Billy Crystal, the veteran comedian and actor, has publicly stated he no longer trusts God following a devastating year marked by personal tragedy and loss.
In a recent interview, the 78-year-old entertainer spoke candidly about how the destruction of his longtime Pacific Palisades home in the January 2025 wildfires and the death of his close friend Rob Reiner have profoundly affected his faith. When asked whether he had been speaking with God after these painful losses, Crystal offered a stark and unequivable response.
“No, because I do not trust Him,” Crystal said. “Too many bad things have happened. The Earth is in bad shape. This is a weird, scary time. So no, not anymore.”
The response stands in sharp contrast to Crystal’s previous work, including his one-man show “700 Sundays,” in which he described conversations with God. That the comedian would now express such profound disillusionment speaks to the depth of his recent suffering.
Crystal and his wife, Janice, lost their home of 46 years to the Palisades fire. The couple had raised their children and grandchildren in the residence, which Crystal described as a “magical place.” Speaking at a benefit concert weeks after the disaster, Crystal recounted the moment he first visited the remains of his property.
“When we were finally able to get back to our house in the Palisades, which I lived in for 46 years, like thousands of you, our house now looked like this,” Crystal said, as an image of the destruction appeared on screen behind him.
“I stepped onto the grounds and fell to my knees and I wailed. I had not cried like that since I was 15 years old, and I was told that my father had just died. I remember looking in the mirror back then with my whole life ahead of me thinking, ‘What is my life going to be like without him?'” Crystal continued.
“And now folks, I am 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?'”
The loss has become the central theme of Crystal’s new Broadway show, “860,” named after the street address of his destroyed home. The production recreates his home office onstage and explores his family, career, memories, and grief in what promises to be an intensely personal performance.
The show also reflects on the loss of Rob Reiner, the acclaimed director and producer who, along with his wife Michele, was killed in December 2025. The tragic deaths of the Reiners represent another profound blow to Crystal, who counted the director as a close friend.
Crystal’s willingness to speak openly about his crisis of faith demonstrates a raw honesty that many Americans may find relatable during these uncertain times. Whether one shares his conclusions or not, his struggle represents a genuine grappling with questions of theodicy and divine providence that have confronted believers throughout human history.
The comedian’s journey through grief and doubt will unfold further in “860,” which offers audiences an intimate look at how one man processes extraordinary loss.
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