Joel Grey

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Joel Grey at the 1993 Emmy Awards. Photo by Alan Light.

Joel Grey (born Joel Katz on April 11, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American stage and screen actor.

He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1972 for his performance as the Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret. His victory was part of a "Cabaret" sweep, which saw Liza Minnelli win Best Actress and Bob Fosse win Best Director. Grey's and Fosse's victories were surprising considered the juggernaut of that year, The Godfather. Grey beat front-runner Al Pacino for Best Supporting Actor while Fosse beat Francis Ford Coppola for Best Director, a loss Coppola would make up for two years later.

He is one of only seven people who have won both a Tony Award (in 1967) and an Academy Award (Oscar) for the same role.

Has performed at The Muny in St. Louis, MO. many times in roles such as George M. Cohan in George M (1992); Joey Evans in Pal Joey (1983); Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret (1971); George M. Cohan in George M (1970)

He is the father of actress Jennifer Grey, the star of Dirty Dancing, and the son of entertainer Mickey Katz.

Grey appeared frequently as a panelist on the television game show What's My Line? during its 1968 revival. He also played an elderly Korean martial arts master in the movie Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985).

In the 1996 revival of Chicago, Joel played Amos Hart. Joel recently appeared in the Broadway musical Wicked as the Wizard himself, playing opposite Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. He was also one of the first people to guest star on The Muppet Show in its first season, singing "Razzle Dazzle" and "Cabaret".

In 2000 he played Oldrich Novy in the film Dancer in the Dark and had recurring television roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (as Doc, 2001), Oz (as Lemuel Idzik, 2003) and Alias (as Arvin Clone, 2005). Grey played the role of a demon in the final episode of Dallas.

In 2006 he played a patient on a House episode.

Preceded by Ben Johnson for The Last Picture Show	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor 1972 for Cabaret	Succeeded by John Houseman for The Paper Chase