Dad had a music store, and he'd often bring home comedy albums that I would listen to. I started listening to Bob Newhart and Bill Cosby, and developing taste. They really influenced my style of comedy. Billy Crystal More Quotes by Billy Crystal More Quotes From Billy Crystal I never missed a birthday. I never missed a school play. We carpooled. And the greatest compliment I can ever get is not about my career or performance or anything; it's when people say, 'You know, your girls are great.' That's the real thing for me. Billy Crystal me you birthday people Muhammad Ali struck us in the middle of America's darkest night, in the heart of its most threatening gathering storm. His power toppled the mightiest of foes, and his intense light shined on America, and we were able to see clearly injustice, inequality, poverty, pride, self realization, courage, laughter, love, joy and religious freedom for all. Billy Crystal freedom light heart love One night, I wrote down all the things I was waiting to do with my little granddaughter, and it became a book, 'I Already Know I Love You.' It was one of those really lovely things in life. Billy Crystal i-love-you waiting love life Ali forced us to take a look at ourselves. This brash young man who thrilled us, angered us, confused and challenged us, ultimately became a silent messenger of peace who taught us that life is best when you build bridges between people, not walls. Billy Crystal best man peace life The Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower. They're monumental. They're straight out of Page 52 in your school history book. Billy Crystal your book history school 'Parental Guidance' combines comedy and pathos in the best way. Billy Crystal best comedy guidance way Your success is in your point of view. It's your life that you're talking about; it's your observations. That's the best lesson that I ever had. Billy Crystal best you success life Since I got into the movies, 'Running Scared,' that did $40 million. 'Princess Bride,' I got good reviews for the character Miracle Max. 'Memories of Me' didn't do well. 'Throw Mama from the Train' did $70 million. 'Harry and Sally' did 95 or 96. 'City Slickers' did $120 million. Billy Crystal good me character memories My mum, Helen, was hilarious. She had a tremendous sense of humour and was a great singer and tap dancer. For many years, she was the voice of Minnie Mouse in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She would be in the float as it came along, singing whatever the Minnie Mouse song of the day was. She was a really big spirit in my life. Billy Crystal my-life day thanksgiving life No disrespect to Sweden: I didn't think of them as the comedy universe. Billy Crystal think disrespect comedy universe Two things I really wanted to be: a stand-up comic or a New York Yankee - or a really funny New York Yankee. Billy Crystal new things new-york funny Your first friends are your truest friends, I find. And the ones that stick are really special. Billy Crystal your find friends special When you're the host of the Academy Awards, and you grew up watching Bob Hope and Johnny Carson, and now it's your turn, and you get a chance to run with the baton on the relay for a while, I really embraced it and just really loved being there. Billy Crystal loved you chance hope I could always improvise. Some of my teachers remember me standing in front of the class with a flower on my head, talking about photosynthesis. I'd stop and say, 'Is this working for any of you?' The kids were like, 'What is he doing?' Billy Crystal me you flower remember Mom was so funny and loving to us kids. She was our first audience. When my dad died, I was suddenly alone in the house with her because my two older brothers were away at college. I was the man of the house, and she was the grieving woman. Billy Crystal woman alone man funny I really could've been a good student, but I was always hearing an imaginary audience. Billy Crystal student good always audience When I was about 21 and just about to get out of college at NYU, Vietnam was raging, and I was a frustrated musician for a little bit. Billy Crystal about get just college I can't bear to think of life without Janice. I want to go first because I don't want to miss her, because that would be a pain far worse than any death. Billy Crystal think pain life death When I first started, there were, like... two or three critics that you thought, 'Alright, I hope I get a good review from them.' And now there's millions of them. Billy Crystal thought good you hope
