Billy Crystal is an accomplished American entertainer, known for his talents in acting, writing, producing, comedy, and directing. He rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s as a prominent figure in Hollywood, with notable roles in movies such as Running Scared, The Princess Bride, Throw Momma from the Train, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and Analyze This.
Early Life & Education
Billy Crystal was born in New York City on March 14, 1948, to parents Jack and Helen Crystal. Jack, who owned a music store, was also a jazz promoter and producer and worked as an executive at Commodore Records. Helen, on the other hand, was a homemaker.
Billy Crystal was the youngest child in his family, with two older brothers named Joel and Richard. They were originally from the Bronx but later moved to Long Island where they were exposed to a strong musical influence. The Crystal brothers frequently had renowned musicians as guests in their home.
Crystal graduated from Long Beach High School in 1965 and began attending Marshal University on a baseball scholarship. However, the university discontinued its baseball program that same year, causing him to transfer to Nassau Community College in Long Island to pursue a degree in theatre.
Following his time at Nassau, he relocated to New York University to pursue a degree in film and television directing. He completed his studies in 1970, receiving a BFA from the university’s School of Fine Arts, which would eventually be known as the ‘Tisch School of the Arts’.
Billy Crystal’s Career
Billy Crystal first launched his career by performing as a comedian on stage in New York City. Before long, he gained recognition in various comedy clubs across the city and began making appearances on popular TV programs such as “Saturday Night Live” and “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”
In the initial stage of his career, he made multiple appearances on various television game shows. However, his breakthrough in acting came with his portrayal of the openly gay character Jodie Dallas in the popular sitcom “Soap.”
He continued to play this recurring role until the show’s conclusion in 1981. Additionally, he had a leading role in the movie “Rabbit Test,” which revolved around a man’s unexpected pregnancy.
Despite briefly having his variety show in the early 80s, it was swiftly axed. Nonetheless, he gained recognition as a TV presenter on programs such as “Saturday Night Live.” In 1986, he made a comeback to the film industry with a lead role in “Running Scared.”
He also delivered a notable performance in the supporting role of 1987’s “The Princess Bride.” The movie was a hit at the box office and solidified Billy Crystal’s rise to fame.
After appearing in the 1989 movie “When Harry Met Sally…” alongside Meg Ryan, Crystal’s fame skyrocketed even more. His portrayal earned him a Golden Globe nomination and the film has since gained a devoted following.
This trend continued with Crystal’s next film, “City Slickers,” which also achieved great success at the box office and earned him another Golden Globe nomination.
After establishing himself in the film industry, Crystal had the freedom to pursue more intriguing ventures. He took on multiple roles as the writer, director, and lead actor in two films in the early 90s: “Mr. Saturday Night,” a showcase of his dramatic talent, and “Forget Paris,” a romantic comedy.
In the late 90s, he also appeared in Woody Allen’s “Deconstructing Harry” and teamed up with Robert De Niro in “Analyze This.”
During the 2000s, Crystal starred in several films such as “America’s Sweethearts,” “Analyze That,” and “61*.” Despite turning down the opportunity to voice Buzz Lightyear in “Toy Story” in 1995 (a decision he later regretted), Crystal eagerly accepted the role of Mike Wazowski in “Monsters, Inc.” in 2001.
He then continued his voice acting work by voicing a character in the English version of “Howl’s Moving Castle” in 2004. In 2013, he returned to his role as Mike in the sequel “Monsters University.” Crystal also landed a leading role in the FX show “The Comedians” in 2015, but unfortunately, the show was canceled after only one season.
Personal Life
Billy Crystal tied the knot with his high school sweetheart, Janice Goldfinger, in 1970. Over 50 years later, in 2024, the couple remains happily married. They share two daughters, Jennifer and Lindsay, with Jennifer following in her parents’ footsteps as an actress. She is most recognized for her appearances on Once and Again and House.
Net Worth
Billy Crystal, a multi-talented American figure, has a net worth of $60 million. Along with his film career, he is highly regarded for his work as a voice actor. Throughout his successful journey, he has earned numerous accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
