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Rob Reiner's 'Lucky' Friendship with Billy Crystal
16 Dec
Summary
- Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal met in 1975, becoming lifelong friends.
- Crystal's improvised line became the biggest laugh in Reiner's career.
- Reiner considered Hanks and Keaton before casting Crystal in a major role.
The enduring friendship between director Rob Reiner and actor Billy Crystal, forged in 1975, has shaped significant moments in cinematic comedy. Despite initial reservations about casting friends in such a personal project, Reiner ultimately enlisted Crystal and Meg Ryan for the iconic 1989 rom-com "When Harry Met Sally." This collaboration yielded one of Reiner's most memorable directorial achievements, including Crystal's unscripted comedic gem that became a legendary movie quote.
Before landing on Crystal, Reiner explored casting other major Hollywood stars, such as Tom Hanks and Michael Keaton, for the role of Harry Burns. However, Crystal's performance not only met but exceeded expectations, with Reiner noting the actor's significant creative contributions. Their professional bond, initially cemented on "All in the Family," also extended to other Reiner films like "This Is Spinal Tap" and "The Princess Bride."
