Joel Grey, born as Joel David Katz on 11 April 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio USA, to Goldie ‘Grace’ and Mickey Katz of Jewish descent, is renowned for his role of the Master of Ceremonies in the musical “Cabaret”. Joel Grey has accumulated a net worth of over $10 million, as of mid-2017, through his successful involvement in the entertainment industry.
Growing up, Grey attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, California, and embarked on his acting career at a young age, performing with the Cleveland Play House’s Curtain Pullers children’s theatre program. He gained early recognition with stage appearances in productions such as “Grandmother Slyboots”, “Jack of Tarts”, and “On Borrowed Time”.
His venture into film and television started in the 1950s, with roles in films like “About Face” and “Calypso Heat Wave”, and television series such as “Producers’ Showcase”, “Telephone Time” and “Little Women”. These opportunities significantly contributed to his net worth growth.
In the 1960s, Grey established himself as a Broadway star, featuring in productions like “Come Blow Your Horn”, “Stop the World – I Want to Get Off”, “Half a Sixpence”, and “George M!”, earning his first Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for the latter. However, it was his portrayal of the Master of Ceremonies in the hit Broadway musical “Cabaret” in 1966 that catapulted Grey to instant fame and earned him a Tony Award. His reprised role in the 1972 film adaptation brought him further accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, contributing to a significant increment in his net worth.
Throughout the decades, Grey continued to expand his portfolio with roles in films like “Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins”, “Kafka”, “The Empty Mirror”, and appearances in TV series such as “Dallas” and “Brooklyn Bridge”. His prominence also grew through Broadway productions like “Goodtime Charley” and “The Grand Tour”.
Apart from his acting career, Grey is also an accomplished photographer, having released four books of photographs. In 2016, he penned a memoir titled “Master of Ceremonies”.
In his private life, Grey publicly came out as homosexual in 2015. He was previously married to actress Jo Wilder from 1958 to 1982, and the couple has two children, including actress Jennifer Grey.
Joel Grey’s enduring legacy continues to be celebrated, having been nominated and won several prestigious awards throughout his career.
