Joel Grey parents: Meet Mickey Katz & Goldie Epstein

Joel Grey’s parents: Meet Mickey Katz and Goldie Epstein – Joel Grey, an American actor, singer, dancer, photographer, and theatrical director, was born on April 11, 1932, to Goldie “Grace” Epstein and Mickey Katz.

• Mickey Katz

Meyer Myron “Mickey” Katz, Joel’s father, was an American singer and comedian.

Mickey got a job playing clarinet and sax for Phil Spitalny right out of high school and went on tour with his band.

Following the tour, Mickey joined Doc Whipple’s big band at the Golden Pheasant Chinese Restaurant for nearly a year before leaving to join Angelo Vitale’s band at the Park Theater.

Mickey was a creator of traditional klezmer music and his songs have been compiled onto CDs, including Mish Mosh, The Most Mishige, Mickey Katz Greatest Shticks, and Simcha Time: Music for Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, and Brisses.

Mickey was born on June 15, 1909, and died on April 30, 1985, of kidney failure in Los Angeles at age 75.

• Goldie Epstein

Joel’s mother was Jewish and apart from her religious affiliation, there’s no further information about her.

Source: abtc.ng