Crystal to make donation to Long Beach

Actor and Long Beach native Billy Crystal is returning to his hometown on Saturday, where he is expected to announce a large donation to the city. City officials will join Crystal at the event and are expected to make a special presentation to the famous comedian.

“We don’t want to spoil any of the surprises, but it’s going to be a really fun event,” said city spokesman Gordon Tepper, adding that he could not disclose the amount of the donation.

The event will take place at noon on Long Beach Boulevard beach, where Crystal is expected to speak on the recently completed section of the new boardwalk, which is currently undergoing a $44 million rebuild after it was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

“There is going to be a section for people coming to the event, so they won’t have to pay to get on the beach, and it will be a roped off area,” Tepper explained.

Crystal — whose new movie, the animated “Monsters University,” opens in theaters today — last visited the area in December, when he held a special screening of his film “Parental Guidance” at the UA Lynbrook 6 Movie Theater exclusively for more than 1,000 Long Beach residents still reeling from the storm. Crystal toured his hometown the day before the screening and said it was chilling to see, but added he was glad he could do something nice for the people of Long Beach.