How long did David Steinberg and Billy Crystal work together? Actor pens heartfelt tribute for his friend and manager in the wake of his passing at 81

Billy Crystal is mourning the loss of his late manager, David Steinberg.

According to Deadline, Steinberg, who also served as the manager of Robin Williams, succumbed to cancer on August 16 at the age of 81. Two days later, Crystal penned an online obituary for his friend, whom he had worked with for over four decades, on The Hollywood Reporter.

"For 48 years, this hilarious, outrageous (and pardon me, David), sensitive man who never wore socks was my manager, confidant, friend and ultimately family member," he wrote.

The pair began working together in 1977, when Billy Crystal hired David Steinberg to "do his publicity when he started on Soap."

Billy Crystal says it "really stinks" that not everyone knew his late friend, David Steinberg: Read more

According to Deadline, David Steiberg began his career in public relations, having represented Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Sellers, and James Coburn. He eventually shifted into a managerial role, where he joined Larry Brezner and Buddy Morra at Rollins & Joffe, a firm where they were partners.

He also penned material that would earn eight Oscar telecasts, all of which featured Billy Crystal as its host, save for his first one in 1990.

Furthermore, he served as the executive producer on several noteworthy comedy films like Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met (1986), An Evening with Sammy Davis, Jr. & Jerry Lewis (1988), Billy Crystal: Don’t Get Me Started (1986), I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood (1989), Robin Williams Live on Broadway (2002), Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction (2009) and Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays (2014).

"He was a natural fit and soon was sharing the workload for not only my career but also for my great friend Robin Williams," Crystal wrote in his online obituary. "He was so sharp and quick."

In his heartfelt tribute, he also acknowledged the bond the late manager had with his wife, Janice, and their two girls:

"For Janice and I, he was a trusted relative. To my daughters, he was a beloved uncle. His talents were enviable to our fellow artists. No manager had the “chops” that Steinberg had," Billy Crystal added. "Today there are management firms with big staffs and divisions for personal appearances, books, movies, social media, etc. David, to his last days, was a one-man band. He learned every day how to keep up with the new demands of the business even though he never quite mastered how to use his cell phone."

Towards the end, he wrote of his late friend:

"There are countless stories and anecdotes I could choose from to end this, but I decided to paraphrase what the great writer John O’Hara said about his friend George Gershwin upon his passing. “George Gershwin died on July 11, 1937, but I don’t have to believe it if I don’t want to.” David Steinberg, my manager my friend, died on Aug. 16, 2025, but I don’t have to believe it if I don’t want to.” Reader, I’m sorry if you never got to meet him or know him, and to those of you who did … well, all you can say is this really stinks."

Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center, also echoed the sentiments when he lauded David Steinberg's ability to helm comedic talents, noting that he "was one of those rare champions who knew how to clear a path for genius. Ed Driscoll, a fellow comedian, also mourned the loss of talent.

David Steinberg now leaves behind his wife, actress Brynn Thayer, son, Mason, and daughter-in-law, Melisa Steinberg, grandchild, Owen, sister, Sari, and goddaughter, Molly.

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