Billy Crystal

Renaissance man Billy Crystal would rightfully earn his place as one of Hollywood's most endearing stars over the course of his career. Comedian-actor-writer-director-producer-emcee, and even major league ball player, were all hats the perpetually peppy entertainer wore at one time or another. Cutting his comedic teeth as a young boy while he and his older brothers learned to "work the room" performing for family at home in New York, Crystal would be prowling the comedy clubs of the city by his late teens. He made a name for himself on television, most notably as a mid-1980s cast member of "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ) and with two HBO comedy specials, but it was in film favorites like "When Harry Met Sally" (1989) and "City Slickers" (1991) where Crystal solidified his status as a full-fledged movie star. As a frequent host of the annual Academy Awards, Crystal also found himself regarded as arguably the best emcee the ceremony had ever had, save Bob Hope. In addition to onscreen efforts such as "Analyze This" (1999), Crystal would lend his vocal talents to the Disney/Pixar mega-hit "Monsters, Inc." (2001). In 2004, Crystal mounted a one-man Broadway show dedicated to the memory of his late father, and in 2008 even realized his childhood dream of playing a game as a New York Yankee. As either a performer or a personality, Crystal remained one of the most versatile, prolific and beloved figures in entertainment.