Daily News
Billy Crystal to be eighth ever honoree with the Friars Club’s Entertainment Icon Award – Bette Midler Will Roast
By BRIAN NIEMIETZ
The Friar’s Club Roasters: Bette Midler, Marc Shaiman, Robert DeNiro, Meg Ryan, and more…
He’s marvelous.
Funnyman Billy Crystal will be honored with the Friars’ Club Entertainment Icon Award on Nov. 12. The “Mr. Saturday Night” star is the eighth person in the club’s 114-year history to receive the tribute.
Crystal joins club members Douglas Fairbanks, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Tom Cruise, and Tony Bennett as Entertainment Icon Award winners.
Friars Club executive director Michael Gyure looks forward to hosting Crystal at the sure to be
“Billy Crystal embodies the spirit of the Friars,” according to Gyure. “He’s a direct descendant of the movie stars and comedians who built this club. He’s reached the pinnacle of the entertainment industry and stayed there. We’re proud to recognize a great friend and a remarkable career.”
The cocktail bar in the club’s E. 55th St. townhouse was christened The Billy Crystal Room in 1993. One year earlier, Crystal was saluted with a Friars Club Roast hosted by his pal, Rob Reiner.
“What can I say about Billy?” Reiner said at that event. “He’s my best friend. I think sick twisted Jew just about sums it up.”
Crystal got to return the favor in 2000 when Reiner was roasted. Crystal reasoned that Reiner was being celebrated for directing films that make people think.
“They make you think ‘What the hell am I doing here?’” Crystal quipped.
