Jennifer Grey, born in New York during the 1960s into a family deeply entrenched in the entertainment industry, seemed destined for a career in showbiz.
Following her graduation from the Dalton School in 1978, where she studied dance and acting, Jennifer began her professional journey in the entertainment world, securing roles in television commercials.
Her film career took off in 1984 with her debut in the movie “Reckless.” However, it was her iconic role as Frances “Baby” Houseman in “Dirty Dancing” that catapulted her to stardom, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Despite the success, her career faced a sudden downturn following a personal tragedy.
While living in Ireland with her then-boyfriend Matthew Broderick, the couple was involved in a devastating car accident. Broderick, who was driving, accidentally entered the wrong lane, resulting in a collision that killed a mother, Margaret Doherty, who was 63 at the time of her death, and her daughter, Anna Gallagher, who was 28.
Broderick, who pled guilty to the charge of careless driving and paid a $175 fine — but was never charged with vehicular manslaughter — was frantically worried about the victims of the crash immediately following the collision.
In the years following the accident, Grey stepped away from the spotlight, returning in 1995 with a role in the film “Friends.” Her return was marked by a significant physical transformation due to a nose job, which she later described in a 2012 interview as the “nose job from hell,” claiming it rendered her unrecognizable and akin to being in a witness protection program.
Despite the setbacks, Jennifer Grey made a notable comeback, winning the TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” which she described to People magazine as a liberating experience akin to enjoying a delicious steak after years of self-restraint. Her triumphant return to Hollywood marked a significant turning point, highlighting her resilience and ability to navigate both personal and professional challenges.
