American TV host, producer, director andActor Billy Crystal was born on March 14, 1948 in New York. In 1970, he graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, where he studied the history of television and cinema under the guidance of master Martin Scorsese. After university, he began acting on television in the comedy series Soap.
The beginning of the creative path
Дебютировал в большом кино в 1978 году, сыграв Miles Gordon in the movie "Human feelings". In 1984, Billy Crystal starred in Rob Reiner’s film “This Is A Spinal Tap,” with a somewhat convoluted plot. In the film, reality and falsification, turning into a satire, are chaotically intertwined. The events taking place relate to a fictional rock band, gradually losing popularity. Billy played a character named Morty.
Then the actor took part in the filming of anotherRob Reiner's film "The Princess Bride", filmed in 1987. His character was the wizard Max. On the set, Billy Crystal first met Hollywood star Peter Falk. Communicating with a venerable actor was very helpful.
Fame
Popularity came later when Billy Crystalstarred in the comedy "Throw Mom off the Train." His character, Larry Donner, a writer and teacher of courses in exquisite literature, has plans to get rid of his mother, who takes care of him in every way.
Another character who added the actorfame, became Mitch Robbins, the main character of the movie "City dudes" directed by Ron Underwood. Then Billy Crystal starred in several successful film projects of different directions. It is particularly important to note the 1989 film titled "When Harry Met Sally," directed by Rob Reiner. Romantic comedy, full of melodrama, has become a revelation for the actor, he considers the character Harry one of his best works. Actress Meg Ryan, who played Sally, also managed to create an image of the main character in the best traditions of the genre.
Имидж колоритного комедийного актера упрочили два the film, where Crystal starred with Robert De Niro: "Analyze It" (1999) and "Analyze That" (2002) directed by Harold Ramis. Billy Crystal played Dr. Ben Sobel, a psychoanalyst, whom fate brought together with a major representative of the New York mafia.
TV
In the seventies of the last century, the actorHe regularly participated in various TV shows, such as "Live Saturday Night" and "All in the Family." However, Billy Crystal wanted to realize his full potential, 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 turned off.
Oscar Award Ceremony
In 1990, Crystal first became the leading"priesthood" in awarding the highest award of American cinema. His abilities as a showman with a delicate sense of humor made a favorable impression on a large audience. In the Los Angeles Dolby Theater, as they say, "there was no place for the apple." As a result of a successful performance, the actor was invited to hold the Oscar for another eight times, from 1991 to 2012. And when Billy had another regular project, a one-man show called “700 Saturdays,” he was already forced to refuse the proposals of the organizers.
Creative ambitions
Билли Кристал, фильмы с участием которого не made (in his opinion) to the public a special impression, tried to find himself all in new and new projects. He became involved in the creation of animated films, having a good diction, voiced characters. This activity made a pleasant variety in the routine activities of the actor and was also well paid.
In the movie "Moving Castle", Billy voiced a character named Kelsifer. Then Mike Wazowski spoke in his voice in the monster corporation animation tape.
In 1992, Crystal tried his hand as a director and screenwriter in creating the film "Mr. Saturday Night," and then the melodrama called "Forget Paris."
Filmography
During his career, the actor has appeared in more than thirty films of various genres. Listed below are selected movies. Starring Billy Crystal, performer of both major and minor characters.
- "Throw Mom off the Train" (1987), character Larry;
- "My Memories" (1988), the role of Abby;
- "When Harry Met Sally" (1989), the character is 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 Kemin;
- "America's Favorite" (2001), character Lee Phillips;
- Tooth Fairy (2010), the role of Jerry;
- "Parental lawlessness" (2012), character Artie Decker.
Currently, the actor is working on another role.
Personal life
Crystal is married to actress Janice, the couple lives inCalifornia, in the suburbs of Los Angeles. The couple have two adult daughters who also work in the cinema: Lindsay, born in 1977, and Jennifer, who was born in 1973.
