Celebrity Comedians

Billy Crystal has created one of the most versatile and prolific careers in the entertainment industry, finding success in front of the camera, as a performer and behind the scenes as a writer, director and producer. After starting his career touring with such stars as Billy Joel, Barry Manilow and Neil Sedaka, Billy became a regular on the popular series Soap playing the first openly gay character on a network television series. During the 1984-85 television season, Billy met with phenomenal national success on Saturday Night Live - creating many memorable characters including his classic imitation of Sammy Davis, Jr. and Fernando ("You look mahvelous!"). In recent years, he has moved between successes on television and film. He became the first comedian to perform in the then Soviet Union with his special Midnight Train to Moscow, one of four one man specials he has done for HBO. He has hosted the Grammy Awards three times and, of course the Oscars 9 times. In the movies, Billy has starred in such hits Running Scared, Throw Momma from the Train, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, Mr. Saturday Night, Father's Day, My Giant, Analyze This, Analyse That America's Sweethearts and Monsters, Inc. Crystal's film 61* for HBO films, showcased Billy as both director and executive producer. Based on the true story of the pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record by New York Yankees stars Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, the film garnered 12 Emmy nominations including nods for "Best Director" and "Best Made for Television Movie". Billy has won six Emmy Awards, six American Comedy Awards and seven Cable Ace Awards.