Jennifer Grey felt ”invisible” after facial transformation – her ”nose job from hell” made her ‘anonymous’

Jennifer Grey, known for her role as ‘Baby’ in the classic film Dirty Dancing, was expected to experience a major boost in her career opportunities.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. A devastating accident altered the course of her life, compelling her to leave the film industry permanently.

Years later, at the age of 65, Jennifer Grey has bravely shared her story about the harrowing time in her life that left lasting scars…

No major actors, no famous director, and overall a film with a small budget.

However, the instant Dirty Dancing premiered in August 1987, the producers and cast realized they had achieved something monumental.

For the male lead, Patrick Swayze, the success was immediate. He quickly became a teen heartthrob and sex symbol, eventually securing roles in major films like Ghost and Donnie Darko.

On the other hand, his co-star Jennifer Grey was not in a good place when the film was released, and she soon vanished entirely. Amidst the excitement and celebrations, Jennifer Grey disappeared just as swiftly as she had come.

The actress had been absent from the public eye for quite a while.

However, in recent years, during an interview with People Magazine, she opened up about the accident that transformed her life.

Before we dive into that, let’s explore Jennifer Grey’s journey leading up to that fateful accident in the summer of 1987.

Jennifer Gray began her dance training at a young age. Born in 1960 in New York, it was likely her father who encouraged her to pursue a career in the entertainment field. Her father, Joel Gray, was involved in various roles as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer.

Jennifer attended Dalton School, where she concentrated on dance and acting. After completing her studies in 1978, she started searching for acting roles and also enrolled in the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater. However, her journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. To make ends meet, Jennifer took a job as a waitress.

Despite the challenges, she secured several roles in TV commercials, including one for Dr. Pepper. Her film career kicked off in 1984 with the movie “Reckless.” A few years later, she achieved significant success with “Dirty Dancing,” where she played the role of Frances “Baby” Houseman.

The movie is a timeless classic, and its narrative is actually inspired by the childhood of screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein. Jennifer shot to fame overnight and earned a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Globe Awards.

Tragic incident

Sadly, she was never able to fully relish her immense success.

Just before the film premiered in August 1987, Grey was living in Ireland with her then-boyfriend Matthew Broderick.

However, the couple was involved in a horrific car accident when Broderick, driving on the incorrect side of the road, collided with another vehicle. A mother and her daughter were in the other car – both lost their lives instantly.

Broderick faced charges for dangerous driving, which were later downgraded to careless driving. On the other hand, Jennifer Grey only experienced bruises and minor physical injuries, although the emotional scars lingered.

The premiere of Dirty Dancing was just a few days away. However, in spite of the film’s success, Grey found it hard to relish the moment.

“The contrast between that profound sadness, the guilt of being a survivor, and then being celebrated as the new sensation just didn’t sit right. It didn’t feel good to be the darling of the town,” Grey shared, according to the Daily Mirror.

The actress would never completely heal from the trauma caused by the accident.

“My head was never the same, my ambition was never the same,” she shared with People.

A disastrous nose job

She battled with survivor’s guilt and vanished for a few years in the early 90s before making a brief appearance in an episode of Friends in 1995.

By that time, she had had plastic surgery, and her appearance had changed significantly.

“I went into the operating room a celebrity and came out unrecognizable,” she remarked in 2012.

It felt as if she were in a witness protection program or perhaps invisible. It was the worst nose job imaginable. I’ll forever be that once-celebrated actress whom no one recognizes due to a nose job.

Following that, Jennifer experienced a fluctuating career in Hollywood.

By 2010, Jennifer had managed to re-enter the mainstream media. She triumphed in the TV show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and regained her status as a beloved favorite among fans. For her, that was something she valued greatly.

“I feel as though I’ve deprived myself due to others’ opinions of me. It’s akin to savoring a mouthwatering steak after being on a diet for 23 years,” the star shared with People.

In 2018, Grey made another move back into the spotlight she had stepped away from. She is scheduled to feature in ‘Untogether’ and the new comedy ‘Red Oaks’.

We’re thrilled to see you’ve rediscovered your passion and joy, Jennifer!

So, who else is in the mood for a nostalgia-filled journey back to 1987? Check out the unforgettable moment from Dirty Dancing below. What amazing memories!

Kindly share this story with your friends on Facebook. Just like I did, they might have seen Dirty Dancing and pondered what became of the beautiful Jennifer Grey!