Joel Grey

American actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer

Joel Grey (born Joel David Katz; April 11, 1932) is an American actor, singer, dancer, and photographer.

Joel Grey
Grey in 2014
Born
Joel David Katz

(1932-04-11) April 11, 1932 (age 92)
Occupation(s)Actor, dancer, singer, photographer
Years active1951–present
Spouse(s)Jo Wilder
(m. 1958–1982; divorced)
ChildrenJennifer Grey
James Katz
Parent(s)Mickey Katz
Goldie (née Epstein)

Early life

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Gray was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Goldie Epstein and to Mickey Katz. He studied at the Cleveland Play House and at Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, California.

Career

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Grey played the role of the Master of Ceremonies in the Broadway musical Cabaret in 1966 for which he won the Tony Award. Grey won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in March 1973 for his performance in the same role in the 1972 film version of Cabaret.[1] He also won the Golden Globe Award.[2] Grey had many other successful performances as an actor.

Gray is also a published photographer, with books Pictures I Had to Take 2003; its follow-up, Looking Hard at Unexpected Things 2006.[3] His third book, 1.3 – Images from My Phone, a book of photographs taken with his camera phone, was published in 2009.[4] An exhibit of his work was held in April 2011 at the Museum of the City of New York, titled "Joel Grey/A New York Life."[5]

Personal life

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In 1958, Grey married Jo Wilder; they divorced in 1982. Together, they had two children: actress Jennifer Grey and chef James.[2][6]

In January 2015, Grey talked about his sexuality in an interview with People, stating: "I don't like labels, but if you have to put a label on it, I'm a gay man".[7]

References

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  1. Internet Movie Database listing, Awards imdb.com, retrieved December 21, 2009
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Joel Grey Biography (1932-)". Film Reference. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  3. Joel Grey Looking Hard at Unexamined Things. Joel Grey Photographer.
  4. Samelson, Judy.SHELF LIFE: "American Theatre Reader," Photos by Joel Grey, New Looks at Bernstein and Horne playbill.com, May 30, 2009
  5. ""Joel Grey/A New York Life" Exhibition Will Open at Museum of the City of New York in April".
  6. Laufenberg, Norbert B.Entertainment Celebrities , p. 274 google books, "Entertainment Celebrities", Trafford Publishing, 2005
  7. http://www.people.com/article/joey-grey-comes-out-gay-cabaret[permanent dead link]

Other websites

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  Media related to Joel Grey at Wikimedia Commons