Library Journal Review

In this honest and unflinching autobiography, Tony-, Golden Globe-, and Oscar-winning actor Grey recounts his life and his struggles with his sexuality. Born Joel Katz in Cleveland in 1932, he grew up in a large Jewish family (his father was Mickey Katz, a comedian and musician who specialized in Jewish humor). Grey was bitten by the acting bug early on and appeared in local productions beginning at the age of ten. After his family moved to Hollywood, he worked in motion pictures and eventually went on to achieve his breakthrough role in the original 1966 Broadway production of Cabaret (which he later reprised on film). Grey recounts his colorful childhood, his close but devastating relationship with his devoted but later disapproving mother, and anecdotes about his career. It is his homosexuality, however, that Grey concentrates on, revealing how he dealt with his secret until well after he had married and fathered two children. He publicly came out in 2015. Grey himself provides an engaging narration. VERDICT Fans of celebrity biography will enjoy this well-written memoir.-Phillip Oliver, Vancouver Community Lib., WA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.