Jennifer Grey, widely recognized for her role as “Baby” in the iconic movie Dirty Dancing, was expected to enjoy a flourishing career after the film’s success. Unfortunately, a tragic event drastically altered her life and career trajectory, leading her to retreat from Hollywood for years.

When Dirty Dancing hit theaters in August 1987, it became an instant classic. Despite the film’s low budget and lack of major stars, it struck a chord with audiences. Patrick Swayze, Grey’s co-star, quickly rose to fame, becoming a household name with roles in films like Ghost and Donnie Darko. Grey, however, experienced something quite different. Although she had gained immense popularity following her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman, she disappeared from the public eye soon after the film’s release.

Years later, Grey opened up about a devastating accident that forever changed her life. In an interview with People Magazine, she revealed the details of a traumatic car accident that took place just before Dirty Dancing premiered.

Grey, born in New York in 1960, had pursued dance and acting from an early age, following in the footsteps of her father, Joel Grey, a renowned actor, singer, and dancer. She studied at the Dalton School and later continued her acting education at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. Like many aspiring actors, she worked as a waitress while auditioning for roles. After landing small roles, including a commercial for Dr. Pepper, she made her film debut in Reckless in 1984. However, her big break came in 1987 with Dirty Dancing.

Sadly, just as her career was set to take off, disaster struck. While vacationing in Ireland with her then-boyfriend, actor Matthew Broderick, Broderick accidentally drove on the wrong side of the road, causing a head-on collision. The crash tragically killed a mother and daughter in the other vehicle. While Broderick faced charges for reckless driving, which were later dropped, Grey was left deeply traumatized by the accident, though her physical injuries were minor.

The premiere of Dirty Dancing took place just days after the accident. Even though the movie was a massive success, Grey was unable to fully enjoy her newfound fame due to the overwhelming grief and survivor’s guilt she felt. Reflecting on the time, Grey stated, “It didn’t feel right to be celebrated when I was carrying so much pain inside.”

Grey’s career never truly recovered from the trauma. She took a break from acting and later underwent a nose job in the early 1990s, which significantly altered her appearance. She joked that she “went into surgery famous and came out anonymous,” referring to how unrecognizable she had become.

Despite these challenges, Grey made a triumphant return to the spotlight in 2010 when she won Dancing with the Stars. In 2018, she continued her comeback, appearing in the comedy series Red Oaks and the film Untogether. Now, she has rediscovered her joy and passion, reminding fans of the star who captured hearts back in 1987.