64-Year-Old Jennifer Grey Set To Return As ‘Baby’ In ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel

May 25, 2021

"Dirty Dancing" was one of the biggest surprise film hits of the 1980s and it catapulted its two stars — Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey — into the limelight. But while Swayze went on to have an illustrious career after, Grey receded from the spotlight. The film's incredible success was unexpected, which made their instant fame trickier to navigate. Regardless, the movie lives on as one of Hollywood's standout hits from the '80s and continues to be a fan favorite. 

The movie propelled Swayze to fame, who continued his meteoric rise by starring in other classics of the era including "Road House," "Ghost," and "Point Break." He became a household name and one of Hollywood's leading heartthrobs. Meanwhile, Grey left the spotlight in the decade following the film's release.

After a tragic accident days before the release of the iconic movie, which was followed by botched rhinoplasties later in her life, Grey became unrecognizable to most people who knew her famous face from "Dirty Dancing." This led to her keeping away from the spotlight for an extended period of time. 

In the last few years, however, Grey has been finding her way back into the entertainment industry. She began to act once more and even appeared on "Dancing With the Stars," which she actually won. Since then, she's continued to act in television and movies. Knowing that her journey was not an easy one, makes her return to acting all the more touching. 

Variety reported in July 2020 that Grey has decided to work with Lionsgate on a so-far untitled movie that fans think will be a "Dirty Dancing" sequel. The now 64-year-old actress with both star in the film and be the executive producer. 

Because Lionsgate holds the distribution rights to the 'Dirty Dancing' films, fans have speculated that the new film may be a sequel to the one they loved from 33 years ago. However, the production company has not yet confirmed the fans' hopes. While the original movie was set in 1963 in the Catskills, this movie is reportedly set in the '90s.

It was August 1987 when the first and most famous "Dirty Dancing" would be released to audiences and become a surprise hit. The movie didn't feature any big stars nor did it have a well-known director. It also wasn't planned to be a big release, rather it was meant to have a one-week theater release and go direct to video. 

"Dirty Dancing" was such a success that it became the first movie to sell more than one million VHS copies. Meanwhile, the film's soundtrack, a major part of its appeal, was also incredibly successful, with the movie's main song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" winning both Golden Globe and Academy Awards for Best Original Song, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Duet. Both Grey and Swayze became a household name back in 1987. 

The film featured Grey in the lead role of "Frances 'Baby' Houseman," Patrick Swayze as Baby's dance instructor and Johnny Castle as the romantic interest. Grey earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role as 'Baby' in the original film and the film made $218 million at the global box office off of just a $5 million production cost. 

Patrick Swayze also earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, having been able to showcase his formal dance training in the movie. 

With the wind in her wings, Grey was also on a fast-track lane to fame and a Hollywood career just as distinguished as Swayze's after the movie’s release. There may have been high hopes for her, but unfortunate events compounded and ultimately damaged her chances of a massive Hollywood career.

She first had problems with a botched rhinoplasty that dramatically changed her face, which led to an overnight change in how the industry viewed her. On Aug. 5, 1987 — the same month "Dirty Dancing" was released — she was in a horrific car accident in Ireland which changed the course of her life. 

In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Grey admitted that she turned down an offer to star in ABC's TV movie Dirty Dancing remake. She said:

"I was flattered, because I always want to be asked, because it's nice to want to be included. But for me, it would be sacrosanct for me to do it, because it didn't feel appropriate to me. It feels like if you're going to do your own thing, do your own thing."

Grey has been doing her own thing as well since stepping away from the spotlight. After appearing in the show "Dancing with the Stars" and winning her season in 2010, Grey was finally having the appreciation and acknowledgment that she wasn't able to enjoy when she was younger. Since then, she's taken on more acting roles including on the TV shows "Red Oaks" and "Grey's Anatomy."  

However, even with the roles she currently has, she remains her character Baby in Hollywood’s hallowed hallways. "Dirty Dancing"'s intense fame has, in some ways, frozen her image as the spunky Frances Houseman who defied her father as she danced her way into everyone’s hearts. 

What do you think of Jennifer Grey's new film? Will you be waiting for the announcement of the title and release date? Let us know your thoughts and be sure to pass this on to other fans of 'Dirty Dancing' so they don't miss out on the potential sequel!