The actress who played “Baby” in the beloved movie Dirty Dancing, Jennifer Grey, was expected to see a significant boost in her career possibilities.
That was not to be, though. Instead, a terrible accident changed everything and forced her to give up the movie industry forever.
The terrible period in her life that left Jennifer Grey severely traumatized was finally discussed by the sixty-two-year-old Jennifer Grey after many years.
It’s a low-budget movie without a big name director or celebrity cast.
But when Dirty Dancing opened in theaters in August 1987, the actors and producers realized they had accomplished something truly great.
The primary actor, Patrick Swayze, achieved quick success. He became well-known as a sex icon and teenage hero before going on to appear in big-budget films like Donnie Darko and Ghost.
But when the movie first came out, his co-star Jennifer Grey wasn’t feeling well, so she swiftly disappeared from sight. Jennifer Grey disappeared amidst the chaos and celebrations just as quickly as she had appeared.
In addition, the actress spent a considerable amount of time away from the spotlight.
Nonetheless, in a recent interview with People Magazine, she revealed every detail of the accident that changed her life.
First, let’s take a look at Jennifer Grey’s life leading up to the tragic event that happened in the summer of 1987.
Jennifer Gray began taking dancing classes at a young age. Her father most likely urged her to seek a career in entertainment when she was born in New York in 1960. Her father, Joel Gray, was an actor, director, photographer, dancer, and vocalist.
Jennifer attended the Dalton School to study dancing and acting. After graduation in 1978, she began seeking acting roles, and she went on to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater. But it wasn’t a rose-colored dance in her life. Jennifer had to work as a waitress to pay the bills.
She did, however, manage to get a couple of TV commercials, including one for Dr. Pepper. Her first motion picture role was in 1984’s “Reckless.” A few years later, she had an incredible breakout role in “Dirty Dancing,” where she played Frances “Baby” Houseman.
The cherished film’s narrative is based on scriptwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s early years. Jennifer became well-known overnight and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
Sad event
Unfortunately, she was never able to enjoy the enormous success.
Just before the movie’s August 1987 premiere, Grey and her then-boyfriend Matthew Broderick were residing in Ireland.
But Broderick was driving on the wrong side of the road when he struck another car, and the pair was involved in a horrifying auto accident. A woman and her daughter were killed instantly when they were in the other car.
Eventually, Broderick’s charges of careless driving were withdrawn. In contrast, Jennifer Grey only suffered minor bumps and bruises, but her psychological scars remained.
A few days later, Dirty Dancing had its premiere. Nevertheless, Grey was unable to enjoy the success of the film.
In the middle of such severe sadness and survivor’s guilt, it just didn’t feel right to be heralded as the next big thing. “It didn’t feel good to be the toast of the town,” Grey reportedly said, according to the Daily Mirror.
The actress’s anguish from the accident will never fully go away.
“My ambition and my head were never the same,” she told People.
The most awful nose job ever
Her struggle with survivor’s guilt caused her to disappear for a while in the early 1990s, but she reappeared in a single Friends episode in 1995.
By then, she had undergone plastic surgery, and her face was radically altered.
“I entered the operating room as a celebrity and left anonymous,” she said in 2012.
It was like being undercover or covered by witness protection. The worst nose job I’ve ever seen. I’ll always be this once-famous actress that nobody knows about because of a nose job.
Jennifer’s Hollywood career was sporadic after that.
By 2010, Jennifer had made a successful comeback to the mainstream media. She was a hit with the public once more after winning “Dancing with the Stars.” She said that was something that was important to her.
I feel like I’ve starved myself out of concern for what people may think of me. “This is like having a delicious steak after 23 years on a diet,” the actor said to People.
In 2018, Grey took another step toward the limelight she had previously left behind. She is expected to star in the upcoming motion picture Untogether and comedy Red Oaks.
Jennifer, we’re so happy to see you back to your passionate, happy self!
Who else has a strong need to go back in time to 1987 at this point? Watch the classic scene from Dirty Dancing down below. What beautiful memories!
Please share this news with your friends on Facebook. Like me, they probably watched Dirty Dancing and wondered what happened to the gorgeous Jennifer Grey!
Kelly Rizzo Shows Incredible Strength in the Face of Grief
Losing a spouse is an incredibly difficult experience, especially when they pass away. It brings immense grief and sadness that can be difficult to move on from. However, Kelly Rizzo, the widow of beloved Full House star Bob Saget, has shown incredible strength in facing her grief head-on.
After two years of mourning, Rizzo has decided to embark on a new chapter in her life – the world of dating. In January 2022, the world was shocked by Saget’s unexpected passing at the age of 65 due to accidental head trauma. Rizzo openly expressed her grief since then but now, she’s ready to take a step forward.
Initially, Rizzo shared that dating was not something she could even fathom, stating, “The thought of anything serious in the near future was just too complicated emotionally.” However, she also acknowledged the importance of companionship and expressed her openness to meeting someone and enjoying simple activities, such as going for a coffee or a hike.
Recently, Kelly Rizzo made her public debut with her new partner, Breckin Meyer. The couple appeared together at the Jam for Janie GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party and posed on the red carpet. Meyer is known for his roles in popular movies like Clueless and the live-action Garfield films.
Rizzo looked stunning in a body-hugging leopard-print dress, while Meyer went for a more casual look with gray khakis and a denim jacket. Their relationship has since been confirmed by the media.
It’s important to remember that healing is a personal journey, and everyone finds love in their own time. Kelly Rizzo’s willingness to open her heart again is a testament to her strength and resilience.
She had previously mentioned that dating was not something she was ready for, as the emotions attached to the idea were still overwhelming. However, she expressed her readiness to explore the possibility in the future.
As we celebrate this new chapter in Kelly Rizzo’s life, let’s also remember the love she shared with Bob Saget. They were married for four years until his passing in 2022. Moving on after losing a loved one is never easy, but we wish her the best of luck in finding happiness in whatever she pursues.
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