Billy Crystal is an American actor, comedian, writer and director who rose to fame in the late 1970s as Jodie Dallas on the sitcom Soap.
He gained further recognition for his stand-up comedy and performances on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s.
His role as Harry Burns in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally… brought him to international fame, cementing his place in Hollywood.
Crystal is also known for hosting the Academy Awards nine times, a testament to his enduring popularity and wit.
File
- Full name: William Edward Crystal
- Date of birth: March 14, 1948
- Age: 76 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Manhattan, New York, USA
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor, comedian, writer, director
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
- Parents: Jack Crystal (father), Helen Gabler (mother)
- Siblings: Joel Crystal, Richard Crystal
- Spouse: Janice Goldfinger (d. 1970)
- Children: Jennifer Crystal Foley, Lindsay Crystal
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Jewish
- Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
- Net worth: 60 million USD
Early life and education
Billy Crystal was born in Manhattan, New York on March 14, 1948 and grew up in Long Beach, Long Island.
His father, Jack Crystal, was a music promoter and record store owner with strong connections to the jazz industry, while his mother, Helen, was a homemaker.
Jazz legends like Billie Holiday and Eddie Condon were frequent guests at the Crystal household, introducing Billy to the world of entertainment at an early age.
Billy attended Long Beach High School, graduating in 1965. He later won a baseball scholarship to Marshall University but left after the university suspended its baseball program. Crystal transferred to Nassau Community College, where he studied theater.
He then studied at New York University, majoring in film and television directing and graduated in 1970.
His time at NYU included studying with Martin Scorsese, and his classmates included future filmmakers such as Oliver Stone.
Personal life
Billy Crystal has been married to Janice Goldfinger since June 4, 1970, a relationship that has spanned over five decades.
They have two daughters, Jennifer Crystal Foley, an actress, and Lindsay Crystal, a film producer. Crystal’s family is a central aspect of his life and he often speaks about the importance of his wife and children.
His daughters also followed him into the entertainment industry, with Jennifer known for her roles in House and Once and Again. The family resides in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
Career
Billy Crystal’s career began in stand-up comedy in New York, performing at iconic clubs like The Improv and Catch a Rising Star.
His breakthrough role was on the sitcom Soap (1977-1981), in which he played Jodie Dallas, one of the first openly gay characters on American television.
After her success on Soap, Crystal became a regular on Saturday Night Live and guested several times throughout the 1980s.
In film, his role in When Harry Met Sally… (1989) with Meg Ryan was a pivotal moment, earning him widespread acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination.
The film’s success solidified his status as a leading actor in romantic comedies. He followed this with hits such as City Slickers (1991), Mr. Saturday Night (1992), Forget Paris (1995) and Analyze This (1999), further established his reputation in comedy.
In addition to acting, Crystal is also a director and screenwriter, having directed projects such as Mr. Saturday Night and Forget Paris.
His voice work for the role of Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. (2001) and Pixar’s Monsters University (2013) were also well received.
Crystal is equally famous for hosting the Academy Awards, a role he held nine times between 1990 and 2012.
His humorous and charming hosting style has become iconic and he is considered by many to be one of the best Oscar hosts in history.
prize
- Six Primetime Emmy Awards
- Tony Award
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1991)
- Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award (2022)
- Golden Globe nominations for When Harry Met Sally… and City Slickers
Net worth
Billy Crystal’s estimated net worth is $60 million. His wealth comes from his film, television, and stand-up comedy career.
Crystal has also earned significant income from directing, screenwriting, and voice acting, primarily through his work with Pixar on the Monsters, Inc. film series.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
Cinema
- Rabbit Test (1978)
- Run Scared (1986)
- The Princess Bride (1987)
- When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
- City Swindlers (1991)
- Mr. Saturday Night (1992)
- Forget Paris (1995)
- Analyze This (1999)
- Monsters, Inc. (2001)
- Monsters University (2013)
- Here Today (2021)
Book
- Absolutely Fabulous (1986)
- 700 Sundays (2005)
