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17 S E E B I L LY C R Y S TA L O N F E B R UA R Y 27 I N D E L L H A L L. Everyone knows Billy Crystal— comedian, actor, writer, director and television host—even if they're only familiar with one of his iconic roles. He's not only succeeded in the dog-eat- dog business of Hollywood, but has also done so with aplomb. Success in the world of entertainment often depends largely on chance, but Crystal must be doing something right, too. ere's no other way to explain his string of beloved hits and the warmth and adoration of his many fans. Crystal's latest memoir "Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys?" was an instant best seller. His latest tour "Spend e Night with Billy Crystal" just kicked off in the United States and promises to be a hilarious time. "is show is unique. ere's stand up, and 'sit down' which gives me great freedom to tell stories, show film clips and talk about my life and career and the world as I see it," said Crystal. "It's loose, unpredictable and intimate. e most fun I've had on stage in a long time." When Crystal was born in 1948, his family lived in the Bronx before moving to Long Island two years later. He is the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were gifted comedians. Growing up they learned the ins and outs of jokes and comedic timing by listening to and memorizing the classic routines of great performers like Bob Newhart and Sid Caesar from their father's records. After graduating High School in 1965, Crystal attended college on a baseball scholarship, but left after his first year to study film and television directing at NYU. Afterwards he pursued comedy and improv in coffee houses and colleges while working part- time as a substitute teacher, eventually appearing on "All in the Family," "e Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Muhammad Ali" and the first season of "Saturday Night Live." In 1977 Crystal also set the all-time "$20,000 Pyramid" record for shortest Winner's Circle time at 26 seconds. Billy's first big break came on the show "Soap" playing Jodie Dallas, one of the first unambiguously homosexual characters in an American television series. ough his first major movie was 1978's "Rabbit Test" (directed by Joan Rivers), he's remembered for his roles in other more well-known films such as "is Is Spinal Tap," "e Princess Bride" and "When Harry Met Sally...," which went on to become a classic of the romantic comedy genre and probably Crystal's most celebrated film. In 1991 he starred in "City Slickers" and in 2001 he provided the voice of monster Mike Wazowski in the blockbuster Pixar film "Monsters, Inc." Crystal has also hosted the Academy Awards broadcast nine times, a record bested only by Bob Hope who has hosted the show 18 times. "The most fun I've had on stage in a long time."