Billy Crystal Says Loss of Home and Friend Has Eroded His Faith

Billy Crystal has shared that he no longer trusts God following a period of profound loss, including the destruction of his Pacific Palisades home of 46 years and the death of his close friend Rob Reiner.

During an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, the 78-year-old comedian expressed a significant shift in his relationship with his faith. When asked if he had been speaking with God after these devastating events, Crystal responded, "No, 'cause I don't trust Him."

He elaborated on his sentiment, stating, "Too many bad things have happened. The Earth is in bad shape. This is a weird, scary time. So no, not anymore."

Crystal's longtime residence, where he and his wife Janice raised their children and grandchildren, was destroyed in the Palisades fire. Reflecting on the loss at a benefit concert weeks after the disaster, Crystal described his emotional reaction upon seeing the remains of his home. "I stepped onto the grounds and fell to my knees and I wailed," he recalled, comparing the pain to learning of his father's death at age 15.

"And now folks, I'm 76-years-old, without a mirror and a lot less life to ponder thinking, ‘What is my life going to be like without our home?’" Crystal said at the time.

The loss of his home inspired Crystal's new Broadway show, "860," named after the street address. The production delves into his family, career, memories, and grief, recreating his home office on stage.

The show also addresses the death of Rob Reiner, who was killed with his wife, Michele, in December 2025. Crystal mentioned he had been with Reiner at a holiday party the night before their deaths.

Crystal noted that humor has been a coping mechanism through these difficult times. "That’s what I do," he said when asked how he finds levity during dark moments. "It's a healer."

He added that performing "860" has aided him in processing these losses. "I’ve absorbed the biggest pains that people couldn’t go through — the loss of home, dearest of friends," he stated. "And I’m OK."

Crystal, known for his extensive career in comedy and acting, has often explored themes of family and memory in his work, including his one-man show "700 Sundays."