By The Daily Caller (U.S.) | Created at 2026-10-14 16:56:47 | Updated at 2026-10-16 11:50:20
1 day ago
Billy Crystal admitted that a series of personal tragedies has shaken his faith in God.
The comedian opened up about the devastation of losing his home and a lifetime of memories in the Palisades wildfires, as well as the profound grief he endured following the death of his close friend and longtime colleague, Rob Reiner, during an Oct. 11 interview with CBS Sunday Morning.
When asked whether he still has conversations with God, a topic he had previously referenced on his show, “700 Sundays,” Crystal shook his head and said, “No, because I — I don’t trust him.”
Premiere of “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” - Arrivals
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Billy Crystal attends the premiere of “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on September 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Crystal’s response prompted correspondent Tracy Smith to question whether he was serious about giving up on his faith.
The 78-year-old Hollywood star doubled down on his response by saying, “Yeah. Too many bad things have happened.”
Crystal elaborated, “The Earth is in bad shape, this is a weird, scary time.”
He continued, “So no, not anymore.”
2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival - Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: (L-R) Special Guests Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal at the 2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TCM)
The famous comedian said he lost absolutely everything in the Los Angeles fires.
Soon after, he lost a dear friend.
Crystal and Reiner were longtime friends and colleagues; they worked together on the hit film “When Harry Met Sally.”
Reiner and his wife Michele were killed in their Los Angeles home in December 2025. Crystal recalled grappling with the sudden loss, and noted that it was still too much for him to bear.
Comedy Central/NY Friars Club Roast of Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal on stage during the New York Friar’s Club Roast of Rob Reiner. The roast was presented by Comedy Central. 10/06/2000 (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)
“It’s so insane, because we were together the night before. We said goodbye, like, late that night, 10:30 or something, at the party we were at together for the holidays, and then,” he recalled.
Crystal said he turned to humor and comedy, even in the “darkest of times.”
“That’s what I do,” he said.
“You have to, man. You’ve gotta. It’s a healer. It always has been that way. You know, we say when life gets tough, all you can do is laugh,” the comedian added. (RELATED: REPORT: Nick Reiner Demands Trust Fund Left By Parents Michele, Rob Reiner, While Awaiting Murder Trial)
2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival - Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: (L-R) Special Guests Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal at the 2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TCM)
Crystal’s interview was in promotion of his new one-man Broadway show titled “860.”
He had three ideas, and when he suggested ‘860’ — the street address of the home he lost in the wildfires — to Reiner, his friend immediately approved.
He recalled Reiner’s excitement over that particular show title.
“That’s the one,” he remembered Reiner saying at the time, ” love that. I like that.”
