Jennifer Grey, who played “Baby” in the iconic film Dirty Dancing, was expected to see a significant rise in her career. However, a tragic event changed everything, leading her to step away from the film industry.
At 62, Jennifer Grey finally opened up about the traumatic experience that left her permanently scarred. Despite Dirty Dancing’s low budget and lack of big stars, the film became a massive hit in August 1987. Patrick Swayze, Grey’s co-star, skyrocketed to fame, but Jennifer disappeared from the spotlight soon after the film’s release.
Grey revealed the circumstances of the life-changing accident in a recent People Magazine interview. Born in New York in 1960, Jennifer was encouraged by her father, Joel Grey, a multi-talented entertainer, to pursue a career in the arts. She landed her first TV commercial and made her film debut in 1984’s Reckless. Her breakthrough came with Dirty Dancing, where she played Frances “Baby” Houseman, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
Tragically, just before the film’s release, Grey and her then-boyfriend Matthew Broderick were involved in a severe car accident in Ireland. Broderick, driving on the wrong side of the road, collided with another car, killing a mother and daughter instantly. While Broderick faced dropped reckless driving charges, Grey suffered minor physical injuries but deep psychological trauma.
The accident marred the success of Dirty Dancing for Grey, who struggled with survivor’s guilt. She stated, “It didn’t feel good to be the toast of the town” amid such grief. Grey’s career faltered as she coped with the emotional aftermath and an infamous nose job that altered her appearance.
By 2010, Grey returned to the spotlight, winning “Dancing with the Stars” and reconnecting with fans. In 2018, she appeared in the comedy Red Oaks and the film Untogether, taking another step back into the limelight she once left behind.
