Joel Grey

Joel Grey
April 11, 1932
Cleveland, Ohio

This triple Aries has made his name in three venues: stage, screen and television.

'I love being in a show. I love the community aspect of it. I like the discipline of it, too.'

Joel Grey's Tarot Reading

Joel David Katz was born in 1932 to Grace and Mickey Katz. His father was a comedian and a member of the Spike Jones Orchestra. Joel made his theatrical debut at the Cleveland Playhouse in 1941 as a cast member of On Borrowed Time. He went on to become one of only a handful of actors to receive a Tony Award and an Academy Award for playing the same part on Broadway and in a film. In 1967 he played the Emcee in the stage production of Cabaret, winning a Tony as Best Supporting or Featured Actor in a Musical and in 1972 reprised the role (opposite Liza Minelli) for an Oscar in the film version. He also won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for the role. He continued on Broadway with parts in Come Blow Your Horn (1961), Stop the World -- I Want to Get Off (1962) and Half a Sixpence (1965). In 1969 he received a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of George M. Cohan in George M. In 1975 and 1979 he received Best Actor Tony nominations for Goodtime Charley and The Grand Tour. By 2004 he was still wowing 'em on Broadway with his portrayal of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in Wicked. Says Joel, 'I think there's nothing like live theater. Everyone wants to be part of it. So why not try it.'

His first film role was in About Face (1953) followed by Calypso Heat Wave (1957), Come September (1961) and Man on a Swing (1974). In 1976 he appeared in History Lesson and The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. In 1985 he played the part of a sardonic old Korean martial arts master in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for this role. Next came parts in Kafka (1991), Venus Rising (1995), My Friend Joe (1996), The Empty Mirror (1996), Reaching Normal (1999), Dancer in the Dark (2000) with singer Bjork and The Fantasticks (2000).

During those same years he has established himself just as solidly on television. Between 1957 and 2007 he has appeared in many shows including 'December Bride,' 'Little Women,' 'Maverick,' 'Surfside 6,' 'Westinghouse Playhouse,' '77 Sunset Strip,' 'The Carol Burnett Show,' 'What's My Line?,' 'Ironside,' 'Night Gallery,' 'Witness to the Holocaust,' 'the Trial of Adolph Eichmann,' 'Marilyn and Me,' 'Matlock' and 'Dallas.' In 1993 he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Jacob in 'Brooklyn Bridge.' In 2001 he was Guido on the hit mini-series, Armistead Maupin's San Francisco-based 'Further Tales of the City.' He has appeared in episodes of 'Star Trek: Voyager,' 'The Outer Limits,' 'Touched by an Angel,' 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent,' 'Crossing Jordan' and 'Oz.' Because of his resemblance to actor Ron Rifkin who plays double-agent and super-bad-guy Arvin Sloan on spy thriller 'Alias,' in 2005 Joel played the part of Arvin Clone -- a man brainwashed into thinking he actually was Sloan. In 2006 he played Ezra Powell in an episode of 'House' and appeared in 2007 as Dr. Jude Bar-Shalom in 'Brothers and Sisters.'

Joel has also put out several albums, including Songs My Father Taught Me, a collection of Jewish folk songs he heard as a child, as well as the soundtracks from Cabaret, Chicago and Goodtime Charlie. More of a surprise is Black Sheep Boy, an album of cover songs including 'If I Were A Carpenter,' 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle,' 'Both Sides Now,' 'She's Leaving Home,' 'Black Sheep Boy,' 'Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da' and 'Wilkommen.' An accomplished photographer, he has published two books. Pictures I Had to Take came out in 2003 and Looking Hard at Unexpected Things in 2006.

Sun in Aries means he believes in the power of positive action and thinks of himself as a strong person. He loathes being ill or in any position of dependency. Accepting his own human limitations and emotional needs is often difficult for him. He is enthusiastic, direct and assertive. He believes in being totally honest and true to himself and his own convictions. Personal honor and authenticity are his guidelines. He craves the freedom to do things in his own way and works very well independently. Sun conjunct Mercury/Uranus suggests he may be a bit high-strung and over-zealous in the pursuit of his endeavors. He always seems to be in a hurry. He has a brilliant mind with the ability to evaluate situations quickly.

Mercury in Aries makes him outspoken and direct. Always eager to express his ideas and opinions, he doesn't mind going against conventional wisdom or stirring up a little debate. He has innovative ideas and much interest in anything new but once the novelty has worn off, he becomes interested in another new idea. He is very honest, speaking decisively and convincingly about things he believes in. However, he may be a little deficient in tact. Mercury conjunct Uranus reiterates he is an independent and original thinker, excited by new ideas and discoveries. His mind functions in an intuitive fashion and sudden insights often come to him out of the blue. He grasps ideas very quickly and does well in an open, unpredictable atmosphere where flexibility and quick responses are needed.

Venus in Gemini reveals that in love he is more interested in a person's sense of humor and intelligence than their physique. He likes a partner who is mentally alive and who keeps him guessing. Talking, sharing ideas, going places and learning new things together are very important to his happiness. On June 29, 1958 he married Jo Wilder. They have two children and were divorced in 1982. Their son James Grey is a chef and their daughter Jennifer Grey is an actress (of 1987 cult classic Dirty Dancing fame). Venus sextile Mars reveals he has great rapport with the opposite sex; love, romance and passion are essential to his well-being. Venus trine Saturn tells us that loyalty and security in love are very important to him. He is cautious about giving his heart away but true to the one who does win his love. Casual or superficial relationships don't interest him at all, for love seems to get deeper and richer and more satisfying for him over time.

With Jupiter in Leo, he cannot tolerate pettiness in any form. He has a wonderful sense of drama, an unusual capacity for fun and playfulness and a tendency to embellish. He must live gallantly and fearlessly or he feels he is simply existing and wasting his talents.

'I was born on April 11, 1932 .... But I really don't deal with my self or my life by the numbers. I feel great -- I love my life.'

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