Biography
Billy Crystal stands out among veteran performers for his warm presence as a host, a pioneering television character, and a knack for mimicry. Having transitioned successfully from the stand-up stage to feature films, the earnest entertainer has emceed the Academy Awards on six occasions and has served as both host and co-director of the Comic Relief events beginning in 1986. Across twelve Emmy nominations he has taken home three awards.
A recurring part as Rob Reiner’s best friend on All in the Family brought him to television in 1976. His portrayal of Jodie Dallas on Soap marked the first time a gay character appeared on a prime-time series, drawing protests from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force over perceived stereotypes and condemnation from conservative and religious organizations. Once the initial uproar subsided and Crystal deepened the performance, audiences embraced the role.
Returning to New York in the early eighties, he worked the club circuit and taped comedy specials. National recognition arrived during the 1985 season of Saturday Night Live when his Fernando Lamas impression, punctuated by the catchphrase “You Look Mahvelous!,” turned his name into a household phrase; he later released the album Mahvelous! documenting the character.
Among the hit films in which he has starred are When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and Forget Paris. Crystal has produced nearly half of those pictures himself. Directing credits include the television movies 2001 and 61* as well as the inaugural Comic Relief broadcast, and he also co-wrote and directed America’s Sweethearts.
Show business surrounded him from birth: his uncle, record producer Milt Gabler, founded Commodore Records before moving to Decca, while his father operated the Commodore Music Shop in New York. An avid New York Yankees supporter, Crystal once dreamed of a professional baseball career. After a college scholarship at Marshall University—where the team was later discontinued—and an on-air call-in show, he transferred to New York University to study film and television with Martin Scorsese, earning a B.F.A. in 1970. While substitute-teaching in the city he refined his club act and impressions; in the mid-seventies he relocated to California and was noticed by Norman Lear at the Comedy Store. Filling in at a celebrity roast, he performed a Muhammad Ali impression interviewed by Howard Cosell—much to Ali’s amusement—and impressed several influential executives present that night.
Crystal is the father of two daughters, Lindsay, an aspiring filmmaker, and Jennifer, an actress. In 1986 he published the memoir Absolutely Mahvelous; he continues to hope for the chance to stage a solo show on Broadway.
A recurring part as Rob Reiner’s best friend on All in the Family brought him to television in 1976. His portrayal of Jodie Dallas on Soap marked the first time a gay character appeared on a prime-time series, drawing protests from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force over perceived stereotypes and condemnation from conservative and religious organizations. Once the initial uproar subsided and Crystal deepened the performance, audiences embraced the role.
Returning to New York in the early eighties, he worked the club circuit and taped comedy specials. National recognition arrived during the 1985 season of Saturday Night Live when his Fernando Lamas impression, punctuated by the catchphrase “You Look Mahvelous!,” turned his name into a household phrase; he later released the album Mahvelous! documenting the character.
Among the hit films in which he has starred are When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and Forget Paris. Crystal has produced nearly half of those pictures himself. Directing credits include the television movies 2001 and 61* as well as the inaugural Comic Relief broadcast, and he also co-wrote and directed America’s Sweethearts.
Show business surrounded him from birth: his uncle, record producer Milt Gabler, founded Commodore Records before moving to Decca, while his father operated the Commodore Music Shop in New York. An avid New York Yankees supporter, Crystal once dreamed of a professional baseball career. After a college scholarship at Marshall University—where the team was later discontinued—and an on-air call-in show, he transferred to New York University to study film and television with Martin Scorsese, earning a B.F.A. in 1970. While substitute-teaching in the city he refined his club act and impressions; in the mid-seventies he relocated to California and was noticed by Norman Lear at the Comedy Store. Filling in at a celebrity roast, he performed a Muhammad Ali impression interviewed by Howard Cosell—much to Ali’s amusement—and impressed several influential executives present that night.
Crystal is the father of two daughters, Lindsay, an aspiring filmmaker, and Jennifer, an actress. In 1986 he published the memoir Absolutely Mahvelous; he continues to hope for the chance to stage a solo show on Broadway.
Albums
