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!
Beloved superstar has died this morning in a tragic car accident
A football prospect for the NFL who died in a car accident on Saturday morning wrote a sad last post just hours before he died.
Police say a speeding car killed 24-year-old Khyree Jackson and two of his friends. Jackson was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL draft not long ago.
Police confirmed early Saturday morning that Jackson, the cornerback, and Hazel, the driver, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Hazel was Jackson’s high school teammate.
Anthony Lytton Jr., a fellow passenger and teammate, was rushed to the hospital but later pronounced dead as well.
On Friday, Jackson posted a 10-slide Instagram carousel with pictures from his life, including ones of him at Vikings practice, along with the message “Mmmhmmm.”
Jackson also posted pictures of himself smiling on a beach with two parrots, flexing with a lizard, and taking selfies in front of a mirror to show off his stylish clothes.
In a picture in the post comparing “dreamers” and “doers,” a group of people labeled as “dreamers” watch a man labeled as a “doer” surf a huge wave.
Jackson really was a “doer.”
TMZ said that the football star started college at Fort Scott Community College after graduating from Dr. Henry Wise Jr. High School. He worked his way up and went on to play for the Oregon Ducks and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Oregon Live said that Jackson’s best season so far was 2023, which made him the best cornerback for the Ducks.
They picked the cornerback, who is 24 years old, in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
“The news of Khyree Jackson’s death after an overnight car accident breaks our hearts,” the Vikings said in a statement.
“The Minnesota Vikings have talked to Khyree’s family and offered their support while we look into the matter further.”
“We have also communicated the news to Vikings players, coaches and staff and have offered counseling for those who need emotional support.”
“Our hearts go out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates, coaches, and all the other people who died in this terrible accident.”
Jackson had “contagious energy” that made the other players want to play.
“The news of this breaks my heart.” “Khyree’s energy spread through our building and team,” O’Connell said in a statement.
“His teammates liked him right away because he was sure of himself and had a great personality.” While we were together, it was clear that Khyree was going to become a great professional football player. But what really impressed me was how much he wanted to be the best person he could be for his family and the people around him.
“I don’t know what to say. Khyree’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches are in my thoughts and prayers.
Around 3 a.m. Saturday, Jackson was riding in a Dodge Charger with two former teammates when a fast-moving Infiniti pulled out in front of them.
Police say that after getting hit, the Charger went off the road to the right and hit several tree stumps.
From what the police say, the Infiniti also hit a Chevrolet Impala.
The driver of the Impala, Cori Clingman, and the two people in her car were not hurt. Neither was the driver of the Infiniti.
After the investigation, charges have not yet been made.
Leave a Reply