What is Billy Crystal's Net Worth and Salary?
Billy Crystal is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian, and film director with a remarkable net worth of $60 million. Gaining fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Crystal's appearances on 'Soap' and 'Saturday Night Live' set the stage for a prolific career. He shined on the big screen with roles in 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'City Slickers,' and 'Analyze This.' His voice brought Mike Wazowski to life in the 'Monsters, Inc.' franchise. Aside from acting, Crystal has notably hosted the Academy Awards nine times and won a Tony Award for his one-man show '700 Sundays.' Throughout his career, he has received several Emmy Awards and the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Early Life
William Edwards Crystal was born on March 14, 1948, on Manhattan's Upper East Side and raised initially in the Bronx before moving to Long Island. He grew up in a Jewish household with two brothers. His father, a jazz producer, passed away after losing his business in 1963.
After high school in Long Beach, Crystal attended Marshall University in West Virginia on a baseball scholarship, but later transferred to New York City's Nassau Community College and then to New York University. At NYU, he studied film and television directing under Martin Scorsese and alongside industry greats like Oliver Stone and Christopher Guest, graduating in 1970.
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Career
Crystal began his career in New York City's comedy clubs before making it to television, appearing on 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.' His big break came as Jodie Dallas on the hit sitcom 'Soap.' He starred in 'Rabbit Test,' where he played a man who became pregnant, and while his variety show was short-lived, he continued to gain notoriety as a TV host and movie star.
In 1986, Crystal starred in 'Running Scared' and had a significant supporting role in 'The Princess Bride.' His performance alongside Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally…' secured him a Golden Globe nomination, and the film became iconic. 'City Slickers' followed suit, earning him another Golden Globe nomination.
In the early 90s, Crystal explored writing and directing with films like 'Mr. Saturday Night' and 'Forget Paris.' He joined Woody Allen's 'Deconstructing Harry' and starred with Robert De Niro in 'Analyze This.' At the turn of the millennium, Crystal voiced Mike Wazowski in 'Monsters, Inc.,' continuing his voice acting career with 'Howl's Moving Castle' in 2004 and 'Monsters University' in 2013. Although his lead role in FX's 'The Comedians' was short-lived, his film legacy remains enviable.
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Hosting
Crystal hosted the Academy Awards nine times between 1990 and 2012, only second to Bob Hope. His outstanding hosting skills earned him two Primetime Emmys.
Books
Billy Crystal has authored five books, with '700 Sundays' recounting his treasured Sundays spent with his father being a notable work.
Broadway
Crystal is no stranger to theater. He won a Tony Award for '700 Sundays,' a poignant one-act play based on his book. He toured with the show through 2006 and 2007, later bringing it back in 2013 for an HBO special.
Sports
A devoted New York Yankees fan, Crystal once spent $239,000 on a Mickey Mantle glove and signed a one-day contract with the Yankees for a pre-season game as he approached 60.
Personal Life
Billy married Janice Goldfinger in 1970, and they have two daughters, including actress Jennifer Crystal Foley.
Real Estate
Since 1979, Billy and Janice have resided in LA's Pacific Palisades. Serving as honorary mayors, their 1936 home is a significant landmark, valued at $8-10 million today.
