Billy Crystal

William Edward Crystal, born March 14, 1948, is an American comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He gained prominent television recognition playing Jodie Dallas on the ABC sitcom Soap from 1977 to 1981 and serving as a cast member and frequent host of Saturday Night Live during the 1984–1985 season. Over his career, he achieved broad recognition for his work in feature films, stage productions, and television hosting.

Crystal was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx and Long Beach, New York. Raised in a Jewish family by his parents, Helen and Jack Crystal, he grew up alongside two older brothers. His father operated a music store and worked as a jazz promoter and executive for Commodore Records, a label founded by Crystal's uncle Milt Gabler. After graduating from Long Beach High School in 1965, Crystal attended Marshall University, studied acting at HB Studio, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University in 1970.

Crystal began his career in improv comedy troupes before performing as a solo stand-up comedian. Following early television appearances on All in the Family, The Tonight Show, and various game shows, he hosted The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour in 1982. On Saturday Night Live, his parody of Fernando Lamas generated a major catchphrase and inspired his 1985 stand-up album Mahvelous!, which featured a Billboard Hot 100 hit single.

In film, Crystal starred in comedies such as Running Scared, Throw Momma from the Train, and The Princess Bride. His lead role in When Harry Met Sally... earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination, and he received a second nomination for City Slickers. He subsequently wrote, directed, and starred in Mr. Saturday Night and Forget Paris, while also appearing in Deconstructing Harry, Father's Day, Analyze This, Analyze That, and Parental Guidance. Additionally, he voiced Mike Wazowski in Pixar's Monsters, Inc. franchise and Calcifer in Howl's Moving Castle.

Crystal hosted the Academy Awards broadcast nine times between 1990 and 2012, winning Primetime Emmy Awards for writing and hosting. He also hosted three Grammy Awards telecasts and directed the Emmy-nominated television movie 61*. On Broadway, Crystal created and starred in his 2004 one-man show 700 Sundays, winning a Tony Award, and later wrote and starred in the 2022 musical Mr. Saturday Night.

Over his career, Crystal has written five books, including his 2013 memoir Still Foolin' 'Em. His honors include six Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Critics' Choice Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors.