Billy Crystal
Jacob William "Billy" Crystal ( born March 14, 1948 in Long Beach, Long Iceland, New York ) is an American comedian, actor and director.
Life and work
After high school, Crystal studied at the film school and founded with two friends, the theater company Three's Company.
His first job in television he had as a writer, producer and performer of the comedy show The TV Show in which even his best friend, who later became director Rob Reiner, was seen.
His breakthrough came in 1977 with the hit sitcom Soap - Home Sweet Home, in which he played a homosexual, which at that time was still considered taboo. After the dismissal of the series, he developed his own stage show and toured until the mid- 1980s as a stand-up comedian by numerous comedy clubs.
1984 Crystal joined for the first time on the show Saturday Night Live on. Soon he was an integral part of the performer ensembles, which at the time the likes of Jim Belushi, Dana Carvey ( Wayne's World ), Eddie Murphy and Martin Short were.
Since 1986 he has presented, together with Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg, the annual benefit show for Comic Relief, the American version of the British Red Nose Day.
1990 Crystal has hosted the Oscars for the first time. Own account, he fulfilled a childhood dream. He hosted the gala also in the years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004 and - after the cancellation of Eddie Murphy - also in 2012.
His dry humor and his witty sayings make him one of the most popular U.S. entertainer.
In 1992 his directorial debut The last comedian was nominated for an Oscar.
For Billy Crystal important films as an actor include When Harry Met Sally (1989 ), City Slickers ( 1991), and Analyze This (1999).
Since 1970 he is married to Janice L. Goldfinger, with whom he has two children. His Born in 1973, daughter Jennifer Crystal works as an actress.
In 1992, he was the first guest of Jay Leno on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. 2014 after the resignation Jay Leno's also also the last.
Crystal is big supporter of the Los Angeles Clippers and missed as far as possible a home game of basketball teams from Los Angeles.