Jennifer Grey Was Nearly Paralyzed from Injury & Became ‘Invisible’ after Nose Job — Now She’s a Doting Single Mom

Jennifer Grey gained immense fame because of her role in “Dirty Dancing.” Unfortunately, she got into an accident involving two deaths, changing her life forever. While trying to return to the acting scene, Grey had two nose jobs and was later diagnosed with cancer.

Born on March 26, 1960, in New York, Jennifer Grey came from a family of entertainers and joined the business in the ’80s. Her father, Joel Grey, was an Oscar Award-winning actor, dancer, and singer recognized for his performance in “Cabaret.”

Meanwhile, her mother, Jo Wilder, was an actress and singer before leaving the industry to start a family. Grey’s grandfather, Mickey Katz, was also a performer, known as a musician and comic.

Grey was only a teen when she engaged in alcohol, drugs, and intense relationships – a life she even called reckless. While enjoying the party scene, she pursued a career as an actress and secured roles in known productions.

In 1984, she appeared in her first three films, “Red Dawn,” “The Cotton Club,” and “Reckless.” However, she only became famous after starring in the movies “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Dirty Dancing,” in 1986 and 1987.

Between wrapping up filming for “Dirty Dancing” and the movie’s release, Grey was involved in a severe car accident.

Grey, then 27, brought to life the character Frances “Baby” Houseman in “Dirty Dancing” and was paired with the late Patrick Swayze, her on-screen love interest. When the cameras stopped rolling, Grey and Swayze did not have the perfect relationship, but they had no choice but to have chemistry for the film. She said:

“Patrick was a really good guy and really cared about me. He was always there for me, and I would’ve done anything for him, but we were also a little oil and water.”

The pair’s real-life relationship caused friction in the movie and allowed them to better portray their roles. However, it was their last movie together.

“Dirty Dancing” was considered a coming-of-age film with a storyline that won Grey’s heart. “When I read the script, there was so much that felt like it was made for me,” she said. Although the film became a massive success, Grey’s career spiraled down soon after.

Between wrapping up filming for “Dirty Dancing” and the movie’s release, Grey was involved in a severe car accident. At that time, she and her boyfriend, actor Matthew Broderick, collided with another vehicle in Northern Ireland.

Broderick, who was driving, crossed the wrong lane and had a head-on collision with a car that killed a mother and her daughter. He was eventually charged with reckless driving and was hospitalized for a month with a broken leg.

Meanwhile, Grey suffered a whiplash that affected her life for years. She chose to stay by her then-boyfriend’s side while in recovery, making her absent during the “Dirty Dancing” publicity tour. As a result of the accident and its aftermath, Grey did not bask in the fruits of her success.

She dealt with survivor’s guilt as well. Admittedly, the actress said that the accident changed her life forever in more ways than one. She added:

“It was a pure and simple accident that was tragic, and it had very serious traumatic lasting effects on, I’m sure, Matthew, [the] family of the other women, and me.”

Like many Hollywood romances, the couple’s relationship did not last. Grey and Broderick broke two years after the tragic crash. She realized she was young when they became a couple and were less mature. Nevertheless, Grey was incredibly in love with Broderick and learned much about herself during the relationship.

She again shared the impact of the nose job in 2012, revealing that she entered the operating room as a celebrity and came out as a nobody.

She later entered a relationship with “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp after meeting during a blind date. They were engaged for some time but never made it down the aisle. According to Grey, several piled-up incidents contributed to their breakup, but in many ways, Depp was lacking as a partner and often got in trouble.

After the accident, Grey underwent plastic surgery at her mother’s suggestion. Wilder wanted her daughter to have more projects and believed rhinoplasty would have her more casting roles. It’s not that Wilder found Grey any less than beautiful, but as an actress, there were some things she should change.

Grey had another procedure done in the ’90s to fix a minor imperfection from her previous nose job. However, the operation changed her face to the point that some actors, including Michael Douglas, didn’t recognize her. She became invisible to others when she went out after her second rhinoplasty.

“In the world’s eyes, I was no longer me,” she said. The result of the procedure was disastrous that Grey’s close friends barely recognized her. Agents also stopped calling her for possible projects, bringing her career to a slowdown.

By the time she had the correction, Grey had grown disinterested in Hollywood and preferred to be a mother and wife. However, it wasn’t until many years later that she tied the knot and had a child.

Grey spoke about her horrific rhinoplasty during a 2004 interview with In Touch Weekly, comparing the experience to getting a tooth pulled. She looked nothing like herself after the operation.

She again shared the impact of the nose job in 2012, revealing that she entered the operating room as a celebrity and came out as a nobody.

Grey had found herself in terrible pain and believed she could no longer move forward in the competition. She called her neck surgeon in tears from the pain.

While she still landed roles in film and television, nothing compared to the success of “Dirty Dancing.” Things only worsened when she joined “Dancing with the Stars” years later as she discovered a terrible illness.

The accident did not only change Grey’s career, but it also affected her health. Since 1987, she has been experiencing chronic pain from her neck injury during the car crash. However, it was only during her time competing on “Dancing With The Stars” that she discovered her ailment.

In 2009, before joining the show, a physical routine check showed Grey’s abnormal spine. Her reflexes were jumpy, indicating a force was pressing against her spinal cord. It turned out that Grey’s neck had a sharp bend, and according to the doctor, there “was slippage of one vertebra onto another.”

This meant that one wrong move, a fall, another car accident, or even a sudden head movement could have left the actress paralyzed.

By the time the finale came, Grey had found herself in terrible pain and believed she could no longer move forward in the competition. She called her neck surgeon in tears from the pain and soon found out she had a slipped disc or a ruptured disc.

Doctors also discovered that she had a cancerous thyroid for years, which worsened her situation. The Hollywood star said:

“The doctor who looked at my spine said not only should you not be in a car, you’re lucky you’re not paralyzed, your head is hanging off your spine, and this is why you’ve been in pain for 20 years.”

Still, Grey wanted to finish her stint in the famous dance competition. Working with her doctor, Dr. Robert Bray, a neurologic neck surgeon and the medical director of D.I.S.C. Sports Spine Center in California, she did her best to dance carefully.

Grey and Clark Gregg tied the knot on July 21, 2001, a few months before their daughter, Stella, was born. Gregg was also in the entertainment industry as an actor and director.

She had epidural steroid injections to manage the pain and was assessed before and after dancing. According to the doctor, Grey still had strong legs and performed short stints that did not further worsen her medical condition.

The severity of the situation resulted in several surgeries in the same year: Grey’s doctor revealed that she had four neck surgeries in 2010, including one to insert a plate in her neck. Grey also had procedures performed to remove the cancerous thyroid.

Her time on “Dancing With The Stars” did not only bring joy to Gray, but it also saved her life. She also saw the bright side of the accident, saying, “In a way, the accident that I thought was maybe one of the worst things that happened to me saved my life.”

While Grey experienced difficulties in her health, she had her then-husband by her side. Grey and Clark Gregg tied the knot on July 21, 2001, a few months before their daughter, Stella, was born. Gregg was also in the entertainment industry as an actor and director.

He is most recognized for his work in the Marvel franchises “Captain America,” “Agents of SHIELD,” “Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,” “Captain Marvel,” “Thor,” and “The Avengers.” He also shared the screen with Grew in the 2006 movie “The Road to Christmas.”

The couple lived nearly two decades in marital bliss until their separation in 2020. The divorce came by surprise as the couple often went on dates and practiced dance routines.

It seems that Stella had it in mind to follow in her parents’ footsteps. In 2013, she appeared with her dad in the movie “Trust Me” and in an episode of “Agents of SHIELD” in 2017.

The couple announced their split on Instagram, noting their amicable breakup happened at the beginning of the year. Grey wrote:

“We separated in [January], knowing we’d always be a family who loves, values, and cares for each other. We recently [decided] to divorce, but we remain close and are deeply grateful for the life we’ve shared […].”

Only a month before their painful announcement, the actress paid tribute to Gregg for being an incredible father during Father’s Day. In August of the same year, Gregg officially filed for divorce in Los Angeles County. According to the court order, Grey retained her earnings from her films but was entitled to half of her ex-husband’s royalties.

Stella Gregg was already 18 during her parents’ split, but her parents agreed to share responsibilities concerning her until age 24. Grey and Gregg were present during her high school graduation and even had photos as a family, showing they are united on matters concerning their only daughter.

It seems that Stella had it in mind to follow in her parents’ footsteps. In 2013, she appeared with her dad in the movie “Trust Me” and in an episode of “Agents of SHIELD” in 2017.

While Grey enjoys her career as an actress, she also likes the laid-back life. Previously, she shared a photo of herself with barely any makeup, relaxing in a black swimsuit and sunglasses.

Grey enjoys living privately, but in January 2023, she celebrated her daughter’s 21st birthday with a sweet tribute on Instagram. The actress often shares a snap of Stella during special occasions, and each time, the beautiful girl looks more and more like her mother.

This year is off to a great start for Grey, who landed a role in a movie. Her friend, Jamie Lee-Curtis, promoted Grey’s latest film, “Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation.” The “Dirty Dancing” star looked beautiful as she dressed for the role, and fans cannot wait to see her performance.

While Grey enjoys her career as an actress, she also likes the laid-back life. Previously, she shared a photo of herself with barely any makeup, relaxing in a black swimsuit and sunglasses.

Grey has undoubtedly been through a lot as an actress and a person. However, she remains happy with her current life, family-wise and career-wise. Thanks to her classic film “Dirty Dancing,” Grey is a name still known amongst different generations.