Billy Crystal is an American broad-band actor, presenter of the Oscars,

American TV presenter, producer, director and actor Billy Crystal was born on March 14, 1948 in New York. In 1970 he graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Art, where he studied the history of television and cinema under the guidance of the master Martin Scorsese. After university began to appear on television in the comedy series "Soap".

The beginning of the creative path

He made his debut in a big movie in 1978, playing Miles Gordon in the movie "Human feelings." In 1984, Billy Crystal starred in the film by Rob Rainer titled "This is Spinal Tap," with a slightly intricate plot. The film chaotically intertwines the reality and falsification, turning into a satire. The events that are happening concern a fictional rock band, gradually losing popularity. Billy played a character called Morty.

Then the actor took part in filming another film by Rob Rainer's "Princess Bride", filmed in 1987. His character was the wizard Max. On set, Billy Crystal first met with Hollywood star Peter Falk. Communication with the venerable actor was very useful.

Fame

The popularity came later, when Billy Crystal starred in the comedy "Shoot Mom off the train." His character, Larry Donner, a writer and teacher of courses in fine arts, has plans for how to get rid of his mother, who is in every way taking care of him.

Another character who added an actor of fame was Mitch Robbins, the protagonist of the movie "City dudes" directed by Ron Underwood. Then Billy Crystal starred in several successful film projects of different focus. Of particular note is the 1989 film titled "When Harry Met Sally" directed by Rob Reiner. A romantic comedy full of melodrama, became for the actor a revelation, he considers Harry's character one of his best works. Actress Meg Ryan, who played Sally, also managed to create the image of the main character in the best traditions of the genre.

The image of the colorful comedy actor was strengthened by two films, where Crystal starred along with Robert de Niro: "Analyze this" (1999) and Analyze it (2002), directed by Harold Ramis. Billy Crystal played Dr. Ben Sobel, a psychoanalyst that fate brought with a major representative of the New York mafia.

TV

In the seventies of the last century, the actor regularly participated in various TV shows, such as "Live Saturday Night" and "All in the Family." However, Billy Crystal wanted to realize his opportunities to the fullest, and in 1976 he opened his own program. However, the comic sketches that formed the basis of the new show did not give the desired effect, and the shows had to be rolled.

Oscar Awards Ceremony

In 1990, Crystal first became the leading "sacred action" in awarding the highest award of American cinema. His abilities as a showman with a subtle sense of humor produced a favorable impression on a large audience. In the Los Angeles Theater "Dolby", as they say, "there was nowhere to fall an apple." As a result of the successful performance, the actor was invited to conduct the Oscar Awards ceremony eight more times, from 1991 to 2012. And when Billy had another project of his own, an actor's theater called "700 Saturdays", he was forced to abandon the proposals of the organizers.

Creative ambitions

Billy Crystal, films with whose participation did not produce (in his opinion) a special impression on the public, tried to find himself all in new and new projects. He began to participate in the creation of animated films, possessing a good diction, voiced the characters. This occupation brought a pleasant variety in the routine activities of the actor and also paid well.

In the animated film "Walking Castle" Billy voiced a character called Kalsifer. Then, in a voice, Mike Vazovsky spoke in the animation tape "Monsters' corporation."

In 1992, Crystal tried his hand at the filmmaker and screenwriter for the film "Mr. Saturday Evening", and then the melodrama entitled "Forget Paris".

Filmography

During his career, the actor starred in more than thirty films of a different genre. Below are the selected movies. Starring Billy Crystal, the performer of both main and minor characters.

• "Shoot Mom off the train" (1987), character Larry;
• "My memories" (1988), the role of Abby;
• "When Harry Met Sally" (1989), character Harry Barnes;
• "City dudes" (1991), the role of Mitch Robbins;
• "Farewell to Paris" (1995), character Mike Gordon;
• "Father's Day" (1997), character Jack Lawrence;
• "My giant" (1998), the role of Sam Kamin;
• "The favorites of America" (2001), the character of Lee Phillips;
• "Tooth Fairy" (2010), the role of Jerry;
• "Parental lawlessness" (2012), a character of Artie Decker.

Currently, the actor is working on another role.

Personal life

Crystal is married to actress Janice, a couple lives in California, in a suburb of Los Angeles. The couple have two adult daughters who also work in film: Lindsay, born in 1977, and Jennifer, who was born in 1973.