies, the sincere Crystal has hosted the Academy Awards six times and the Comic Relief festivals (which he also co-directed) since 1986. He has been nominated 12 times for an Emmy and has won three of them.In 1976, Crystal was cast in the recurring role as Rob Reiner's Meathead's best friend on All in the Family. He made history when he was cast as the first gay character to appear on television on Soap, Jodie Dallas. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force drew Crystal's name into controversy for promoting stereotypes and right-wing conservatives and religious groups damned the network for airing the show at all. Once the sensationalism died down and he refined his characterization, Jodie became a favorite among viewers.
In the early '80s, Crystal went back to New York, touring the comedy circuit and doing specials. Although he established himself on Soap, it was the 1985 season of Saturday Night Live that made him famous. Once he debuted his "You Look Mahvelous!" impression of Fernando Lamas, Crystal's name became a household word. He later put out a recording, simply entitled Mahvelous!
Hit movies that Crystal has starred in include When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and Forget Paris. He has produced nearly half of the movies he has starred in. He has also directed a number of projects, including the made-for-movie TV 2001 and 61* as well as the first Comic Relief. Crystal also co-wrote and directed America's Sweethearts.
Billy Crystal was born into show business; his uncle was the famous record producer Milt Gabler, who founded the famous Commodore Records and later, Decca, while his father ran the Commodore Music Shop in New York.
It's a well-known fact that Crystal is a huge New York Yankees fan. He aspired to become a professional baseball player before pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. After his college baseball scholarship at Marshall University (the team became defunct), where he also hosted an on-air call-in program, Crystal eventually transferred to N.Y.U. where he studied film and television under Martin Scorcese. After graduating in 1970 with a B.F.A., he substitute taught in New York while honing his nightclub act and impressions. In the mid-'70s, he made the move to California and was spotted by director Norman Lear in the the Comedy Store. Crystal filled in at a celebrity roast one night, doing his impression of Muhammad Ali (much to Ali's delight) being interviewed by Howard Cosell. All in attendance -- including some influential entertainment execs -- were impressed. The rest is history. Crystal has two daughters: Lindsay, an aspiring filmmaker, and Jennifer, an actress. He published an autobiography, Absolutely Mahvelous, in 1986, which may be overdue for an addendum. He aspires to someday mount a solo show on Broadway. ~ Sandy Lawson, Rovi
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Billy Crystal
For the American political commentator, see William Kristol.
| Billy Crystal | |
|---|---|
 Crystal at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival |
|
| Birth name | William Edward Crystal |
| Born | March 14, 1948 New York, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse | Janice Goldfinger (1970–present) |
| Emmy Awards | |
| Performance in Special Events 1989 The 31st Annual Grammy Awards Writing in a Variety or Music Program 1990 Midnight Train to Moscow 1991 The 63rd Annual Academy Awards 1992 The 64th Annual Academy Awards Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program 1991 The 63rd Annual Academy Awards 1998 The 70th Annual Academy Awards |
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| American Comedy Awards | |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) 1989 When Harry Met Sally... 1991 City Slickers Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication 1991 The 63rd Annual Academy Award 1992 The 64th Annual Academy Award 1993 The 65th Annual Academy Award 1998 The 70th Annual Academy Award Creative Achievement Award 1993 |
|
William Edward "Billy" Crystal[1] (born March 14, 1948) is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian, and film director. He gained prominence in the 1970s for playing Jodie Dallas on the ABC sitcom Soap and became a Hollywood film star during the late 1980s and 1990s, appearing in the critical and box office successes When Harry Met Sally... and City Slickers. He has hosted the Academy Awards nine times, including the 84th Academy Awards in 2012.[2]
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Contents
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Early life
Crystal was born in the Doctor's Hospital in Manhattan and raised on Long Island in Long Beach, the son of Helen (née Gabler), a housewife, and Jack Crystal, a record company executive and jazz producer who also owned and operated the Commodore Record store.[3][4] His babysitter was occasionally Billie Holiday. His uncle was musician and songwriter Milt Gabler, and his brother, Richard "Rip" Crystal, is a television producer. Crystal grew up in a Jewish family that he has described as "large" and "loving".[5]
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 because he was too busy being the Editor in Chief of The BG News from 1969–70.[6] He did not return to Marshall as a sophomore, staying back in New York with his future wife. He instead attended Nassau Community College and later New York University, where he graduated in 1970 with a BFA from its Tisch School of the Arts.[7]
Career
Television
Crystal returned to New York City and performed regularly at The Improv and Catch a Rising Star. He studied film and television direction under Martin Scorsese at New York University. 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.[8] He did do a stand-up bit later in that first season as Bill Crystal, on the April 17, 1976, episode; the "Can you dig it? I knew that you could." portion of which was repeatedly quoted by characters in the 1977 feature film Saturday Night Fever.
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. It lasted five episodes.
After hosting Saturday Night Live in 1984, he joined the regular cast.[8] His most famous recurring sketch was his parody of Fernando Lamas, Fernando, a smarmy talk show host whose catchphrase, "You look... mahvelous!," became a media sensation.[8] 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 during the same year. 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.
Billy Crystal hosted three Grammy Awards Telecasts: the 29th Grammys; the 30th Grammys; and the 31st Grammys.
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 winner's circle 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." He later starred in the action comedy Running Scared (1986). 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. 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. He was originally asked to provide the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) but turned it down, a decision he later regretted due to the popularity of the series.[8] 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 1990–1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2012; and he reportedly turned down hosting the 2006 ceremony to concentrate on his one-man show, 700 Sundays. He returned as emcee for the 2012 Oscar ceremony, after Eddie Murphy backed out of hosting.[9] 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.[10] Crystal's hosting gigs have regularly included an introductory video segment in which he comedically inserts himself into scenes of that year's films 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.[8] 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.[8] 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.[11]
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.
Crystal is a Los Angeles Clippers fan.
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.[12] 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.[13] He was released on March 14, his 60th birthday.[14]
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 homerun. 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.
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 life-long Yankee fan,[15] he is a part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, even earning a World Series ring in 2001 when the Diamondbacks beat his beloved Yankees.[16]
In the movie City Slickers, Crystal wears a New York Mets baseball cap.
Personal life
Billy Crystal and his wife Janice (née: Goldfinger) married in June 1970, and have two daughters, actress Jennifer and producer Lindsay, and are now grandparents.[17] They reside in Pacific Palisades, California.[18]
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.[19]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977–1981 | 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 MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance 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 | Muppets Tonight | Himself | Guest star on third episode |
| 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 and 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 |
| 2009 | Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business Of America | Host | |
| 2010 | Tooth Fairy | Jerry | Uncredited |
| Planet Sheen | Soldier Joagth | Voice Episode: What's Up Chock? |
|
| 2011 | The Muppets | Himself | Scenes cut |
| 2012 | Parental Guidance | Artie Decker | To be released November 12, 2012 |
| 2013 | Monsters University | Mike Wazowski | Voice |
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
- Hervé Villechaize
- Joe Garagiola
- Adam Ant
- Prince
- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Phil Rizzuto
Bibliography
- Crystal, Billy (2004). I Already Know I Love You. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-059391-1. A children's book.
- Crystal, Billy (2006). Grandpa's Little One. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-078173-6. A children's book.
- Crystal, Billy (2005). 700 Sundays. New York: Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-57867-3.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 (October 2005). 700 Sundays. p. 17. ISBN 0-446-57867-3.
- ^ "The Mud Doctor: Oscar Update: Billy Crystal Officially In as Oscar Host". Themuddoctor.blogspot.com. 2011-11-10. http://themuddoctor.blogspot.com/2011/11/oscar-update-billy-crystal-officially.html. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ "Billy Crystal Biography". filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/61/Billy-Crystal.html. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
- ^ Kane, Joe. "Jack Crystal: A Man To Remember". Allaboutjazz. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/arti0102_03.htm. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
- ^ 700 Sundays by Billy CrystalBraver, Rita (November 6, 2005). "Life Is Short, Laugh Hard". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/06/sunday/main1015865.shtml.
- ^ "Billy Crystal | Hollywood Walk of Fame". Walkoffame.com. http://www.walkoffame.com/billy-crystal. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ "Billy Crystal Biography". Yahoo! Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800015850/bio. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f Lipton, James (host) (October 8, 2007). "Billy Crystal, 2nd Visit". Inside the Actors Studio. episode 1307. season 13. Bravo. http://www.bravotv.com/Inside_the_Actors_Studio/guest/Billy_Crystal_-_2nd_Visit.
- ^ "Billy Crystal to return as host for 84th Academy Awards". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/10/billy-crystal-to-return-as-host-for-84th-academy-awards/110348/?utm_campaign=WP. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
- ^ "Oscars: "King" wins, show loses". Chicago Sun-Times. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110227/OSCARS/110229986.
- ^ "Leno's autographed bike raises $500,000". USAToday. Associated Press. September 30, 2005. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-30-leno-bike_x.htm.
- ^ "Billy Crystal to sign contract with Yankees". Yahoo. March 10, 2008. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ApQysfnqvYEYnzAzS7waMwc5nYcB?slug=ap-yankees-crystal&prov=ap&type=lgns.
- ^ By Chris Girandola / Special to MLB.com. "Crystal strikes out in only at-bat". Newyork.yankees.mlb.com. http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080313&content_id=2423946&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ "Yankees release Billy Crystal on 61st birthday - Baseball". Nbcsports.msnbc.com. March 14, 2008. http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23566549/. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
- ^ Crystal, Billy (April 19, 2009). "Feeling Lonely Behind the Facade". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/sports/baseball/19crystal.html?_r=1&8dpc. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "Billy Crystal Strikes Out in New Career". The Insider. March 14, 2008. http://www.theinsider.com/news/727182_Billy_Crystal_Strikes_Out_in_New_Career. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
- ^ Lee, Sandra Y.. ""Celebrity Parents: Billy Crystal"". Parents.com. http://www.parents.com/parenting/celebrity-parents/celebrity-parents-billy-crystal/. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ "Having Struggled From Warm-Up Act to Headliner: BILLY CRYSTAL". Time. October 19, 1992. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,976793,00.html.
- ^ Trescott, Jacqueline (May 2, 2007). "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 appears on Michael Eisner's talkshow on CNBC
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Mentioned in
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