A remarkable bond has flourished between Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice Crystal, for over fifty years. Their love story began in New York during the summer of 1966, culminating in their marriage on June 4, 1970, well before Billy’s rise to fame with When Harry Met Sally.
Janice holds a special place in Billy’s heart. In a December 2023 interview with Gayle King, he expressed, “Her honesty, her strength, her love. She is the weight in my shoes in case I tend to drift off.” Together, they have two daughters, Jennifer and Lindsay, and they cherish their roles as grandparents to four grandchildren.
Janice Crystal standing by Billy throughout his journey to stardom
The story of their enduring relationship reflects their teenage romance, which began in Long Beach, New York. After graduating from Long Beach High School in 1965, where he was named “Most Popular,” Billy moved on to Marshall University in West Virginia to play baseball.
His life took a turn during a summer camp job before his sophomore year, where he first encountered Janice. “This girl walks by… and I said, ‘I’m gonna marry her.’ And I did, four years later,” he reminisced on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast.
Meeting Janice deeply influenced Billy’s choice to remain in New York. “I loved her so much right away. You know, I don’t know if you’ve ever been in a long-distance relationship — they don’t work out,” he noted. He transferred to Nassau Community College, taking an acting class that made him feel at home before eventually earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film from NYU.
Their wedding took place on June 4, 1970. During a May 2021 interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Billy shared his thoughts on maintaining a long and happy marriage. “We laugh, we joke, we still learn from each other. We still love being together… It’s important to always be curious and find out more about each other.”
His parents’ relationship has also served as a model for his own. “My parents always looked like they loved being together… That’s how my wife and I are. I still feel like we’re dating.”
As a couple that has weathered the storms of Hollywood, Billy and Janice often get asked for their secrets to a long-lasting marriage. “What’s the secret to a 50-year marriage? We see other people,” he humorously told PEOPLE during an interview with his Standing Up, Falling Down co-star Ben Schwartz.
Billy added that he attributes “respect, humor, [and] honesty” to the success of their marriage, urging couples to “enjoy all the time that you have together, through the thin and the thinner.”
The couple welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer Crystal Foley, on January 26, 1973. In his 2021 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Billy shared insights about his early days as a stay-at-home dad.
“I was Mr. Mom way before it was popular,” he joked, highlighting his primary role in caring for Jennifer while Janice worked. He described this experience as pivotal, fostering a deep bond and giving him a new perspective on responsibility and love.
Their second daughter, Lindsay Crystal, was born on October 21, 1977. Reflecting on their parenting style in a 2013 interview with The Guardian, Billy stated, “I think my wife and I were good parents because we didn’t want to be our kids’ friends… We knew we had to be their parents.” He emphasized the importance of listening, patience, and maintaining authority while allowing their children to express themselves.
The joy of grandparenthood came when Jennifer had her first child, Ella Ryan Foley. “When my daughter Jenny was pregnant with our first grandchild, Ella, it was very profound for me,” Billy recalled to The Guardian.
He penned a children’s book titled I Already Know I Love You, inspired by the moments he anticipated sharing with Ella. Today, Billy and Janice are proud grandparents to four grandchildren, including Ella’s younger sister, Dylan Frances Foley, and Lindsay’s two sons.
Billy humorously recounted how his grandkids reacted when they learned he voiced beloved characters in movies. “When they understood that I was Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc., I had to talk like him for six months.
It drove me crazy,” he admitted. On a more touching note, he expressed pride and joy when his grandchildren attended his Broadway show in 2022. “At the age of 74, I made my musical comedy debut in front of my grandchildren opening night… that was the greatest thrill of all.”
When their 50th anniversary arrived in 2020, Billy and Janice found themselves facing the COVID-19 pandemic, which complicated their celebration plans. Their children and grandchildren came together to create a memorable anniversary dinner.
“They created a little outdoor restaurant for us… and we had this very romantic dinner, just the two of us,” Billy shared during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He humorously noted that despite the charm of the evening, the service was “slow.”
A shared passion for comedy and theater has defined Janice and Billy’s relationship from the start. Even in her early twenties, Janice contributed to the arts by working as an assistant to the theater dean at a local junior college.
She played a remarkable role in producing Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays, which garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety Special in 2014. Additionally, Janice had a small part in the 2021 film Here Today, which Billy wrote, directed, and starred in, showcasing her talent in front of the camera as well.
During the early days of his career, Janice provided crucial support to Billy while he worked as a substitute teacher. He revealed in a discussion with Clarkson that her selflessness allowed him to pursue his dream of being a comedian full-time.
“Janice decided to return to work and have Billy stay home with our daughter,” he recalled. “It was the greatest gift of her selflessness as a young mother with a 6-month-old, to trust me.”
