If you’ve ever watched When Harry Met Sally and wondered if that kind of soul-deep, bantering connection actually exists in real life, you don’t have to look much further than the man who played Harry Burns. Most actors in Los Angeles swap spouses like they’re trading in old cars for the newest lease. Not Billy. Honestly, the answer to who is billy crystal married to is a rarity in show business: it’s the same woman he fell for before he was even famous.
Her name is Janice Crystal (formerly Janice Goldfinger). They’ve been together for well over five decades, which is basically an eternity in "celebrity years."
The Summer of '66: How It All Started
It wasn’t a red carpet or a high-profile movie set. No, Billy and Janice met back in 1966 at a summer camp in Long Beach, New York. Billy was just 18; Janice was 17. He was working there during the break before his sophomore year of college.
He saw her walk by, and that was it. He actually told people right then and there, "I’m gonna marry her." It sounds like a line from one of his movies, but he actually followed through. He even transferred from Marshall University in West Virginia back to a community college on Long Island just to be closer to her. Long-distance sucked back then, too.
They officially tied the knot on June 4, 1970. Think about that. When they got married, Billy wasn’t the voice of Mike Wazowski or a nine-time Oscar host. He was just a guy trying to make it in stand-up.
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Who Exactly Is Janice Crystal?
While she’s often seen on his arm at awards shows, Janice isn't just "the wife." She’s a powerhouse in her own right, though she tends to stay behind the scenes. She’s an accomplished producer and actress who has worked closely with Billy on some of his biggest passion projects.
- Producing Success: She was a producer on Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays, the autobiographical filmed version of his Broadway show. It snagged an Emmy nomination in 2014.
- Tony Winner: She actually took home a Tony Award for her work on the theatrical version of 700 Sundays.
- Acting Stints: She’s popped up in small roles here and there, including the 2021 film Here Today, which Billy directed.
They aren't just a couple; they're a creative team. Billy often refers to her as "the weight in his shoes," the person who keeps him from drifting off into the clouds when the fame gets too heavy.
The Secret Sauce: Why They’ve Lasted 55 Years
In an industry where marriages often crumble under the pressure of ego and schedules, the Crystals have managed to stay remarkably solid. People ask them the "secret" constantly. Billy usually gives a funny answer first—like "have a girlfriend" or "I'm insatiable"—but when he gets serious, it’s actually pretty simple.
He told Kelly Clarkson that they "still learn from each other." They’re still curious. They laugh a lot. It’s about respect, sure, but it’s also about finding someone who is your favorite person to talk to at 2:00 AM.
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Building a Dynasty
The couple has two daughters, Jennifer (born in 1973) and Lindsay (born in 1977). Both followed their parents into the family business. Jennifer is an actress you might recognize from House, and Lindsay is a producer and director who has worked on The Daily Show.
Now, they’re in the "grandparenting" phase of life with four grandkids. Billy has joked that he can’t show the kids the famous "diner scene" from When Harry Met Sally yet, so he just tells them he’s the one-eyed green monster from Monsters, Inc. It works.
Facing Hard Times Together
It hasn’t all been red carpets and laughter. In early 2025, the couple faced a devastating blow when their long-time home in the Pacific Palisades was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires. They had lived there since 1979. Every memory, every photo, every inch of the place where they raised their kids was gone.
Billy told People that they are "inching forward" day by day. Even in total loss, they have each other. It’s that "through the thin and the thinner" mentality he always talks about.
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What You Can Learn From the Crystals
You don't have to be a multi-millionaire comedian to take a page out of their book. Their relationship works because it was built on a foundation that had nothing to do with money or fame.
- Marry your friend: If you can't laugh with them, the hard times will be twice as heavy.
- Stay curious: Don't assume you know everything about your partner just because you've been together a decade.
- Prioritize the "Us": Even when Billy was "Mr. Mom" in the early 70s while Janice worked, they found a balance that put the family first.
If you’re looking for a Hollywood role model, Billy and Janice are the gold standard. They’ve proven that you can stay grounded even when the rest of the world is looking up at you.
Check out Billy’s latest work on Apple TV+ to see how he’s still bringing that same heart to his performances at 76.