Joel Grey, star of Cabaret, comes out publicly aged 82
By Nick Bond
Broadway and film actor Joel Grey, best known to most audiences for his stunning portrayal of the MC in Bob Fosse’s 1972 film adaptation of Cabaret, has publicly spoken about his sexuality for the first time.
The 82-year-old actor, who in recent years has appeared on TV shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters and House, made the revelation in the latest issue of People Magazine.
“I don’t like labels, but if you have to put a label on it, I’m a gay man,” Grey tells People.
“All the people close to me have known for years who I am, [Yet] it took time to embrace that other part of who I always was.”
Grey was married to actress Jo Wilder for 24 years before the couple divorced in 1982. They had two children together: a son, James, and a daughter, the actress Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing).
Jennifer also spoke to People about her father’s late-life decision to come out publicly:
“I feel very happy for my dad that he has come to a point in his life where he feels safe and comfortable enough to declare himself in a public way as a gay man. Mostly because the more people are free to own their true nature and can hopefully come closer to love and accept themselves as they really are, no matter what age, no matter how long it takes, to finally be free of the lies or half truths, it is freedom,” she said.
Grey’s star turn as the comic, menacing Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret kick-started his career and earned him a slew of awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.