First published 2013
Billy Crystal reaches his 65th birthday and refuses to go quietly. The comedian chronicles the indignities of aging with his signature humor, tackling everything from sleepless nights to forgetting names to wearing dinner on his clothes. Crystal maps out the physical complaints and emotional adjustments that come with this milestone, offering guidance to the 77 million baby boomers joining him in this phase of life. He revisits the defining moments of his career, from childhood performances for family in Long Beach to stand-up gigs in Greenwich Village, his breakthrough on Saturday Night Live, his role in When Harry Met Sally, and his multiple turns hosting the Oscars. Crystal shares stories about his brief stint with the New York Yankees, his encounters with Sophia Loren, and his friendships with icons like Mickey Mantle and Muhammad Ali. He applies his comedic lens to weightier subjects including faith, becoming a grandfather, and dental work. Crystal balances laughs with genuine insight about growing older gracefully.
Genres: humor, autobiography, biography-memoir, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: celebrity, personal-journey
Setting: Greenwich Village, Long Beach, New York
Period: 65th Birthday, Baby Boomer
288 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co.