Crystal Bernard was born in Garland, Texas to Jerry Wayne and Gaylon Bernard. She is the second of four girls the other three being Robyn, Scarlett and Angelique. At the age of three she began traveling with her family across the U.S. performing at churches, tent revivals and gospel jubilees. "The Bernard Trio" as she, her sister Robyn and her father Jerry were known, recorded 17 gospel albums in all. During a live performance with her family Crystal was noticed by singer/songwriter Bobbie Gentry. Gentry asked Crystal and Robyn, who were 14 & 16 at the time to join her Las Vegas show. She studied acting at Houston's Alley Theatre and enrolled in Baylor University at the age of 16. There, Crystal studied drama and international relations. She also spent one summer as an exchange student in London and Paris. Later she decided to roll the dice and try her luck in Hollywood. She was noticed immediately after landing a national Pepsi commercial. Crystal's first feature film was the 1982 comedy "Young Doctors In Lo
ve" directed by Garry Marshall. Later that same year she played Ritchie and Joannie Cunningham's cousin K.C., during the last season of "Happy Days". Her role on that show didn't go unnoticed and brought her to the attention of the producers of "It's A Living". She appeared on that show as a regular during it's 5 year run. In 1990 she landed her 8 year stint in the role of Helen Chappel on the hit NBC series "Wings". Crystal's numerous other TV credits include "The Love Boat", "Gimme A Break", "My Two Dads", "The Master", "Just Shoot Me", "High School U.S.A", "Chameleons", "Miracle Child", "Hot Prospects", "When Will I Be Loved?", "Without Her Consent", "A Matter Of Trust", "Lady Against The Odds", "As Good As Dead", "Dying To Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story", "The Secret Path", "A Face To Kill For" and "To Love, Honor and Betray". Crystal has also appeared in a few feature films including the previously mentioned "Young Doctors In Love", "Slumber Party Massacre II", "Siringo" and "Gideon".
Aside from acting Crystal is also an accomplished singer/songwriter. Her songs have been covered by such artists as Paula Abdul, Lisa Stansfield, Tracie Spencer and Debbie and Angie Winans. Her recording career was mainly limited to demo tapes of her songs which she recorded in her home studio for over a decade. It was after hearing Crystal on one of these demo tapes while looking for songs for his album "One Clear Voice", that Peter Cetera invited her to sing a duet with him entitled "Forever Tonight" which was a top ten pop hit in 1995. The executives at Peter's record company, "River North" were so impressed that they invited Crystal to record an album of her own. Crystal's first solo effort was a country album entitled, "The Girl Next Door". Which produced the three singles "Have We Forgotten What Love Is", "State Of Mind" and "You're Gonna Miss A Whole Lotta Love". Her second album, this one an adult contemporary release is called "Don't Touch Me There".
Crystal's other talents include producing and directing. She produced and directed the video for "Forever Tonight" and now has a video company called "August First Productions" partnered with her friend Steven Monroe. "August First" made the videos for Crystal's songs "Have We Forgotten What Love Is" and "State Of Mind". They have also done videos for other artists including Billy Dean, Ronna Reeves and Steve Azar.
