Billy Crystal says sharing a common goal led to a 54-year marriage to an “extraordinary” woman

Billy Crystal revealed the secrets of his decades-long marriage to his wife Janice.

The 76-year-old actor and the 75-year-old producer, who share daughters Jennifer, 51, and Lindsay, 46, are married 54 years after meeting as teenagers.

Crystal, executive producer and star of the new Apple+ series “Before,” recently sat down for an interview with his co-star Jacobi Jupe. During the interview with Fox News Digital, Crystal discussed the key qualities and shared goals that have made his marriage strong over the years.

“Humor and trust and constant interest in what each of us is doing and respect for our own lives and who we are,” the “Harry and Sally” star said.

Billy Crystal posts a recap of When Harry Met Sally to celebrate his 75th birthday

“But our common goal was always just to create a beautiful family, which we have and continue to do,” he added. “And just respect each other. And she is an extraordinary person.”

Read more on the Fox News app

“I’m lucky,” he added. “I was 18. She was 17. And here we are still.”

Crystal and Janice met in 1966 when the comedian was working at a summer camp in Long Beach, New York, after his freshman year at Marshall University in West Virginia.

“This girl comes along… and I said, 'I'm going to marry her.' And I did that four years later,” Crystal said on People magazine's “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast.

The six-time Emmy winner transferred to Nassau Community College on Long Island as a sophomore because he wanted to live closer to Janice.

“I loved her so much right away,” Crystal said. “You know, I don’t know if you’ve ever had a long-distance relationship – it doesn’t work out.”

The couple tied the knot in June 1970 and later welcomed Jennifer and Lindsay.

During a recent interview with People magazine, Crystal reflected on how his life changed after becoming a parent.

“Oh, kids change everything,” he said. “When I became a father for the first time in 1973, Janice was working and I started my career as a stand-up at night. So during the day I was 'Mr. Mom' and that completely changed my life.” .

“The responsibility of being a 25-year-old with a toddler who can't get through the day without you,” Crystal continued. “When you learn that you can love something much more than yourself, that was the greatest experience in my life as a human being.

“The greatest effort of my life is leaving the world with two wonderful daughters – now grown women, mothers themselves,” he explained. “And that they then teach their children, our four grandchildren, what responsibility means in our ever-changing world.”

After beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, Crystal starred in the television sitcom Soap during the show's four seasons from 1977 to 1981. His first film role was in Joan Rivers' comedy “Rabbit Test” in 1978.

After Crystal appeared in Rob Reiner's 1984 rockumentary This is Spinal Tap, the director later cast him as a supporting character in the 1987 romantic fantasy comedy The Princess Bride.

Crystal starred in “Running Scared” in 1986 and “Throw Momma From the Train” in 1987. However, the actor gained rapid fame when Reiner hired him for the successful romantic comedy “Harry and Sally” in 1989.

Throughout his career, Crystal became known for his leading roles in comedies and television shows. However, the actor's latest series, Before, is a significant departure from most of his previous projects.

WATCH: BILLY CRYSTAL HAS A COMMON GOAL THAT LEFT TO A 54-YEAR MARRIAGE WITH AN 'EXTRAORDINARY' WIFE

According to a series plot synopsis, the series follows Eli (Crystal), a child psychiatrist who, after recently losing his wife Lynn (Judith Light), encounters a troubled little boy named Noah (Jupe) who appears to be suffering from a haunting illness Connection to Eli's past.

“As Eli tries to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens, triggering haunting memories and unearthing disturbing secrets about the past.”

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Crystal opened up about the challenges he faced in tackling the role.

“The whole thing is a challenge,” said the nine-time Oscar presenter. “Every second of this character is a challenge. “I've never played a character who is under so much stress, fear and sadness and is filled with his own fears and aspirations – as a kind of detective trying to solve the mystery.” Jacobi's character introduces himself to him.

“It’s exciting to get the chance to do this.”

During his interview with Fox News Digital, Crystal also recalled the one role he regretted turning down. The actor turned down the role of astronaut action figure Buzz Lightyear in the 1995 Pixar animated film “Toy Story.” Directed by John Lasseter, “Toy Story” became a megahit and spawned a blockbuster film series.

“It wasn't a creative thing at all,” Crystal explained of giving up the role. “It was – it was some sort of business thing that didn't feel right at the time it was introduced.”

“I didn't know it was the first of this type of animated film that Pixar made. I saw the short film and thought it was great. And I met with John, but somehow it didn't work out. And I went, 'Oh, damn.'”

However, Crystal recalled that he was all in when Lasseter later approached him with an offer to star in another animated Pixar film.

WATCH: BILLY CRYSTAL ON THE CHALLENGES OF PLAYING AN ANXIOUS CHARACTER IN THE NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER SHOW BEFORE

“Two years later he calls me and says, 'Listen, I have something.' And I said, 'Whatever it is, yeah,'” Crystal recalls.

Do you like what you're reading? Click here for more entertainment news

“And he said, ‘No, really, I want to talk to you. I want to give you something and I want you to see what we're thinking about,'” he continued. “I said, 'Well, you know, when would you like to meet?' And he said, 'I'm in the lobby of your building. I'll be right up there.' And then it was Mike Wazowski. So it had a happy ending.

Crystal portrayed the role of the goofy monster Mike Wazowski in the 2001 animated film “Monsters, Inc.,” which grossed $577 million worldwide and also led to a franchise.

The actor reprized his role in the shorts “Mike's New Car” and “Party Central” as well as the 2013 sequel “Monsters University.”

Crystal's “Before” co-star Jupe is a child actor who recently appeared alongside Jude Law in the Disney+ live-action film “Peter Pan and Wendy.” Jupe also had roles in the Epix series Brittania and the PBS miniseries Tom Jones.

During a conversation with Fox News Digital, Justus shared his thoughts on what he learned from working with Crystal.

Click here to sign up for the entertainment newsletter

“Billy taught me a lot of things during the time I worked with him,” Justus said. “I honestly think one of those things would probably be to always try – we always try to have fun in between takes and stressful scenes.”

Justus, 11, explained that it was “good” to create a fun atmosphere on set so that the cast and crew weren't “always so depressed.”

WATCH: BILLY CRYSTAL REGRETS TURNING DOWN THE ROLE OF BUZZ LIGHTYEAR IN THE ORIGINAL TOY STORY

Justus also thought about the message he wants audiences to take away from watching “Before.”

“I want them to realize that maybe there is life before life,” he said. “Sometimes you have to try and try again. Just do it. You have something. Just keep doing it. Keep going. Because everything is possible.”

“Before” will premiere on Apple TV+ on October 25th.

Original source of the article: Billy Crystal says sharing a common goal led to a 54-year marriage to an “extraordinary” woman