Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Part 3) — Billy Crystal
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER:
MY DREAM INVITE LIST (Part 3)
Thanks for joining me once again and reading my new writing series, which continues today.
“Name ten people you would invite to a lavish dinner for a night of great conversation.”
Time for Part 3, and my third pick for the greatest dinner and conversation of all time:
BILLY CRYSTAL
Explanation: Billy Crystal is far from my favorite comedian, actor, or entertainment personality. But take the sum of all his parts, and he’s dynamite. Few performers have played so many different roles in stand-up, movies (comedy and drama), television, on Broadway, hosting the Academy Awards, and delivers such authenticity in every appearance. As a dinner guest, one can only imagine the stories and the people he’s encountered over the decades since his first professional gig 56 years ago. To me, he’s the perfect dinner guest.
Some facts I learned, and you may not know about — BILLY CRYSTAL:
– age 78
– born in New York City
– father was a jazz producer and promoter who owned Commodore Music Store and Commodore Records
– regularly welcomed Billie Holiday and other jazz greats inside the family home
– father lost everything with decline of jazz’s popularity and new music stores opened up in the 1960s
– attended Marshall University (in West Virginia) on a baseball scholarship
– transferred to New York University where he met his wife (graduated in 1970)
– one of his Fine Arts Department instructors at NYU was Martin Scorsese, and was in the same classes alongside Oliver Stone and Christopher Guest
– started out as an improv comedian, then started doing impressions. He perfected the famous Muhammed Ali-Howard Cosell routine, which got him invited to his first “Tonight Show” in 1976, then later most of the “Dean Martin Roasts”
– guested on numerous television shows in the 70s — “All in the Family,” “The Love Boat,” and others. Was casted full time on a controversial show titled “Soap”….his role was one of the first openly gay characters on television
– appeared on popular afternoon TV game show “The $10,000 Pyramid” and still holds the record to this day as the fastest contestant partner to reach the top cash prize — six clues and right answers in just 26 seconds!
– came up with lounge lizard’s schmaltzy catch-phrase line “You look….maaahhvelous!” on the spot in a SNL skit
– first movie role was playing a pregnant man in Joan Rivers’ film “Rabbit Test”
– hosted the annual Academy Awards ceremony nine times. He’s often regarded as one of the best hosts in history, praised for his impeccable timing and good judgement. Many of his best ad lib lines became classics
– memorable films roles in “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “City Slickers,” “Analyze This,” and more
– appeared in both Jay Leno’s very first show, and very last show
– Directed “61,” a film documentary about Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record.
– produced two best-selling jazz compilations of old recordings made by his family of Billie Holiday and others.
– said the hardest thing he ever did onstage was paying tribute to close friend and fellow comedy legend Robin Williams in a live telecast. “I was really worried I wasn’t going to get through it,” he later said.
– co-founder and huge supporter of “Comic Relief,” a charity that provides assistance to many comedians going through tough times and for homeless people
– numerous honors and awards, including one of the Kennedy Center honorees in 2023
– huge baseball fan and lifelong New York Yankees fan. Was signed to a one-day contract by the Yankees on his 60th birthday and even made a plate appearance in a spring training game against the Pirates (he struck out)
– met Mickey Mantle as a kid, who was his childhood hero and they later became good friends–Crystal delivered the eulogy at his funeral
– author of five books
– married in 1970, still married after 56 years, two daughters
– their home was totally destroyed in the terrible Pacific Palisades Fire (2025)
– has endorsed candidates and appeared in many political commercials, almost entirely Democrats
Crystal is always a great interview subject. But his best talent might be his spontaneity, rooted in his sketch comedy days and improv style act. In this interview CLICK HERE, he tells the famous story of hosting the Oscars live in front of millions of people, and disaster strikes. Great story. Classic Crystal.
Finally, there’s always something a little deeper about Crystal when he’s really “on.” Maybe it’s between the lines. A delayed reaction. It’s like we get the inside joke, and we’re privileged to be a part of it. I also really admire his ability to be funny, but never vulgar. A throwback to the classic comedians, he rarely uses profanity in his act or in any roles.
I’m really liking my guest list, so far. I’ve now got three of my ten seats filled:
1. ALICE COOPER
2. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON
3. BILLY CRYSTAL
More coming soon.
