---
name: "Joel Grey"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/joel-grey"
fi1m_id: "joel-grey"
imdb_id: "nm0001297"
tmdb_id: 6748
wikidata_id: "Q316641"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 April 1932"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-02T22:53:00.770202+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Joel Grey

## Identity

Joel Grey

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/joel-grey
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** joel-grey
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001297
- **TMDB ID:** 6748
- **Wikidata ID:** Q316641
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Grey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316641, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001297/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6748

Actor. Born 11 April 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 April 1932, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- **Active:** 1972–present
- **Also known as:** Joel David Katz
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 88 (1), 1990s 74 (3), 2000s 71 (1), 2010s 76 (1), 2020s 72 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Comedy 2, Crime 2, Music 2, Mystery 2, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $105m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Grey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316641, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001297/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6748

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Cabaret*](https://film.one/film/cabaret.md) (88)
- **Apple TV:** [*Dancer in the Dark*](https://film.one/film/dancer-in-the-dark.md) (71)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Joel Grey

> Joel Grey makes song-and-dance polish feel faintly threatening. His Emcee in *Cabaret* remains the clearest reason to seek him out; the smaller screen parts that followed offer less room for that unsettling skill.

Behind the white face of the Emcee in *Cabaret* (1972), Joel Grey makes accomplished entertainment feel unsafe. The song-and-dance skill matters: the menace comes from someone who knows how to keep a crowd entertained. Having originated the role on Broadway in 1966, he brought it to Bob Fosse’s film after years of nightclub work and musical theatre. It remains the performance against which his screen career is measured, though the films that followed have largely offered supporting parts rather than another role of similar size.

Steven Soderbergh’s *Kafka* (1991) casts him as Burgel, a supporting part in a film whose performers are more persuasive than its mystery. The choice makes sense for an actor so associated with unease. We found the film finely lit but disappointingly close to pulp, borrowing the clerk, the Castle and the shadows without earning the dread. Grey’s presence is a reason to be curious about it, but the cast cannot make the story convincing.

*Dancer in the Dark* (2000) gives Grey a cameo as Oldrich Novy in a much more affecting film. His musical-theatre history matters here, in a story about someone for whom songs offer a life beyond suffering. We were moved by the life Selma finds in the songs, even as Lars von Trier’s script made us resist some of the tears it demanded. Björk carries the film, and Grey’s contribution is necessarily small; anyone approaching it principally for him should know that the musical offers little relief from its heroine’s distress.

His screen credits can make the later career look narrower than it was: stage work continued, including Amos Hart in the 1996 revival of *Chicago*. That distinction matters when assessing an actor whose most substantial opportunities have not all been in films. We would still start with *Cabaret*. Check the size of the role before choosing another film on his name alone.

## Biography

Joel Grey (born Joel David Katz) is an American actor, singer and dancer. He is best known for originating the role of the Master of Ceremonies in the stage musical *Cabaret* and reprising it in Bob Fosse's 1972 film adaptation.

Grey made his screen debut in the 1950s and later appeared in films including *Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins* (1985) and *Kafka* (1991), in which he played Burgel. He originated the role of the Wizard in the musical *Wicked* and has also worked in television, photography and theatre direction. He has won an Academy Award, a Tony Award and a Golden Globe Award.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *tick, tick... BOOM!* (2021), Fi1m 72, as "Sunday" Legend #4 — [page](https://film.one/film/tick-tick-boom.md)
- *Dancer in the Dark* (2000), Fi1m 71, as Oldrich Novy — [page](https://film.one/film/dancer-in-the-dark.md)
- *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), Fi1m 80, as Doc — [page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md)
- *The Player* (1992), Fi1m 85, as Joel Grey — [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md)
- *Kafka* (1991), Fi1m 58, as Burgel — [page](https://film.one/film/kafka.md)
- *Cabaret* (1972), Fi1m 88, as Master of Ceremonies — [page](https://film.one/film/cabaret.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Listen to Me Marlon* (2015), Fi1m 76, as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/listen-to-me-marlon.md)

## Complete filmography (73)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Old Man* (2022), series, as Morgan Bote
- *tick, tick... BOOM!* (2021), as "Sunday" Legend #4 — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/tick-tick-boom.md)
- *Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy* (2013), as Narrator
- *Warehouse 13* (2009), series, as Monty the Magnificent
- *Nurse Jackie* (2009), series, as Dick Bobbitt — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/nurse-jackie.md)
- *Choke* (2008), as Phil
- *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Dr. Alexander Ball
- *Phineas and Ferb* (2007), series, as Beppo (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/phineas-and-ferb.md)
- *Drama, Tanz und Beine* (2007), as Narrator
- *Chicago: The Musical* (2006), Actor
- *Brothers and Sisters* (2006), series, as Dr. Jude Bar-Shalo
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Dr. Singer — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *House* (2004), series, as Ezra Powell — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Broadway's Lost Treasures* (2003), as Host (segment "Leading Men") / Emcee (segment "Cabaret")
- *111 Gramercy Park* (2003), as Hornsby
- *Short Cuts* (2002), series, as Tom McQuilten
- *Alias* (2001), series, as Another Mr. Sloane — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Milton Winters
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Carl Meisner
- *On the Edge* (2001), as Dr. Mensley (segment "Reaching Normal")
- *Further Tales of the City* (2001), series, as Guido
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Hank Kasserman
- *The Fantasticks* (2000), as Amos Bellamy
- *Dancer in the Dark* (2000), as Oldrich Novy — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/dancer-in-the-dark.md)
- *A Christmas Carol* (1999), as Ghost of Christmas Past
- *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), series, as Doc — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md)
- *My Friend Joe* (1996), as Simon
- *The Empty Mirror* (1996), Actor
- *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
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Dr. Nathan Seward, Gideon Banks
- *The Dangerous* (1995), as Flea
- *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995), series, as Caylem
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Ronald
- *Blue Heelers* (1993), series, Actor
- *The Music of Chance* (1993), as Willy Stone
- *The Player* (1992), as Joel Grey — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md)
- *Kafka* (1991), as Burgel — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/kafka.md)
- *Marilyn and Me* (1991), as Johnny Hyde
- *Brooklyn Bridge* (1991), series, Actor
- *Cabaret* (1988), as The Emcee
- *Witnesses to the Holocaust: The Trial of Adolf Eichmann* (1987), Narrator, Director
- *Queenie* (1987), series, as Aaron Diamond
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Tommy DeLuca
- *Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins* (1985), as Chiun
- *The Compleat Gilbert & Sullivan* (1984), series, as Jack Point
- *The Yeomen of the Guard* (1982), as Jack Point
- *Dallas* (1978), series, as Adam
- *The Seven-Per-Cent Solution* (1976), as Lowenstein
- *Alice* (1976), series, Actor
- *Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson* (1976), as The Producer (Nate Salisbury)
- *Live from Lincoln Center* (1976), series, as Joel Grey
- *'Twas the Night Before Christmas* (1974), as Joshua Trundle (voice)
- *Man on a Swing* (1974), as Franklin Wills
- *Don't Call Me Mama Anymore* (1973), Actor
- *Man on a String* (1972), as Big Joe Brown
- *Cabaret* (1972), as Master of Ceremonies — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/cabaret.md)
- *The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour* (1971), series, Actor
- *Night Gallery* (1970), series, as Andrew MacBane
- *George M!* (1970), as George M. Cohan
- *Ironside* (1967), series, as Mike Yeager
- *What a Way to Go!* (1964), as Patron (uncredited)
- *Vacation Playhouse* (1963), series, as Freddy Rockefeller
- *Come September* (1961), as Beagle
- *Surfside 6* (1960), series, as Willy
- *77 Sunset Strip* (1958), series, as Joey Kellogg
- *Lawman* (1958), series, as Owny O'Reilly
- *Bronco* (1958), series, Actor
- *Maverick* (1957), series, as Billy The Kid
- *Calypso Heat Wave* (1957), Actor
- *Telephone Time* (1956), series, Actor
- *December Bride* (1954), series, as Jimmy
- *About Face* (1952), as Bender

## Gallery

- ![Joel Grey](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-498dc3a3c524.jpg) Joel Grey — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Joel_Grey_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-329bfca3827c.jpg) Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kanter_%2814405002562%29.jpg/1280px-Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kanter_%2814405002562%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-041ab97c1edb.jpg) Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kanter_2_%2814383195526%29.jpg/1280px-Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kanter_2_%2814383195526%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Horn, Albert Tapper, Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-eb3d4f4c3b39.jpg) David Horn, Albert Tapper, Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/David_Horn_-_Albert_Tapper_-_Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kantor_%2814219678989%29.jpg/1280px-David_Horn_-_Albert_Tapper_-_Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kantor_%2814219678989%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Joel Grey](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-a29be7c025ea.jpg) Joel Grey — Image via TMDB
- ![Joel Grey](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-ffc91aa58164.jpg) Joel Grey — Image via TMDB
- ![David Horn, Albert Tapper, Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-40ec6d34f358.jpg) David Horn, Albert Tapper, Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/David_Horn_-_Albert_Tapper_-_Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kantor_2_%2814219882877%29.jpg/1280px-David_Horn_-_Albert_Tapper_-_Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kantor_2_%2814219882877%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Horn, Albert Tapper, Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/9959/gallery-6c0c86a85c51.jpg) David Horn, Albert Tapper, Barbara Brilliant, Joel Grey and Michael Kantor accept the Award for "Great Performances: Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/David_Horn_-_Albert_Tapper_-_Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kantor_3_%2814383195326%29.jpg/1280px-David_Horn_-_Albert_Tapper_-_Barbara_Brilliant_-_Joel_Grey_-_Michael_Kantor_3_%2814383195326%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won

- 1973: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Cabaret*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 1973: Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles (won), for *Cabaret*

### Golden Globes — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 1985: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (nominated), for *Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins*
- 1972: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (won), for *Cabaret*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1993: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Brooklyn Bridge*

### Other awards — 4 won, 9 nominated

- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play 2011: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play (won)
- Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album 2011: Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 2011: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play 2000: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 1997: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (won)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical 1988: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical 1979: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1979: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical 1975: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1975: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor 1972: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Cabaret*
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1969: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical 1967: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/joel-grey