**Joel Grey** (born Joel David Katz, 1932) is an American actor, universally recognized for his charismatic portrayal of the Master of Ceremonies in the musical film **"Cabaret"** (1972). For this iconic role, which he had already successfully performed on Broadway, Grey won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

His performance in "Cabaret" is emblematic of his style: a magnetic and ambiguous stage presence, often unsettling, that blends burlesque with a profound melancholy. Although "Cabaret" is his most celebrated role, Grey appeared in other significant films, including **"Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins"** (1985) as Master Chiun, **"Kafka"** (1991) by Steven Soderbergh, and **"Dancer in the Dark"** (2000) by Lars von Trier. His characters are often eccentric, with a theatrical flair and a marked psychological depth.