Billy Crystal.Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
From his early days onSNLto his nine-time stint as the host of the Academy Awards,Billy Crystalhas been making us laugh for nearly five decades.The dad of two, who turns 77 on March 14, 2025, has continued to show off his acting chops in recent years, including a reunion — 35 years after the fact — withMeg Ryantorecreate their iconic Katz' Deli scenefromWhen Harry Met Sally.As the legendary comedian celebrates his birthday, here’s a look back at some of the biggest moments in his life both on and off the screen.
From his early days onSNLto his nine-time stint as the host of the Academy Awards,Billy Crystalhas been making us laugh for nearly five decades.
The dad of two, who turns 77 on March 14, 2025, has continued to show off his acting chops in recent years, including a reunion — 35 years after the fact — withMeg Ryantorecreate their iconic Katz' Deli scenefromWhen Harry Met Sally.
As the legendary comedian celebrates his birthday, here’s a look back at some of the biggest moments in his life both on and off the screen.
01of 21Billy Crystal’s New York City RootsAllan Tannenbaum/GettyWilliam Edward Crystalwas born in New York City on March 14, 1948. He studied film and television at New York University while performing in a comedy trio for a few years before going solo to pursue stand-up at clubs around the city.Crystal’s talent and persistence led him to alongstanding career in television and film, earning him six Emmys, two Grammy nominations and a Tony Award. He’shosted the Oscars nine times, authored multiple books, including his 2013 memoirStill Foolin' ‘Em, and won the 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. At the27th Annual Critics Choice Awardsin 2022, he was honored with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Billy Crystal’s New York City Roots
Allan Tannenbaum/Getty
William Edward Crystalwas born in New York City on March 14, 1948. He studied film and television at New York University while performing in a comedy trio for a few years before going solo to pursue stand-up at clubs around the city.
Crystal’s talent and persistence led him to alongstanding career in television and film, earning him six Emmys, two Grammy nominations and a Tony Award. He’shosted the Oscars nine times, authored multiple books, including his 2013 memoirStill Foolin’ ‘Em, and won the 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. At the27th Annual Critics Choice Awardsin 2022, he was honored with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.
02of 21Billy Crystal and Wife Janice’s Family LifeRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettyAfter tying the knot in 1970, Crystal and wife Janice welcomed two daughters, Lindsay and Jennifer. The two celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 4, 2020.When asked about the secret to their long-lasting marriage, Crystaljoked to PEOPLE, “We see other people.“But in all seriousness, Crystal described the love of his life, whom he met was he was 18, as kind, funny and smart.As for married life with Janice and the girls, Crystal said, “It just gets better and better.”
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Billy Crystal and Wife Janice’s Family Life
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
After tying the knot in 1970, Crystal and wife Janice welcomed two daughters, Lindsay and Jennifer. The two celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 4, 2020.
When asked about the secret to their long-lasting marriage, Crystaljoked to PEOPLE, “We see other people.”
But in all seriousness, Crystal described the love of his life, whom he met was he was 18, as kind, funny and smart.
As for married life with Janice and the girls, Crystal said, “It just gets better and better.”
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Billy Crystal in the 1977 Series ‘Soap’
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty
04of 21Billy Crystal on Season 10 of ‘Saturday Night Live’NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/GettyAfter hosting twice during season 9, Crystal joinedSNL’s season 10 cast, alongside Harry Shearer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brad Hall, Gary Kroeger, Jim Belushi, Pamela Stephenson, Martin Short, Mary Gross and Christopher Guest, in 1984.
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Billy Crystal on Season 10 of ‘Saturday Night Live’
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After hosting twice during season 9, Crystal joinedSNL’s season 10 cast, alongside Harry Shearer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brad Hall, Gary Kroeger, Jim Belushi, Pamela Stephenson, Martin Short, Mary Gross and Christopher Guest, in 1984.
05of 21Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg Host ‘Comedy Relief’HBO/GettyThe comedians and close friends hosted the first American Comedy Relief variety benefit special on HBO in 1986, and helped raise upwards of $70 million to help the homeless in America.
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Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg Host ‘Comedy Relief’
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The comedians and close friends hosted the first American Comedy Relief variety benefit special on HBO in 1986, and helped raise upwards of $70 million to help the homeless in America.
06of 21Billy Crystal Hosts the 29th Annual Grammy AwardsCBS/GettyThe star brought the laughs during music’s biggest night at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. as the host of the 1987 Grammys.Crystal has also been Grammy nominated twice: once for best spoken work album forStill Foolin’ ‘Emand once for best comedy recording forYou Look Marvelous.
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Billy Crystal Hosts the 29th Annual Grammy Awards
CBS/Getty
The star brought the laughs during music’s biggest night at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. as the host of the 1987 Grammys.
Crystal has also been Grammy nominated twice: once for best spoken work album forStill Foolin’ ‘Emand once for best comedy recording forYou Look Marvelous.
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Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan Star in ‘When Harry Met Sally’
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08of 21Billy Crystal Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of FameRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettyThe Hollywood Walk of Fame unveiled Crystal’s star on June 4, 1991.
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Billy Crystal Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame unveiled Crystal’s star on June 4, 1991.
09of 21Billy Crystal Wins an Emmy in 1992Frank Trapper/Corbis/GettyFor his exceptional work as host of the 64th Annual Academy Awards, Crystal was awarded an Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in writing in a variety or music program at the 44th AnnualEmmy Awards.
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Billy Crystal Wins an Emmy in 1992
Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty
For his exceptional work as host of the 64th Annual Academy Awards, Crystal was awarded an Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in writing in a variety or music program at the 44th AnnualEmmy Awards.
10of 21Billy Crystal Returns for ‘City Slickers 2’Columbia Pictures/GettyRiding a white stallion, Crystal reprised his role as Mitch Robbins in theCity Slickers(1991) sequel,City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold(1994).
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Billy Crystal Returns for ‘City Slickers 2’
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Riding a white stallion, Crystal reprised his role as Mitch Robbins in theCity Slickers(1991) sequel,City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold(1994).
11of 21Billy Crystal Guest Stars on ‘Friends’ with Robin WilliamsPaul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/GettyEarly on in the days of the popular sitcom, theFriendscast got the pleasure of working with guest stars Crystal and Robin Williams on 1997’s episode 24, “The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion.”
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Billy Crystal Guest Stars on ‘Friends’ with Robin Williams
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
Early on in the days of the popular sitcom, theFriendscast got the pleasure of working with guest stars Crystal and Robin Williams on 1997’s episode 24, “The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion.”
12of 21Billy Crystal and Robin Williams Hang with Joe Torre at Yankee StadiumSteve Crandall/GettyThe diehard New York Yankees fan snapped a photo with best friend Robin Williams and then-New York Yankees manager Joe Torre at Yankee Stadium in 2001.
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Billy Crystal and Robin Williams Hang with Joe Torre at Yankee Stadium
Steve Crandall/Getty
The diehard New York Yankees fan snapped a photo with best friend Robin Williams and then-New York Yankees manager Joe Torre at Yankee Stadium in 2001.
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Billy Crystal Supports Best Friend Robin Williams at His Comedy Show
Scott Gries/Getty
14of 21Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro Reunite at the Analyze That World PremiereSylvain Gaboury/FilmMagicCrystal gave costar Robert De Niro a big squeeze during the N.Y.C. world premiere ofAnalyze Thatin 2002, the sequel to their 1999 film,Analyze This.
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Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro Reunite at the Analyze That World Premiere
Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic
Crystal gave costar Robert De Niro a big squeeze during the N.Y.C. world premiere ofAnalyze Thatin 2002, the sequel to their 1999 film,Analyze This.
15of 21Billy Crystal and John Goodman Meet Mike Wazowski and SulleyFrank Trapper/Corbis/GettySince 2001, Crystal has voicedMonster’s Inc.’s Mike Wazowski, alongside John Goodman as James P. Sullivan, a.k.a. Sulley. The pair said hello to their animated characters with tiny costar Mary Gibb, who voiced the character Boo, at the first film’s premiere.
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Billy Crystal and John Goodman Meet Mike Wazowski and Sulley
Since 2001, Crystal has voicedMonster’s Inc.’s Mike Wazowski, alongside John Goodman as James P. Sullivan, a.k.a. Sulley. The pair said hello to their animated characters with tiny costar Mary Gibb, who voiced the character Boo, at the first film’s premiere.
16of 21Billy Crystal Hosting the OscarsROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyWhen Crystal took the stage to host the Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2012, it marked his ninth time doing so, first stepping into the gig back in 1990.
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Billy Crystal Hosting the Oscars
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty
When Crystal took the stage to host the Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2012, it marked his ninth time doing so, first stepping into the gig back in 1990.
17of 21Billy Crystal Wins the Critics Choice Awards Lifetime Achievement AwardFrazer Harrison/GettyAt the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, Crystal brought his signature sense of humor to the podium. “To all the critics, this may be the first time we actually agree on something,” he joked.Later on, he again had the audience laughing when he spoke about his birthday the next day.“I can’t remember when I worked harder or had more fun on a project, and I’m serious. I’ll be 74 tomorrow, and I just can’t remember,” he quipped.
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Billy Crystal Wins the Critics Choice Awards Lifetime Achievement Award
Frazer Harrison/Getty
At the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, Crystal brought his signature sense of humor to the podium. “To all the critics, this may be the first time we actually agree on something,” he joked.
Later on, he again had the audience laughing when he spoke about his birthday the next day.
“I can’t remember when I worked harder or had more fun on a project, and I’m serious. I’ll be 74 tomorrow, and I just can’t remember,” he quipped.
18of 21Billy Crystal on BroadwayBruce Glikas/GettyLater on in 2022, Crystal hit the Broadway stage in the musical comedyMr. Saturday Night,starring as comedian Buddy Young, Jr. The show was based on Crystal’s 1992 movie of the same name, and earned him two Tony Award nominations.
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Billy Crystal on Broadway
Bruce Glikas/Getty
Later on in 2022, Crystal hit the Broadway stage in the musical comedyMr. Saturday Night,starring as comedian Buddy Young, Jr. The show was based on Crystal’s 1992 movie of the same name, and earned him two Tony Award nominations.
19of 21Billy Crystal at Kennedy Center HonorsBilly Crystal at the Kennedy Center Honors reception.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via GettyCrystal was honored at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors alongsideQueen Latifah,Barry Gibb,Dionne Warwickand Renée Fleming.“Now, Billy grew up sweeping the floor of his family’s music shop on 42nd Street, and he became America’s most celebrated comedian, actor, and writer on screen and on stage,” former president Joe Biden said in part whileintroducing the honorees.“What I admire most about him is his heart — his heart that reminds us to love and care for one another — raising awareness and funds to end cancer, fighting homelessness, help a city rebuild after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy and so much more.”
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Billy Crystal at Kennedy Center Honors
Billy Crystal at the Kennedy Center Honors reception.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
Crystal was honored at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors alongsideQueen Latifah,Barry Gibb,Dionne Warwickand Renée Fleming.
“Now, Billy grew up sweeping the floor of his family’s music shop on 42nd Street, and he became America’s most celebrated comedian, actor, and writer on screen and on stage,” former president Joe Biden said in part whileintroducing the honorees.
“What I admire most about him is his heart — his heart that reminds us to love and care for one another — raising awareness and funds to end cancer, fighting homelessness, help a city rebuild after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy and so much more.”
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Billy Crystal Reunites with Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal at the 2025 Oscars.John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty
John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty
Thirty-five years after starring alongside each other in Nora Ephron’sWhen Harry Met Sally, the two reunited to recreate the iconic orgasm scene in Katz’ Deli fora 2025 Super Bowl commercial for Hellmann’s.
“Because when you have a chance to be an Oscar winner for the rest of your life, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible,” he said before announcing the nominees.
21of 21Billy Crystal TodayBilly Crystal in December 2024.Lloyd Bishop/NBC via GettyCrystal, who turns 77 on March 14, 2025, continues to act today with his most recent role coming in 2024’s 10-episode psychological thrillerBeforewhere he plays a child psychologist who’s mourning the loss of his wife.Sadly, in the wake of the deadly Los Angeles wildfires that broke out in January 2025,Crystal and his wife lost their home of 46 years.“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here,” his statement read in part. “Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
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Billy Crystal Today
Billy Crystal in December 2024.Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty
Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty
Crystal, who turns 77 on March 14, 2025, continues to act today with his most recent role coming in 2024’s 10-episode psychological thrillerBeforewhere he plays a child psychologist who’s mourning the loss of his wife.
Sadly, in the wake of the deadly Los Angeles wildfires that broke out in January 2025,Crystal and his wife lost their home of 46 years.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here,” his statement read in part. “Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
source: people.com
