Billy Crystal Biography: Net Worth, Wife, Age, Movies & TV Shows, Children, Instagram, Height, Books, Wikipedia

Billy Crystal is an American actor, comedian, writer, and director who rose to prominence in the late 1970s as Jodie Dallas on the sitcom Soap.

He became further recognized for his stand-up comedy and performances on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s.

His portrayal of Harry Burns in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally… catapulted him to international fame, solidifying his place in Hollywood.

Crystal is also known for hosting the Academy Awards nine times, a testament to his enduring popularity and wit.

Profile

• 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 (m. 1970)
• Children: Jennifer Crystal Foley, Lindsay Crystal
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Jewish
• Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
• Net worth: $60 million

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 closely associated with the jazz industry, while his mother, Helen, was a homemaker.

Jazz legends such as Billie Holiday and Eddie Condon were frequent guests at the Crystal household, exposing Billy to the entertainment world from a young age.

Billy attended Long Beach High School, graduating in 1965. He then earned 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 later attended New York University, majoring in film and television directing and graduating in 1970.

His time at NYU included studying under 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 endured for over five decades.

They have two daughters, Jennifer Crystal Foley, an actress, and Lindsay Crystal, a film producer. Crystal’s family has been a central aspect of his life, and he often speaks about the importance of his wife and children.

His daughters have 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 with stand-up comedy in New York, performing at iconic clubs like The Improv and Catch a Rising Star.

His breakthrough role came in the sitcom Soap (1977-1981), where he portrayed Jodie Dallas, one of the first openly gay characters on American television.

Following his success on Soap, Crystal became a regular on Saturday Night Live and guest-hosted several times throughout the 1980s.

In film, his role in When Harry Met Sally… (1989) alongside Meg Ryan was a defining moment, earning him widespread acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination.

The film’s success cemented his status as a leading man in romantic comedies. He followed this with hits like City Slickers (1991), Mr. Saturday Night (1992), Forget Paris (1995), and Analyze This (1999), further establishing his reputation in comedy.

In addition to acting, Crystal is also a director and writer, having helmed projects such as Mr. Saturday Night and Forget Paris.

His voice work as Mike Wazowski in Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. (2001) and Monsters University (2013) has also been well received.

Crystal is equally famous for hosting the Academy Awards, a role he held nine times between 1990 and 2012.

His hosting style, full of humor and charm, became iconic, and he is widely regarded as one of the best Oscar hosts in history.

Awards

• 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 extensive film, television, and stand-up comedy career.

Crystal has also earned significant income from directing, writing, and voice acting, mainly through his work with Pixar on the Monsters, Inc. franchise.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Filmography

• Rabbit Test (1978)
• Running Scared (1986)
• The Princess Bride (1987)
• When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
• City Slickers (1991)
• Mr. Saturday Night (1992)
• Forget Paris (1995)
• Analyze This (1999)
• Monsters, Inc. (2001)
• Monsters University (2013)
• Here Today (2021)

Books

• Absolutely Mahvelous (1986)
• 700 Sundays (2005)