It was anticipated that Jennifer Grey, who played “Baby” in the iconic movie Dirty Dancing, would have much better employment chances.

However, it was not intended to be. Rather, a horrible incident drastically altered everything and forced her to permanently quit the film industry.

Jennifer Grey has finally opened out about the terrible period of her life that left her permanently traumatized after many years.

But the cast and crew knew what they had done as soon as Dirty Dancing hit theaters in August 1987.

Patrick Swayze, the male protagonist, was successful right away. He became well-known as a teen idol and sex icon before starring in popular films like Ghost and Donnie Darko.

 

However, his co-star Jennifer Grey wasn’t doing well when the movie came out, and she quickly disappeared. Jennifer Grey disappeared as abruptly as she had appeared amid the joy and celebrations.

Additionally, the actress was absent from the media for a very long time.

 

However, in a recent interview, she talked candidly about the accident that changed her life.

However, let’s first look at Jennifer Grey’s life before to the tragic event that occurred in the summer of 1987.

Jennifer Gray started attending dance classes at a young age. Her father may have urged her to seek a career in entertainment when she was born in New York in 1960. Her father, Joel Gray, was an actor, singer, dancer, photographer, and director.

 

During her time at Dalton School, Jennifer focused on dancing and acting. After graduating in 1978, she enrolled in the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater and began looking for performing roles. At the same time, her life was not exactly a dance on roses. Jennifer was compelled to work as a waitress to help pay the expenses.

She managed to land a few TV commercial jobs despite this, including one for Dr. Pepper. Her first acting role was in the 1984 movie “Reckless.” She received a big break a few years later when she starred as Frances “Baby” Houseman in the film “Dirty Dancing.”

Author Eleanor Bergstein’s childhood served as a major inspiration for the story of this well-loved film. Jennifer became well-known overnight and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

Unfortunately, she was never able to capitalize on the enormous success.

Shortly before the film’s August 1987 release, Grey and her then-boyfriend Matthew Broderick were residing in Ireland.

 

However, the pair suffered a terrible car accident when Broderick struck another vehicle while driving on the wrong side of the road. A woman and her daughter were in the second car, and they both perished instantly.

 

Eventually, the charge of reckless driving against Broderick was dropped in favor of reckless driving. Jennifer Grey’s psychological wounds remained even if she only had minor physical injuries like bruises.

Dirty Dancing made its debut just a few days later. However, Grey was unable to enjoy the film in spite of its widespread appeal.

It just didn’t make sense to contrast that intense suffering, the survivor’s guilt, and then being heralded as the next big thing. Being the talk of the town didn’t feel good, according to Grey.

The trauma induced by the accident will never fully heal the actress.

 

“My ambition was never the same, and my brain was never the same,” she said.

Hellish nose job

She fought survivor’s guilt, disappeared for a few years in the early 1990s, and then reappeared in a 1995 Friends episode.

By then, she had had plastic surgery, and her face was a whole makeover.

It was similar to being in a witness protection program or feeling anonymous. The nose job was the worst I’ve ever had. No one will ever identify me as the former well-known actress with the nose job.

 

Jennifer’s Hollywood career was sporadic after that.

By 2010, Jennifer had re-established herself in the mainstream media. After winning the TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” she was once again a passionate fan favorite. That was something that was important to her, she said.

“I feel like I’ve starved myself because I’m afraid of what other people think of me,” the celebrity remarked. “It’s like eating a wonderful steak after being on a diet for 23 years.”

In 2018, Grey returns to the public eye once more. Both “Untogether” and the upcoming comedy “Red Oaks” will include her.

We’re so happy that you’re back to being enthusiastic and happy, Jennifer!

 

Now, who else is nostalgic enough to wish to go back to 1987? Below is the famous scene from Dirty Dancing. Such lovely recollections!