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Billy Crystal: Long Island
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Billy Crystal has created one of the most versatile and remarkable careers in the entertainment industry, finding success both in front of the camera as a performer in film and television and behind the scenes as a writer, director and producer. The Long Island native grew up surrounded by music, as his family owned and operated the legendary Commodore label and record store, and his father produced concerts by some of the era's great jazz performers.
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Raised on Long Island, Crystal was attracted to the idea of performing at an early age, and he and his two brothers would perform shtick for their relatives in his grandmother's living room during family gatherings. He came to the attention of national audiences with his portrayal of Jodie Dallas, one of television's first recurring homosexual characters, in the series Soap, a situation comedy popular during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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Crystal was born on March 14, 1947 in Long Island, NY. His home state would later play a pivotal role in his success. Before Crystal was writing Emmy-award-winning scripts for the Academy Awards, he was exposed to great stars. His family owned and operated the legendary Commodore label and record store. His father, Jack, produced concerts by the era’s great jazz performers.
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Originally an HBO special, Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line stars the eponymous Crystal essaying a never-ending stream of sharply etched characterizations. The premise of the hour-long special is that Crystal is auditioning actors for an upcoming musical. His interpretation of the many auditionees--whose talents range from slim to none--is funny enough to bring tears to the eyes. One of the best bits has Crystal portraying a small boy left home alone by his parents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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Crystal said he had a wonderful childhood that launched him on his comic career, which began when he was just three years old. He and his two older brothers would mimic their relatives at big family gatherings in the living room of their house out in Long Beach, Long Island.
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Crystal is preparing for the national tour of his hit solo show 700 Sundays. The two-act play, which he conceived and wrote, is about his parents and his childhood growing up on Long Island. Crystal won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for 700 Sundays and will bring the show back to Broadway for a limited run in 2006.
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