Jennifer Grey, the actress who famously portrayed “Baby” in the beloved film Dirty Dancing, was expected to see her career soar after the movie’s success. However, life had other plans, and a fateful incident led her to step away from the film industry for good.

At the age of 62, Jennifer Grey has opened up about the traumatic period in her life that changed everything.

Dirty Dancing was a low-budget film without big names or a renowned director, yet everyone involved sensed it was something special when it premiered in August 1987.

Patrick Swayze, Grey’s co-star, became an overnight sensation, quickly earning the status of teen idol and sex symbol, leading to parts in major films like Ghost and Donnie Darko.

In contrast, Jennifer Grey didn’t enjoy the spotlight when Dirty Dancing came out. She seemed to vanish just as swiftly as she had arrived, overshadowed by the whirlwind of events.

For quite some time, she stayed out of the public eye. Yet recently, she shared insights into her life-altering accident through an interview with People Magazine.

Let’s take a closer look at Jennifer Grey’s story leading up to the tragic event in 1987.

Born in New York in 1960, Jennifer began her dance education at an early age. Her father, Joel Grey, was a multifaceted talent in the entertainment world as a director, photographer, dancer, singer, and actor, who likely inspired her to pursue the arts.

Jennifer attended the Dalton School to study acting and dance, later graduating in 1978. She further honed her craft at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater while balancing various jobs, including waitressing, to make ends meet.

Despite the challenges, she landed roles in TV commercials, including one for Dr. Pepper, and made her film debut in 1984’s Reckless. Her major breakthrough arrived with Dirty Dancing, where she starred as Frances “Baby” Houseman.

Tragic Incident

Despite its success, Jennifer couldn’t fully relish the film’s triumph due to a heartbreaking tragedy.

Just before Dirty Dancing’s release in August 1987, Jennifer and her then-boyfriend, Matthew Broderick, were involved in a horrific car accident in Ireland. Broderick had driven on the wrong side of the road, resulting in a head-on collision that claimed the lives of a mother and daughter in the other car.

Though the charges against Broderick were dropped, Jennifer was left with minor physical injuries. However, her emotional scars ran deep.

With Dirty Dancing’s premiere just days away, Jennifer found herself unable to celebrate the success amidst her grief and survivor’s guilt. She told the Daily Mirror, “It didn’t feel good to be the toast of the town.”

The Worst Nose Job Ever

Jennifer wrestled with survivor’s guilt, retreating from the limelight in the early 1990s, save for a guest role on Friends in 1995.

By then, she had undergone plastic surgery, which drastically changed her appearance.

In 2012, she lamented, “I entered the operating room as a celebrity and left anonymous.”

Feeling like she had disappeared or was hidden, she described it as the “worst nose job ever,” leading to her Hollywood career losing momentum.

Yet by 2010, Jennifer had made a remarkable comeback, winning Dancing with the Stars, which earned her a newfound admiration from fans. She expressed that it felt significant and rewarding.

Jennifer likened her return to the joy of having a delicious steak after a long diet, remarking to People, “It seems as though I’ve starved myself in fear of what other people would think of me.”

In 2018, she made another move toward the spotlight with roles in the comedy Red Oaks and the film Untogether.

Who else feels a wave of nostalgia and yearning to revisit 1987? Remember and cherish the iconic moments of Dirty Dancing. What fond memories they bring!

Share this heartwarming story with friends who loved Dirty Dancing and wondered about the journey of the beautiful Jennifer Grey, just like I did!