When Cynthia Rhodes wasn’t “Staying Alive” on the dance floor with John Travolta, she was “Dirty Dancing” with Patrick Swayze.
Rhodes, who will turn 67 in November 2023, had a great career with famous dance movies from the 1980s. However, she chose to step away from the spotlight at the height of her fame.
Keep reading to find out why this talented actress, singer, and dancer retired so early!
Cynthia Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She started her acting career with a small role in the 1980 musical fantasy film **Xanadu**, which starred the late Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.
Her role as Tina Tech, a dancer in the 1983 film **Flashdance**, led to a bigger part later that year as John Travolta’s love interest in **Staying Alive**, the sequel to **Saturday Night Fever**, directed by Sylvester Stallone.
In 1987, she played her most famous role as Penny Johnson, a dance instructor at a resort hotel in **Dirty Dancing**.
In her role as Penny, Cynthia Rhodes shows off her amazing dance skills with graceful and flashy Mambo moves alongside the late Patrick Swayze. She also shares some very emotional and heartbreaking scenes with him.
Rhodes described her character Penny as having an “edge.” Penny both charmed and shocked viewers as she dealt with a difficult storyline involving a botched illegal abortion.
The film includes a socially relevant subplot about reproductive rights, with Rhodes at the center of it all. This helped position the three lead characters—Swayze as Johnny, Jennifer Grey as Baby, and Rhodes as Penny—for stardom.
“She’s from South Philly and she’s had a rough life,” Rhodes said about her character. “She’s got a sweetness about her, but it’s hidden because she’s been through a lot, and she has sort of put up a wall.” Rhodes added, “In the end, I think she finally realizes that life does go on.”
Life went on for Cynthia Rhodes, but not in the way her fans hoped.
After training for ten hours a day to prepare for her role as Penny, Rhodes found dancing to be “really hard.” She shared, “That’s why I keep saying I’m never going to dance again. I’m tired of dancing. My bones are hurting, and my back hurts all the time.” She added, “Every time I say, ‘That’s it, I don’t want to dance anymore,’ I get another film. I’m not going to turn down work! I feel very fortunate to be in films that involve dancing. But I just want a chance to do some dramatic work without dancing. Just give me a straight acting part.”
In the same year that *Dirty Dancing* was released, the 31-year-old Rhodes, who had many role options and admirers, appeared in the music video for “Don’t Mean Nothing” by Richard Marx. He is also known for the song “Right Here Waiting,” which was famously written for Rhodes in 1989.
In 1989, Rhodes married the Grammy Award-winning singer Richard Marx, and the couple welcomed their first child, Brandon, in 1990. They later had two more sons, Lucas in 1992 and Jesse in 1994.
According to Marx, Rhodes, who had previously trained for the Olympics, decided to retire in 1990 to focus on raising their children. He mentioned that this choice was also due to the “intense physical pain” her dance moves caused her.
“I thought, ‘This won’t last; she’s definitely going to want to come back to work and do films.’ But she found fulfillment in being a mom that completely overshadowed any desire she had to make movies,” Marx, now 59, explained. “Even if you’re her biggest fan, as good as you think she was as a dancer, singer, or actress, you should see her as a mom.”
Rhodes, who began dancing at just three years old, found that she was much happier being a mom and giving her body the rest it needed.
“The thing was, I used to never be sore. In fact, I was a gymnast. Now it’s frustrating… I never used to stretch, but now I have to stretch before I dance. I love to dance, but if I never did it again, I wouldn’t be sorry,” Rhodes said.
Since then, she hasn’t looked back. The last time she appeared on screen was in the 1991 film *Curse of the Crystal Eye.*
The former Hollywood starlet divorced Marx in 2014, and he married MTV’s first Latina host, Daisy Fuentes, the following year.
As for her sons, all three are following in the footsteps of their famous parents. Brandon is now a music producer and singer, while Lucas has made a name for himself as a singer and actor, appearing in TV series like *The Chicago Code*, *The Mob Doctor*, *Chicago P.D.*, and *Parenthood*. The youngest son, Jesse, has joined a metal band and is working on his own music.
Dancing requires a high level of athleticism, so while we miss seeing Cynthia Rhodes, we completely understand why she chose to leave Hollywood.
What are your favorite films featuring her?
It is not an edited photo. Examine Up Close and Try Not to Gasp
On January 1, 1985, a photo captured a glamorous moment between Ann-Margret and Roger Smith. The couple, both celebrated figures in Hollywood, were attending a high-profile event, their elegance and charm perfectly encapsulated in the image.
Ann-Margret, known for her vibrant performances and timeless beauty, stood out in a stunning, gold-embellished gown. Her hair, styled in soft waves, framed her face beautifully, and her confident smile added to her radiant presence. The intricate details of her dress, with its lace and shimmering fabric, showcased her impeccable taste in fashion, making her the center of attention. PHOTO BELOW
Beside her, Roger Smith exuded a classic, refined charm. Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and a bow tie, he complemented Ann-Margret’s elegance perfectly. His poised demeanor and gentle smile reflected his own stature in the entertainment industry, as both an actor and a producer.
The couple’s journey together had always fascinated their fans. They had met in the 1960s, and their relationship blossomed into a deep and enduring love.
Roger Smith, who had gained fame from his role in the television series “77 Sunset Strip,” had become Ann-
Margret’s greatest supporter. When he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease, Ann-Margret stood by his side, showing the strength and devotion that defined their partnership.
This photograph, taken at a time when both were at the height of their careers, captures more than just a moment of style and grace. It reflects their bond, their mutual support, and the love that had carried them through many challenges. Ann-Margret’s poised presence and Roger’s steadfast gaze tell a story of a couple deeply connected, both personally and professionally.
The backdrop of the photo, with its rich green drapes, adds to the regal ambiance, making the image not just a snapshot of a night out, but a portrait of Hollywood royalty. The elegance of Ann-Margret and Roger Smith in this photo is timeless, a testament to their legacy in the world of entertainment and their enduring love story.
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