Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 18, 2025 · Entertainment

Unrecognizable at 77: Billy Crystal's Latest NYC Adventure!

A Hollywood A-lister who has become a national treasure was unrecognizable when he was glimpsed grocery shopping in New York City this week

Hollywood Legend Billy Crystal Spotted Unrecognizable During Secret Grocery Run in NYC

The Scholary Note: A legendary Hollywood star, known for his iconic roles and charming wit, was seen going incognito during a recent grocery shopping trip in New York City.

Billy Crystal, the 77-year-old acting giant, has been entertaining audiences for decades with his incredible range and versatility. From his pioneering role as Jodie Dallas on the groundbreaking sitcom Soap to his memorable supporting turn in The Princess Bride, Crystal's career has been nothing short of remarkable.

During the 1990s, he began his celebrated run as host of the Oscars, a position he filled nine times between 1990 and his final run in 2012

But what's truly fascinating is that even after all these years, Billy Crystal can still slip under the radar! This week, a stunned eyewitness caught the veteran star doing some solo shopping at a Manhattan grocery store – and not one hint of his A-list status was visible!

So, who exactly is this Hollywood icon? Well, for starters, he's the man behind the iconic sitcom character Jodie Dallas on Soap (1977-1980), one of the first openly gay regular characters on an American TV show. And remember that time he played a pregnant man in the infamous comedy Rabbit Test (1978)? Yeah, that was him too!

Billy Crystal got his start as a stand-up comic in 1970s New York City, even filming a sketch for the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) back in 1975. Although it didn't make the final cut, his comedic chops were already evident.

He is none other than Billy Crystal, who presented best picture at the Oscars this year with Meg Ryan, his leading lady in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally....

Fast-forward to the 1980s, and Crystal's star began to rise. He became a regular member of the SNL cast in 1984, hosting twice that year alone! But it was his breakout role as a charming leading man opposite Meg Ryan in the timeless romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989) that cemented his status as Hollywood royalty.

Throughout the 1990s, Billy Crystal continued to rack up memorable roles – from City Slickers and Father's Day to a cameo as one of the gravediggers in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet. And did you know he even directed himself in the dramedy Mr. Saturday Night (1992) about a stand-up comic? Talk about typecasting!

In the 2000s, Crystal lent his voice to the beloved animated franchise Monsters, Inc. (2001), introducing a new generation of fans to his wit and charm. He also continued to host the Oscars, taking on the role nine times between 1990 and 2012 – quite an impressive feat!

He became an A-lister in 1989 by playing opposite Meg in When Harry Met Sally..., which was directed by Rob Reiner from a screenplay by Nora Ephron

Recent years have seen Billy Crystal adapt his own story into a Broadway musical, starring in Mr. Saturday Night (2022). And just this year, he delighted fans by presenting best picture at the Oscars alongside none other than Meg Ryan herself! Talk about a reunion for the ages!

So there you have it – a masterclass in Hollywood evolution and longevity. Whether he's poking fun at himself on stage or charming audiences with his signature wit, Billy Crystal remains an enduring force to be reckoned with. Long may he continue to entertain us all!