Jennifer Grey, best known for her role as “Baby” in the classic film Dirty Dancing, was expected to see her career skyrocket after the movie’s release. Instead, a tragic event changed everything, leading her to step away from the film industry for years.
Now 64, Grey has recently opened up about the life-altering incident that left her deeply affected. Despite Dirty Dancing being a low-budget film with no major stars or directors, its premiere in August 1987 marked a turning point.
The cast and crew sensed they had created something special, and Patrick Swayze quickly found fame, becoming a teen idol and starring in hits like Ghost and Donnie Darko.
In contrast, Jennifer Grey faced personal turmoil. Just before the film’s release, she and her then-boyfriend, Matthew Broderick, were involved in a devastating car accident in Ireland, which claimed the lives of a mother and her daughter. While Grey escaped with minor injuries, she was haunted by survivor’s guilt.
Although Dirty Dancing became a massive success, Grey found it hard to celebrate her newfound fame amidst her grief. She expressed that it felt wrong to be celebrated at such a painful time, stating: “It didn’t feel good to be the toast of the town”. The trauma from the accident lingered, affecting her ambitions and mental well-being.
After years away from the spotlight, Grey made a brief return in a Friends episode in 1995, but she had also undergone plastic surgery, drastically altering her appearance. She later described this experience as entering the operating room a celebrity and leaving feeling anonymous, referring to it as “the worst nose job ever”.
By 2010, Grey began to reclaim her place in Hollywood, winning Dancing with the Stars and enjoying the renewed appreciation of fans. She reflected on her journey, saying: “This is like having a delicious steak after 23 years on a diet”.
In 2018, she continued to work on new projects, including the comedy Red Oaks and the film Untogether. It’s heartening to see Jennifer Grey rediscover her joy and passion for acting.
Who else feels nostalgic for the magic of Dirty Dancing?