Trivia

When he was a child, one of his babysitters was Billie Holiday.

On March 12, 2008 as a 60th birthday gift, he signed a one day minor league contract with New York Yankees. On March 13, 2008, he played his only game with the Yanks vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates at DH wearing #60. In his first and only at bat, he made contact with a foul ball but struck out. He received a standing ovation. Just one day later, the Yanks officially released him.

Billy claims that his wife, Janice Crystal, was his first and only date.

Was originally offered the role of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) but he turned it down. After he watched the movie he said that turning down the role was the biggest mistake of his career.

Is a huge fan of the Zach Braff sitcom Scrubs (2001), and donated a clip of When Harry Met Sally (1989) for an episode.

He was Jay Leno's very first guest on May 25, 1992 when Jay took over the late night throne vacated by Johnny Carson on May 22, 1992.

Was cast as Rob Reiner's best friend in the All in the Family (1971) episode, New Year's Wedding (1976), and became his best friend in real life.

Attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia for his freshman year on a baseball scholarship but on his arrival was told freshman baseball was cancelled due to budget cuts. He did not return for the sophomore year choosing to attend community college before transferring to NYU.

Taught math, wood shop, and girls gym at Long Beach High School and in Long Beach, New York.

Auditioned for the role of Jack Tripper on Three's Company (1976) - the character of a straight man impersonating a gay man. Ironically, he went on to play the role of Jody Dallas on Soap (1977) - the first openly gay character on prime-time network television.

Recipient of the Kennedy Center's 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Has appeared with Robin Williams in four films: In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994), Hamlet (1996), Fathers' Day (1997), Deconstructing Harry (1997) and a cameo in Friends (1994).

Close friends with Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams.

Wrote the children's book, "I Already Know I Love You", dedicated to Ella Ryan Foley, his granddaughter, with illustrations by Elizabeth Saylos.

Used to be the opening act for Sammy Davis Jr..

In a 2013 interview with ABC News, Billy stated that Mike Wazowski of Monsters University (2013) and Monsters, Inc. (2001) was his most favorite character that he played because he relates to Mike being a little guy in a big man's world, as well as his sense of optimism and leadership.

Holds a BFA in television direction from New York University.

His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants. His maternal grandfather was an Austrian Jewish immigrant, and his maternal grandmother was born in New York, to a Russian Jewish father and a Lithuanian Jewish mother (from Ariogala, Kaunas).

He wrote the screenplay for America's Sweethearts (2001) long before it was produced. It was a response to him and Meg Ryan not appearing in any more films together. He intended himself to play the lead, but by the time the film was made, the director (Joe Roth) thought Billy was too old to play the lead role of Eddie Thomas, so he took the smaller part of Lee. The role of Eddie Thomas went to John Cusack.

He collected autographed baseballs and baseball cards.

Became a grandfather for the 1st time at age 55 when his daughter Jennifer Crystal Foley gave birth to a daughter, Ella Ryan Foley, on June 20, 2003.

Directed one actor to an Academy Award nominated performance: David Paymer in Mr. Saturday Night (1992).

His father, Jack Crystal, was a concert promoter who also ran a famous record store on New York City's 42nd Street.

Is a partial owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and is a long time and huge fan of the New York Yankees. He is also a huge fan of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Is one of the few non-African Americans on Saturday Night Live (1975) to perform in a "blackface" routine, but in full make-up prosthetics and as a realistic, non-stereotypical character.

Attended and graduated from Long Beach High School in Long Beach, New York. Class of 1965 who voted him "Most Popular".

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on June 4, 1991.

His famous uncle, record producer Milton Gabler, founded Commodore Records and later Decca Records (which turned down The Beatles), where he produced the Bill Haley hit "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock".

Won a Special Theatrical Event Tony Award in 2005 for his one-man show, "700 Sundays", described as an "autobiographical journey". In November 2013, Crystal is set to bring the show back to Broadway.

In his role imitating real-life character Fernando Lamas, he hit #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1984 with the catchy and comedic "You Look Mahvelous" which featured Paul Shaffer on keyboards.

Considered for the role of Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray (2007), which went to Christopher Walken.

Was introduced to wife by close friend, Steve Kohut.

He has two daughters with his wife, Janice: Jennifer Crystal Foley(b. Jan. 26, 1973) and Lindsay Crystal(b. Oct. 21, 1977).

He is known for hosting the Academy Awards numerous times. He has also hosted the Emmys.

Has appeared with David Paymer in four films: City Slickers (1991), Mr. Saturday Night (1992), City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994) and In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994).

He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care".

Younger daughter, Lindsay Crystal, is a filmmaker.

Good friends with Serbian NBA superstar Vlade Divac.

Studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City.

He has appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: This Is Spinal Tap (1984), The Princess Bride (1987) and When Harry Met Sally (1989).

His early stand-up and public persona and on-screen characters were eerily similar to Stefan Gierasch's character in Starsky and Hutch (1975). Billy broke out shortly after that title aired, with Episode #1.1 (1977), which is almost one year later, when he was doing Soap.

He has two older brothers: Joel and Richard Crystal.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 124-126. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Lost his Pacific Palisades family home of 46 years to the wildfires in Los Angeles. (January 2025)