Joel G., in for the long haul!

 Joel David Katz

was born in Cleveland in 1932.

His father was Mickey Katz, 

an actor/comedian/musician, who wrote and recorded

klezmer, jazz and parody songs

(interesting note: Mickey and his band can be seen

in the movie Thoroughly Modern Millie, 

playing in the Jewish wedding scenes).

Meanwhile, back to Joel...
Children's theatrical productions in Cleveland 

started Joel off, 

followed by television and film roles in the 1950s,

like The Colgate Comedy Hour, The Ann Sothern Show 

(above, with Ann and Don Porter)

and Come September.

His big break came in 1966,

when he starred in Cabaret (both the stage and movie versions)

as The Master Of Ceremonies,

a role that brought him both a Tony AND an Oscar.

Before that...stage work in Come Blow Your Horn (1961)

, Stop The World - I Want To Get Off (1962)

and Half A Sixpence (1965) brought him to the eye of Bob Fosse.

 George M!, 1969,

was generally panned,

but Joel came out "smelling like roses" 

as far as the critics were concerned.

Above, with Judy Garland,

and below, as "The Man Who Owned Broadway".

 A publicity shot from George M!

on his hometown's "TV Guide"

with his co-star in the show, Bernadette Peters.

Liza and Joel

picking up their Oscars in 1973

for their work in the film version of Cabaret.

Above, Joel in The Grand Tour,

a Jerry Herman flop from 1979.

Despite the short run,

Joel still garnered a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for his work.

 Above, Joel as The Wizard of Oz,

and Kristen Chenoweth as Galinda,

in Wicked, 2003.

At the age of 80, 

Joel took on the role of Moon Face Martin

in the revival of Anything Goes,

with Sutton Foster.

He's continued to do tons of television appearances

and films throughout his 65 years of performing! 

 

 Joel will be 86 years old, come this April!

 His 2nd career seems to be photography,

with 4 books of pics

and an exhibition (or 7!) to his name.