History of Billy Crystal in Timeline

Billy Crystal is a highly accomplished American comedian, actor, and filmmaker celebrated for his stand-up, film, and stage performances. He's garnered significant recognition, including six Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and nominations for multiple Grammy and Golden Globe Awards. His contributions to entertainment have been further acknowledged with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1991), the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2007), the Critics' Choice Lifetime Achievement Award (2022), and the Kennedy Center Honors (2023), solidifying his place as a prominent figure in the industry.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1961: Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle's race

In 1961, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle raced to break Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. This event was the inspiration for the movie 61* directed by Billy Crystal.

June 4, 1970: Marriage to Janice Goldfinger

On June 4, 1970, Billy Crystal married his high school sweetheart, Janice Goldfinger.

1986: Grammy Nomination for You Look Marvelous

In 1986, Billy Crystal received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album for You Look Marvelous.

1986: Hosting Comic Relief on HBO

In 1986, Billy Crystal started hosting Comic Relief on HBO with Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg to raise money for homeless people in the United States.

1986: Film Running Scared

In the 1986 film Running Scared, Billy Crystal's character is an avid Chicago Cubs fan, wearing a Cubs jersey in several scenes.

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1989: Golden Globe Nomination for When Harry Met Sally...

In 1989, Billy Crystal received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally...

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1989: Emmy Award for Hosting the Grammy Awards

In 1989, Billy Crystal received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program as the host of the 31st Annual Grammy Awards.

1990: Emmy Award for Midnight Train to Moscow

In 1990, Billy Crystal received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for writing his comedy special Midnight Train to Moscow.

1991: Golden Globe Nomination for City Slickers

In 1991, Billy Crystal received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in the western comedy City Slickers.

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1991: Emmy Award for Hosting the Academy Awards

In 1991, Billy Crystal received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program as the host of the 63rd Academy Awards.

1991: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1991, Billy Crystal received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1992: Golden Globe Nomination for Mr. Saturday Night

In 1992, Billy Crystal received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his directorial debut Mr. Saturday Night.

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1992: Emmy Award for Hosting the Academy Awards

In 1992, Billy Crystal received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for writing the 64th Academy Awards.

1992: Movie Mr. Saturday Night

In 1992, Billy Crystal starred in the movie Mr. Saturday Night.

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1994: Appearance in Baseball Documentary

In 1994, Billy Crystal appeared in Ken Burns's documentary "Baseball", where he shared personal anecdotes about his lifelong passion for baseball, including encounters with Casey Stengel and Ted Williams.

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1995: Mantle's Death

Billy Crystal remained friends with Mickey Mantle until Mantle's death in 1995. Crystal and Bob Costas wrote the eulogy Costas read at Mantle's funeral, and Crystal emceed the unveiling of Mantle's monument at Yankee Stadium.

1996: Impression of Phil Rizzuto

In 1996, Billy Crystal impersonated Phil Rizzuto during a Yankees game broadcast from Anaheim, California, as Rizzuto did not travel to call the game.

1998: Emmy Award for Hosting the Academy Awards

In 1998, Billy Crystal received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program as the host of the 70th Academy Awards.

2001: Direction of 61* and Roles in Films

In 2001, Billy Crystal directed the made-for-television movie 61*, which earned him an Emmy nomination. Also in 2001, Crystal had roles in the movie America's Sweethearts and voiced Mike Wazowski in Pixar's film Monsters, Inc.

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2002: Role in Analyze That

In 2002, Billy Crystal had a role in the movie Analyze That, the sequel to Analyze This.

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2004: Voice of Calcifer in Howl's Moving Castle

In 2004, Billy Crystal provided the voice of Calcifer in the English version of Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle.

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September 6, 2005: Signing a Harley-Davidson for Gulf Coast Relief

On September 6, 2005, Billy Crystal and Jay Leno signed a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to be auctioned off for Gulf Coast relief.

October 31, 2005: Publication of 700 Sundays

On October 31, 2005, Billy Crystal's book 700 Sundays was published by Warner Books.

2005: Tony Award for 700 Sundays

In 2005, Billy Crystal won the Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event and the Drama Desk Award for his one man show 700 Sundays.

2006: Voice role in Cars and US Tour with 700 Sundays

In 2006, Billy Crystal provided a voice role in Cars during the epilogue in the end credits and toured throughout the US with his show 700 Sundays.

2007: Tour in Australia with 700 Sundays

In 2007, Billy Crystal toured throughout Australia with his show 700 Sundays.

2007: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

In 2007, Billy Crystal was awarded with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

March 12, 2008: Signing with the New York Yankees

On March 12, 2008, Billy Crystal signed a one-day minor league contract to play with the New York Yankees, and he was invited to the team's major league spring training.

2011: Appearance at the Academy Awards Ceremony

At the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony in 2011, Billy Crystal appeared as a presenter and received a standing ovation.

2012: Role in Parental Guidance

In 2012, Billy Crystal had a role in the movie Parental Guidance.

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2012: Hosting the Oscar Ceremony

In 2012, Billy Crystal returned as the host for the Oscar ceremony, marking his ninth time hosting, second only to Bob Hope.

2013: Release of Autobiographical Memoir Still Foolin' Em

In 2013, Billy Crystal released his autobiographical memoir Still Foolin' Em.

2013: Voice role in Monsters University

In 2013, Billy Crystal reprised his voice role as Mike Wazowski in the prequel to Monsters, Inc., Monsters University.

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2013: Disney Legend

In 2013, Billy Crystal was made one of the Disney Legends.

2013: Release of Memoir Still Foolin' 'Em and incident with Joe DiMaggio

In his 2013 memoir Still Foolin' 'Em, Billy Crystal recounts being punched in the stomach by Joe DiMaggio after the ceremony for Mickey Mantle's monument at Yankee Stadium.

April 19, 2014: Debut of Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays on HBO

On April 19, 2014, the HBO special Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays debuted on their network after being filmed January 3-4, 2014. The televised special received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

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2014: Tribute to Robin Williams at the Primetime Emmy Awards

In 2014, Billy Crystal paid tribute to his close friend Robin Williams at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, sharing stories of their friendship.

2014: Grammy Nomination for Still Foolin' Em

In 2014, Billy Crystal received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for Still Foolin' Em.

2015: Co-starring in The Comedians

In 2015, Billy Crystal co-starred alongside Josh Gad on the FX comedy series The Comedians, which ran for one season.

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2016: Criticism of Donald Trump and Support for Hillary Clinton

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Billy Crystal was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump and supported Hillary Clinton in the election.

2016: Eulogy for Muhammad Ali

In 2016, Billy Crystal gave one of the eulogies for Muhammad Ali at his funeral, sharing stories of their friendship and admiration for Ali.

2016: Honorary Degree from New York University

In 2016, Billy Crystal received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University and spoke at the commencement at Yankee Stadium.

2021: Reprising role in Mr. Saturday Night

In the fall of 2021, Billy Crystal reprised the role of Buddy Young Jr., in a theatrical musical staging of Mr. Saturday Night at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, MA.