Billy Crystal
From Muppet Wiki
Billy Crystal (b. 1947), is an Emmy Award winning comedian, actor, and New York Yankees fan. Beginning his career in stand-up, Crystal soon made the transition to television, playing one of the first openly gay characters, Jodi Dallas, on Soap. While an actor in prime time, Crystal then moved to the ranks of "Not Ready For Prime Time Players" of Saturday Night Live in 1984 (having been cut from the first episode in 1975). His SNL character, Ricky, made an appearance on Sesame Street in 1984 (EKA: Episode 2208). Billy Crystal also appeared with Ed Grimley (played by Martin Short) in a 1980's Sesame Street sketch on how to dry Ed's shirt on a clothesline (a clip can be seen in Stars and Street Forever!). (SSvideo)
His film credits include Rob Reiner's This is Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride, Pixar's Monsters, Inc., When Harry Met Sally, and City Slickers. The latter two were also lampooned when Crystal acted as guest-star on episode 103 of Muppets Tonight.
Second only to Bob Hope for the number of times hosting, Crystal has hosted the Academy Awards Ceremony eight times. He also appeared in a one-man show on Broadway, 700 Sundays, and together with Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams has hosted Comic Relief on HBO since 1986.
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