Billy Crystal

Father was a jazz producer and owned a record shop; his uncle Milton Gabler began the first independent jazz label, Commodore Records. Singer Billie Holiday was one of his babysitters. Went to Marshall University on a baseball scholarship, but transferred after one year when the baseball program was eliminated after his freshman year. Studied film under Martin Scorsese at NYU. Was to appear as a guest on the first episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975, but backed out after he was told that… Show more his segment had to be shortened. Got his break on TV with his role on Soap, Jodie Dallas, the first regular prime-time gay character. Made his feature-film directorial debut with Mr. Saturday Night (1992). Co-wrote and starred in the autobiographical one-man production 700 Sundays, for which his wife won a 2005 Tony (Special Theatrical Event) as a producer. The title refers to the amount of Sundays Crystal spent with his father, who died suddenly when he was 15. A life-long New York Yankees fan, was signed to a minor-league contract for one day by the club in 2008 so he could officially participate in a spring-training game. He had one at bat and struck out after facing six pitches. He was released the following day on his 60th birthday. Is part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. ~ Rovi

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