With over four decades of Hollywood success, comedian Billy Crystal has mastered the art of making people laugh. But beyond the glitz and glamour, Billy has some pretty insightful life lessons to share. Let’s dive into what this comedy legend has learned over the years and why it matters.

Crystal Clears It: Life is a Pinball Machine

At the Friars Club Honors Billy Crystal event held at NYC’s Ziegfeld Ballroom on November 12, Billy, now 70 years old, sat down with Closer Weekly to share his take on life. When asked about the greatest life lesson he's ever learned, Billy's response was both candid and relatable. “Oh, don’t let anything get in your way. Just keep pushing forward. That’s all you can do,” he explained. “Treat it with a sense of humor, and if something goes wrong, just ask yourself, ‘Alright, how do I fix this?’ Life’s a pinball machine—you hit the bottom, and sometimes the paddle throws you back up. That’s just how it goes.”

Crystal Honored: Celebrating Four Decades of Comedy

At the special event earlier this week, Billy was honored with an award recognizing his incredible career. Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Billy told Closer, “Well, it’s an organization, The Friars, that I’ve always wanted to be part of. When I was a little kid, I didn’t fully understand what they did, but I admired how Sammy [Davis Jr.], Frank [Sinatra], Jack Benny, and Milton Berle would gather, joke around, drink, and eat together. It was the camaraderie of a group of people who get up on stage and poke fun at life while delivering the truth in their own unique ways. To be part of that now, after all these years, and to receive an honor that’s only been given eight times, is incredibly special to me,” he shared.

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Love Story: Billy and Janice Crystal

Billy was joined by his wife of 48 years, Janice Crystal, at the event. In a previous exclusive interview with Closer, the When Harry Met Sally… star opened up about his lifelong love story with his college sweetheart. “The past couple of years have been amazing, filled with non-stop work. So, we’ve decided it’s time to take a break—maybe head to Europe for six to eight weeks, rent a house, and just relax,” he said. “I might even grow a beard! Imagine Janice walking by me in a bikini, and I follow her, starting our relationship all over again. I can’t bear to think of life without her,” he confessed in 2014. How sweet is that?

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