Today, you may not think of Billy Crystal as a romantic comedy lead, but at one point he was top of the call sheet as one of Hollywood’s leading men. But he had to wait for his friend Rob Reiner to stop seeing other people. Other actors, to be clear.
In an interview with People, Crystal revealed that despite his close friendship with Reiner, the director didn’t choose him first to play Harry Burns in the 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally.
The actors considered included Tom Hanks, Albert Brooks, and Michael Keaton. That’s a stacked group to compete against, even when you’re friends with the guy making the movie.
Crystal admitted the situation was difficult but understood why Reiner wanted to explore his options.
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“I know he’s seeing other people, which he should do,” Crystal recalled thinking.
Eventually, Reiner called. According to Crystal, the director insisted he’d always known his friend was right for the part, but he needed to consider alternatives. So, when Reiner asked whether he’d read Nora Ephron’s screenplay, Crystal couldn’t resist having a little fun.
“Guess what? I don’t like it,” he joked.
The two burst into laughter, and Crystal quickly explained that he had plenty of ideas for the character. They began working together almost immediately.
That collaboration proved important because, as Crystal explained, Harry was largely based on Reiner himself. Crystal needed his friend to give him enough room to make the character his own.
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Their real-life conversations also made it into the film. Crystal recalled that their late-night phone calls inspired the scene where Harry and Sally watch Casablanca together from separate apartments.
Crystal also contributed to the encounter between Harry and his ex-wife and the immortal line, “I’ll have what she’s having,” delivered by Reiner’s mother, Estelle.
The memories have taken on new meaning since Reiner and his wife, Michele, were killed in December 2025. Crystal has spoken openly about missing his longtime friend.
It’s a reminder that one of Hollywood’s most enduring movies about friendship and love was shaped by a friendship that existed long before the cameras started rolling.
