Comedian Billy Crystal has found success both in front of and behind the camera as an actor, a writer, a producer and, most recently, a director. He has won six Emmy Awards, six American Comedy Awards and seven Cable Ace Awards, and hosted the Academy Awards seven times. However, despite his impressive résumé, Crystal’s never gotten a chance to find out the answer to the age old question, ‘is it really hard being green?’
That is, until now.
In Walt Disney and Pixar’s animated film Monsters, Inc, Crystal plays Mike Wazowski, a monster whose life is turned upside down when a human child enters his world. By playing the one-eyed, green monster, Crystal was given a chance to not only find out if life is more difficult when you are green, but also to fulfill one of his life-long dreams of starring in a Disney animated film– something he, regretfully, turned down in the past.
When I met up with the Crystal just a few weeks before Monsters, Inc‘s release, he was eager to discuss the film — and eager to make it to Oakland to watch the Yankee’s vs. A’s game. Although our time together was limited (he did have a plane to catch), we still found time to discuss not only the film, but also what– if anything — he still has to prove to himself at this point in his career. When you’ve accomplished as much as Crystal has, what really is left? The answer is quite simple: family.
Get the interview in part two of I LIKE MIKE: BILLY CRYSTAL ON “MONSTERS, INC”>>>
