Pacific Palisades former Honorary Co-Mayor Billy Crystal continues to rack up honors. Today, October 13, he was officially named a Superfan at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2024 Enshrinement festivities at the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Crystal, a diehard fan of the Clippers, joined Alan Horwitz (Philadelphia 76ers), Spike Lee (Knicks) and Jack Nicholson (Lakers) as Superfans.
Established in 2018, the SuperFan Gallery was created to recognize and celebrate some of the most iconic and dedicated fans in basketball history. SuperFans are selected based on: 1) A proven history of attending games for a particular team or teams; 2) A genuine love for basketball, demonstrated by their deep knowledge and passion, 3) A recognizable and respected reputation within the basketball community, and 4) A profound respect and appreciation for the history of the game.
When he was told about the award, Crystal, who played basketball in high school, quipped “Well, I guess this means I’m not getting in as a player. Very grateful to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for this honor. I merely represent all devoted fans of the game we love.”
In a funny appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, he explains what happens when he and Jack Nicholson were attending a Lakers game and ended up on the “kiss cam” click here.
Crystal also spoke about his new series Before, which premieres Friday, October 25 on Apple TV+. Crystal plays a child psychiatrist Dr. Eli Adler, who has tragically lost his wife. He encounters a troubled young boy who seems to have a connection to Eil’s past.
The limited series is called a character-driven psychological thriller. Alongside Crystal, the supernatural mystery series stars multi-Emmy and Tony Award winner Judith Light, Jacobi Jupe, Academy Award nominee Rosie Perez, Tony Award nominee Maria Dizzia and Ava Lalezarzadeh.
Crystal, an actor, comedian and filmmaker has won Tony and Emmy Awards, and is known for his feature films “When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers and Analyze This.”
He received the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2007. This past June he was selected as a John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 46th Honoree.
Crystal and wife Janice have two daughters, Jennifer and Lindsay, and four grandchildren, Ella, Dylan, Hudson and Griffin.