How Billy Crystal learned to imitate Sammy Davis, Jr.
On May 10, 2016, director Sam Pollard interviewed Billy Crystal about his admiration for and working relationship with Sammy Davis, Jr., who he would later impersonate on Saturday Night Live. Interview conducted for Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me (2019).
Chapters:
00:00 – Crystal’s first magical encounters with Sammy Davis, Jr.
03:56 – His first gig opening for Davis in Lake Tahoe
09:23 – Forming an impression of a storied impressionist
11:20 – Davis impersonates Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, and Frank Sinatra
13:05 – Crystal and Davis pranking each other during their Tahoe run
15:22 – Debuting his Sammy Davis, Jr. impression on Saturday Night Live
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