Billy Crystal fondly recalls Princess Diana and her infectious laughter during a recent appearance on The View. As he promoted his new series, Before, the acclaimed comedian, 76, shared a humorous memory from the 1989 London premiere of When Harry Met Sally, where he first met the beloved royal.
Crystal described the atmosphere at the premiere, saying, “There we are, sitting together. She’s on my left, and Meg is on her left.” The trio—Crystal, Diana, and director Rob Reiner—settled into their seats just as the movie began, with the trumpets blaring to welcome the audience. Crystal recalled Meg Ryan leaning forward, excitedly remarking, “Do you believe who she is? It’s crazy.”
As the film progressed to its iconic deli scene, where Meg’s character fakes an orgasm to make a point to Crystal’s character, the audience eagerly anticipated Diana’s reaction. Crystal revealed, “The whole audience below us is now looking back to see how the princess is going to react to Meg faking the orgasm.” To his delight, Diana burst into laughter, a moment that Crystal vividly remembered.
He imitated her deep, hearty chuckle and joked, “The kind of laugh that if we were dating, I wouldn’t see her again. ‘Cause I’d go, ‘The laugh. She’s beautiful, but the laugh!’” His anecdotes highlighted the joy and warmth of that memorable evening.
In addition to reminiscing about Diana, Crystal also took the opportunity to discuss his upcoming project, Before, in which he portrays a child psychiatrist aiding a young boy through trauma. He expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It’s something I had been working on for years.” Crystal noted that playing such a complex character was a thrilling experience.
As the conversation shifted back to the contrasts in his work, he humorously remarked, “This is a long way from ‘I’ll have what she’s having,’ and I couldn’t be happier with it.”
Billy Crystal’s Before is set to premiere on October 25 on Apple TV+, showcasing a different side of the comedian’s talents. With his heartfelt memories of Princess Diana and his excitement for his new role, Crystal continues to captivate audiences, both in comedy and drama.
