Father was a jazz producer and owned a record shop; his uncle Milton Gabler began the first independent jazz label, Commodore Records
Singer Billie Holiday was one of his babysitters
Went to Marshall University on a baseball scholarship, but transferred after one year when the baseball program was eliminated after his freshman year
Studied film under Martin Scorsese at NYU
Was to appear as a guest on the first episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975, but backed out after he was told that his segment had to be shortened
Got his break on TV with his role on Soap, Jodie Dallas, the first regular prime-time gay character
Made his feature-film directorial debut with Mr
Saturday Night (1992)
Co-wrote and starred in the autobiographical one-man production 700 Sundays, for which his wife won a 2005 Tony (Special Theatrical Event) as a producer
The title refers to the amount of Sundays Crystal spent with his father, who died suddenly when he was 15
A life-long New York Yankees fan, was signed to a minor-league contract for one day by the club in 2008 so he could officially participate in a spring-training game
He had one at bat and struck out after facing six pitches
He was released the following day on his 60th birthday
Is part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team
Awards
2014Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special:nominated
2014Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special:nominated
2014Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special:nominated
2014Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special:nominated
2012Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Programs:nominated
2012Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special:nominated
2004Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
2001Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special:nominated
2001Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie:nominated
2000Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1998Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program:winner
1997Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1996Emmy-Outstanding Performance for a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1993Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1992Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program:winner
1992Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1991Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program:winner
1991Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:winner
1991MTV Movie Awards-Best Comedic Performance:winner
1990Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program:winner
1990Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special:nominated
1990Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1989Emmy-Outstanding Performance in Special Events:winner
1988Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1988Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Events:nominated
1987Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated
1985Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program:nominated