- One of only 10 actors to have won both a Tony and an Oscar for having portrayed the same role on stage and screen (Cabaret (1972)). The others are Yul Brynner (The King and I (1956)), Shirley Booth (Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)), Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady (1964)), Anne Bancroft (The Miracle Worker (1962)), Paul Scofield (A Man for All Seasons (1966)), Jack Albertson (The Subject Was Roses (1968)), José Ferrer (Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)) and Viola Davis (Fences (2016))..
- He is sometimes confused with actor Ron Rifkin and vice versa. Due to this, Grey guest-starred on Alias (2001) as a man brainwashed into thinking he was the evil terrorist-spy Arvin Sloane, who was played by Rifkin.
- Father-in-law of Clark Gregg.
- He is currently performing in the Broadway musical, "Wicked", playing the part of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. (January 2004)
- He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 6753 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
- Is a serious photographer who has published four books of his work, th latest in 2013. Says he is inspired by the work of Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist and Joseph Cornell.
- Was the first Mystery Guest on the syndicated revival of What's My Line? (1968).
- First appeared on stage at the age of 10.
- Came out as gay in January 2015. The announcement was made in People magazine.
- After having played George M. Cohan in the 1968 Broadway (New York) musical "George M!", he would often be invited to recreate the character by singing several of Cohan's songs at patriotic gatherings.
- New York, NY USA; Starring on Broadway in the musical "Anything Goes." (June 2011)
- Won Broadway's 1967 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for originating the role of the Emcee in "Cabaret," a role he recreated in an Oscar-winning performance in the film version of the same name, Cabaret (1972). He also earned three Tony nominations as Best Actor (Musical): in 1969 for the title role of George M. Cohan in "George M!," in 1975 for "Goodtime Charley," and in 1979 for "The Grand Tour."
- Joel Grey is the eighth of 10 performers who have won the Tony Award and the Oscar for the same role, winning for "Cabaret" (Tony in 1967, Oscar in 1973). Chronologically, the others are Jose Ferrer, Shirley Booth, Yul Brynner, Rex Harrison, Anne Bancroft, Paul Scofield, Jack Albertson, and Viola Davis. All nine won their Tony first, then their Oscar. The 10th, Lila Kedrova, won her Oscar first (1964), then her Tony (1984), for "Zorba, the Greek".
- Sang "Razzle-Dazzle," from the musical "Chicago", when he hosted The Muppet Show (1976). His daughter Jennifer Grey appeared in Dirty Dancing (1987) with Jerry Orbach, who played Billy Flynn in "Chicago" and sang that very song.
- Made his film debut in About Face (1952).
- Played two different characters who asked to be euthanized in two different medical dramas. In the 2009 episode of Private Practice "Nothing to Fear" he played Dr. Alexander Bell, a cancer patient who asked Pete to euthanize him. In the 2006 episode of House M.D. "Informed Consent" he played Ezra Powell, also a cancer patient who asked to be euthanized. Both characters also threatened to commit suicide if their wishes were not fulfilled.
- Is mentioned in Mercury Rev's song, "Lincoln's Eyes".
- Appeared in 2 unrelated movies with similar titles: Man on a String (1972) and Man on a Swing (1974).
- Resided at the Hotel Des Artistes, 1 West 67th Street, in Manhattan, New York.
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