Joel Grey
Biography
Joel Grey is an American stage and screen actor, singer, and dancer who was born on April 11, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Also known by the name Joel David Katz, he is recognized for his acting work with 112 known credits on the Movie Database. He is best known for his role as the Master of Ceremonies in both the stage and film adaptations of the Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret. Throughout his career, he has won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award. In addition to these accomplishments, he originated the role of the Wizard in the acclaimed musical Wicked.
Career overview
Joel Grey is an American stage and screen actor, singer, and dancer who was born on April 11, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio. Also known as Joel David Katz, he has established a notable career in both film and television, with a known credit count of 112 in acting. He is best known for his role as the Master of Ceremonies in both the stage and film adaptations of the Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret. In addition to this iconic role, he originated the role of the Wizard in the acclaimed musical Wicked.
Throughout his career, Grey has earned significant recognition for his performances, winning an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award. His extensive work across stage and screen is documented through numerous acting credits on the Movie Database, reflecting his enduring presence in the entertainment industry as a versatile performer.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
121 titles- Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (2025) as Self
- Being Mary Tyler Moore (2023) as Self (voice)
- The Old Man (2022) as Morgan Bote
- tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) as "Sunday" Legend #4
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- It Takes a Lunatic (2019) as Self
- On Broadway (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles (2019) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Trailblazer Honors (2014) as Self - Presenter
- Private Screenings: Robert Osborne (2014) as Self
- Cabaret: The Musical That Changed Musicals (2013) as Self
- Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy (2013) as Narrator
- Warehouse 13 (2009) as Monty the Magnificent
- Nurse Jackie (2009) as Dick Bobbitt
- Choke (2008) as Phil
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History (2008) as Self
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1920s: The Dawn of the Hollywood Musical (2008) as Self
- Phineas and Ferb (2007) as Beppo (voice)
- Private Practice (2007) as Dr. Alexander Ball
- Drama, Tanz und Beine (2007) as Narrator
- Brothers and Sisters (2006) as Dr. Jude Bar-Shalo
- Chicago: The Musical (2006)
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Dr. Singer
- House (2004) as Ezra Powell
- Broadway: The American Musical (2004) as Self
- Broadway's Lost Treasures (2003) as Host (segment "Leading Men") / Emcee (segment "Cabaret")
- 111 Gramercy Park (2003) as Hornsby
- Short Cuts (2002) as Tom McQuilten
- The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family' (2002) as Self
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Milton Winters
- Crossing Jordan (2001) as Carl Meisner
- Alias (2001) as Another Mr. Sloane
- Further Tales of the City (2001) as Guido
- On the Edge (2001) as Dr. Mensley (segment "Reaching Normal")
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Hank Kasserman
- Dancer in the Dark (2000) as Oldrich Novy
- The Fantasticks (2000) as Amos Bellamy
- A Christmas Carol (1999) as Ghost of Christmas Past
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) as Doc
- The Music of Kander & Ebb: Razzle Dazzle (1997) as Self
- The Empty Mirror (1996)
- My Friend Joe (1996) as Simon
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995) as Caylem
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Dr. Nathan Seward
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Gideon Banks
- The Dangerous (1995) as Flea
- Venus Rising (1995) as Jimmie
- The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True (1995) as Professor Marvel / The Gatekeeper / The Carriage Driver / The Palace Guard / The Wizard of Oz
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Ronald
- Blue Heelers (1993)
- The Music of Chance (1993) as Willy Stone
- The Player (1992) as Joel Grey
- Robert Altman's Players (1992) as Self
- Brooklyn Bridge (1991)
- Kafka (1991) as Burgel
- Marilyn and Me (1991) as Johnny Hyde
- Night of 100 Stars III (1990) as Self
- Cabaret (1988) as The Emcee
- Queenie (1987) as Aaron Diamond
- Witnesses to the Holocaust: The Trial of Adolf Eichmann (1987) as Narrator
- Witnesses to the Holocaust: The Trial of Adolf Eichmann (1987) Director
- Matlock (1986) as Tommy DeLuca
- Christmas at Radio City Music Hall (1986) as Self - Host
- Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) as Chiun
- The Compleat Gilbert & Sullivan (1984) as Jack Point
- The Yeomen of the Guard (1982) as Jack Point
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Charlie Chaplin: The Little Tramp (1980) as Self - Host
- CBS News Sunday Morning (1979) as Self
- Dallas (1978) as Adam
- Alice (1976)
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) as Joel Grey
- Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976) as The Producer (Nate Salisbury)
- The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976) as Lowenstein
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Flick Flack (1974)
- Man on a Swing (1974) as Franklin Wills
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974) as Joshua Trundle (voice)
- Don't Call Me Mama Anymore (1973)
- The Julie Andrews Hour (1972) as Self
- Cabaret (1972) as Master of Ceremonies
- The Recreation of an Era (1972) as Self
- Man on a String (1972) as Big Joe Brown
- The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971)
- Night Gallery (1970) as Andrew MacBane
- George M! (1970) as George M. Cohan
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Ironside (1967) as Mike Yeager
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest / Various Characters
- What a Way to Go! (1964) as Patron (uncredited)
- Vacation Playhouse (1963) as Freddy Rockefeller
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- Come September (1961) as Beagle
- Surfside 6 (1960) as Willy
- Lawman (1958) as Owny O'Reilly
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Joey Kellogg
- Bronco (1958)
- Maverick (1957) as Billy The Kid
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- Calypso Heat Wave (1957)
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Winner / Performer
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Performer
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement Recipient
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - rehearsing for 'Jack and the Beanstalk'
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Telephone Time (1956)
- December Bride (1954)
- December Bride (1954) as Jimmy
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- About Face (1952) as Bender
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Panelist
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Winner
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Joel Grey best known for?
Joel Grey is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Old Man (2022), tick, tick... BOOM! (2021), Stars in the House (2020), Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014).
When and where was Joel Grey born?
Joel Grey was born on April 11, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
How many credits does Joel Grey have?
Joel Grey has accumulated over 121 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2025.
What is Joel Grey's background in cinema and television?
Joel Grey is an American stage and screen actor, singer, and dancer who was born on April 11, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Also known by the name Joel David Katz, he is recognized for his acting work with 112 known credits on the Movie Database. He is best known for his role as the Master of Ceremonies in both the st...
Joel Grey by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) as Joel Grey — aged about 44
- House (2004) as Ezra Powell — aged about 72
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Dr. Singer — aged about 73
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) as Doc — aged about 65
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star — aged about 44
- Phineas and Ferb (2007) as Beppo (voice) — aged about 75
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