Jennifer Grey Bio
Jennifer Grey (born March 26, 1960) is an American actress. She made her acting debut with the film Reckless in 1984 and had her breakthrough with the teen comedy film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in 1986. She earned worldwide fame starring as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman in the romantic drama film Dirty Dancing in 1987, which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. Her other feature films include Red Dawn, The Cotton Club, Bloodhounds of Broadway, Bounce, Redbelt, The Wind Rises, In Your Eyes, Bittersweet Symphony, and A Real Pain.
Early Life and Background
Jennifer Grey was born on March 26, 1960, in New York City to former actress and singer Jo Wilder and Academy Award-winning actor Joel Grey. Her paternal grandfather was comedian and musician Mickey Katz. Grey’s parents both came from Jewish families. She attended the Dalton School, a private school in Manhattan, where she studied dance and acting. After graduating in 1978, Grey enrolled at Manhattan’s Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre for two years of training as an actress. While waiting for roles, she supported herself by waitressing.
Path to Hollywood
Grey made her commercial debut at age 19 in an advertisement for Dr Pepper, then made her film debut in a small role in Reckless in 1984, followed by another small role in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Cotton Club that same year. She starred in the war film Red Dawn in 1984 and went on to appear in the 1985 film American Flyers.
Jennifer Grey Career
Early Career (1979–1985)
Jennifer Grey’s early career included several small roles in films and television. She gained recognition for her role as Jeannie Bueller in the John Hughes comedy film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in 1986, which was commercially successful and received positive critical reception.
Breakthrough (1986–1987)
In 1987, Grey starred as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman in Dirty Dancing, a coming-of-age love story set at a Catskills resort. The film was a surprise hit and is considered a classic. Grey was paid $50,000 for her role, which came to define her career, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress for this performance. Despite the success of Dirty Dancing, Grey felt that her looks would limit the types of roles she would be considered for in the future.
Notable Works and Milestones
Grey’s signature work remains Dirty Dancing, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination and solidified her status in Hollywood.
Jennifer Grey Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Jennifer Grey has received several nominations, including a notable nomination for a Golden Globe Award for her role in Dirty Dancing.
Jennifer Grey Awards Won
Jennifer Grey has won various accolades throughout her career, including winning season eleven of Dancing with the Stars in 2010.
Jennifer Grey Family
Jennifer Grey is the daughter of actor Joel Grey and actress Jo Wilder. She was married to actor and director Clark Gregg from 2001 until their divorce in 2021. They have one daughter together.
Personal Life
Grey suffered severe whiplash in a car collision in 1987 while vacationing with Matthew Broderick, which led to a period of withdrawal from acting due to grief and survivor’s guilt. She has had multiple relationships with actors Michael J. Fox, Johnny Depp, and William Baldwin. Grey has also reconnected with her Jewish roots in recent years, expressing pride in her heritage. She participated in the 2017 Women’s March in Los Angeles.
