Billy Crystal to receive hand and footprint ceremony at TCM Classic Film Festival

Billy Crystal may already hold a hallowed place in Hollywood history as a beloved Oscar host, but that reputation is about to be set in stone. Well, cement if we’re being technical.

The actor and comedian, beloved for his roles in films like When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and The Princess Bride, will be honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at the 10th annual TCM Classic Film Festival. The network announced the news on Tuesday.

Crystal’s ceremony will take place during the film festival on Friday, April 12 in front of the legendary TCL Chinese Theater, where his hand and footprints will be immortalized in cement alongside the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Steven Spielberg, and John Wayne.

This will mark the ninth consecutive year TCM has featured a hand and footprint ceremony as part of its festival, having previously honored Peter O’Toole, Kim Novak, Jane Fonda, Jerry Lewis, Christopher Plummer, Francis Ford Coppola, Cicely Tyson, and frequent Crystal collaborator Rob Reiner and his father Carl.

“Billy Crystal has long been among the most versatile talents working in Hollywood,” said Ben Mankiewicz, TCM primetime anchor and official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival, in a statement. “And I say ‘talent’ because Billy is so much more than an actor. Trying to define his career into a signature role or moment feels futile. Is it his lead performance in When Harry Met Sally, the ensemble he led in City Slickers, or his scene-stealing supporting part as Miracle Max in The Princess Bride? Then again, it might be his prodigious resume of voice acting work or his consistently impressive work hosting the Academy Awards, which he’s done nine times (only Bob Hope has done it more). From Soap to Monsters, Inc. Crystal has emerged as one of the great story tellers of his generation – on the big screen, the small screen, and in front of a live audience. For these and a fifty other reasons, we’re thrilled to be able to honor Billy for his contributions to this industry with a hand and footprint ceremony outside the TCL Chinese Theater.”

Crystal celebrated the news on his Twitter feed, writing, “I couldn’t be more honored.”

It’s just the latest in a stream of big moments for Crystal. On Jan. 31, the longtime Los Angeles Clippers fan joined retiring Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler to call the Clippers game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Fox Sports Prime Ticker. Crystal has held season tickets since 1985, and Lawler is retiring at the end of this season after 41 years with the team.

Crystal will also take part in the 10th annual TCM Classic Film Festival’s opening night gala. He will join director Rob Reiner and co-star Meg Ryan for a 30th anniversary reunion and screening of iconic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. The film aligns perfectly with this year’s festival theme, Follow Your Heart: Love At The Movies.

This year will mark both the 10th festival and the 25th anniversary of TCM’s existence as a network.

The TCM Classic Film Festival will be held Thursday, April 11 – Sunday, April 14, 2019 in Hollywood.

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