Billy Crystal

Born: 14th March 1947
Where: Long Island, New York

Billy went to New York University where he majored in film and TV direction, studying under Martin Scorsese.

He made the comedy club rounds before being featured on the popular TV series, Soap, after which he went on to TV-movies, a variety show of his own, and a busted pilot before becoming a crucial member of the Saturday Night Live ensemble in the mid-80s.

Billy made his film debut playing a pregnant man in the little-seen Rabbit Test, directed by Joan Rivers, then went on to appear in Running Scared, and had a bit part in the romantic fantasy The Princess Bride.

He consolidated his box-office standing as the romantic lead in the hugely successful When Harry Met Sally opposite Meg Ryan. After this he appeared in City Slickers, which marked Billy's first collaboration with the comedy writing team of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel.

Billy provided the story and served as executive producer for the film, which was followed three years later with a sequel.

In addition to producing, co-writing (with exec producers Ganz and Mandel) and starring, Billy directed Mr. Saturday Night.

Despite all his other successes, Billy is also well known and loved for his frequent duties as a TV host, particularly as host of the Oscars.

In 1997, he teamed onscreen with Robin Williams for the comedy Father's Day, which proved to be a box-office disappointment.

He attempted another screen comedy as writer, producer and star of My Giant, then starred opposite Robert De Niro in the popular Analyze This, resulting in a sequel, Analyze That.

Lending his voice to the animated hit, Monsters, Inc., further highlighted Billy's comedic skills and talent.