Billy Crystal on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Billy Crystal is one of the funniest guys in Hollywood, and he loves pickleball. Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube

Jimmy Kimmel praises Billy Crystal's pickleball skills: 'It was just like playing Andre Agassi'

Award-winning actor, comedian and filmmaker Billy Crystal is quite a pickleball player.

Even at age 76.

That was confirmed by TV host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday's episode of ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Shortly after Crystal arrived on stage to chat, a funny conversation about America's fastest-growing sport ensued.


The pair was recently staying at the same hotel for an event, and one of the activities planned for guests was pickleball, so Kimmel went to the courts to get a game going.

Crystal showed up, too, and Kimmel was eager to play with him.

They ended up going head-to-head at some point in a doubles match with a couple of youngsters.

"I've only played pickleball probably five times, but in my head, I feel like I could be really good at it," shared Kimmel. "I also think, 'I've been to Billy's 70th birthday, I know Billy had a 75th birthday, and I'm going to take it easy on Billy here on the pickleball court.' And I hit the ball to you, and you fire it back at me at like 150 mph, and it was just like playing Andre Agassi in pickleball. I'll be honest, it was humiliating."


Kimmel dug a little deeper into Crystal's surprising pickleball skills.

"Did you go to college on a pickleball scholarship?" he asked. "Why are you so good at pickleball?"

"I happen to be a pretty good athlete all of these years," replied Crystal. "I always stay in good shape. I do Pilates three times a week... I stay in very good shape. You have to."

Good for him.


Before, the new psychological thriller starring and executive produced by Crystal, will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 25.