'Dirty Dancing' Star Cynthia Rhodes Quit Her Life As A Movie Star For Something More Important

Jan 04, 2024

Born in November 1956 in Nashville, Tennessee, Cynthia Rhodes became one of the biggest performers in the 1980s because of her alluring looks and world-class talent. 

She began the entertainment business by working as a singer and dancer at Opryland USA while attending Glencliff High School in the 1970s. Growing up in a conservative family, Rhodes turned down promiscuous roles in films and even refused offers to pose for Playboy Magazine at the time. But before her acting took the spotlight, it was Rhodes’ talent in dancing that captured the hearts and minds of everyone. Her remarkable skills paved the way for her to become a sought-after choreographer and eventually led her to the big screen.

Rhodes is best known for her iconic role as Penny Johnson in the 1987 classic “Dirty Dancing.” Set against the backdrop of a summer resort in the 1960s, the film became a cultural phenomenon, and Rhodes’ performance added a layer of depth to the storyline. As Johnny Castle’s, played by Patrick Swayze, dance partner, her character faced the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy, highlighting important social issues with grace and resilience. Rhodes brought authenticity to her role, making Penny a memorable and beloved character in the hearts of audiences worldwide.

Although she had appeared in a handful of movies in the past, it was “Dirty Dancing” that people identified Rhodes from. However, that movie also marked the last notable movie that she starred in because she exchanged the limelight for something more important. Read on to learn more about Rhodes and why she quit dancing and Hollywood. 

Rhodes began her journey as a professional dancer, showcasing her exceptional skills in music videos for high-profile artists such as TOTO and the Bee Gees. Her magnetic stage presence and versatility propelled her from the dance floor to the silver screen, establishing her as a sought-after actress in the 1980s.

Unbeknownst to many, Rhodes was an ensemble dancer in 1980’s “Xanadu,” which starred the late Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Three years later, she bagged the role of Tina Tech in the 1983 film “Flashdance,” a musical drama that celebrated the world of dance and self-discovery. Her energetic and captivating performance marked her arrival in Hollywood. 

In the same year, she gained prominence and became John Travolta’s love interest in the “Saturday Night Fever” sequel, “Staying Alive.” In 1984, she appeared on an episode of “Fantasy Island” and even had her first non-dancing role on “Runaway” with Tom Selleck, Kirstie Alley, and Gene Simmons.

In 1987, she became Penny Johnson in “Dirty Dancing,” opposite Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Eventually, the film became a pop culture phenomenon and has been celebrated and watched by generations that came after. 

“She’s from South Philly and she’s had a rough life… She’s got a sweetness about her but it’s put back because she’s had a hard time, and she has sort of put up a wall.” Rhodes said in an interview in 1987. “And, in the end, I think she finally realizes that life does go on.”

While Rhodes’ life did definitely “go on,” she stopped acting in 1988 after the sleeper action-adventure movie “Curse of the Crystal Eye” after much reflection on her career.  

In a conversation with Kevin Courrier in 1987, Rhodes explained that dancing had become “really hard” for her after training 10 hours a day for the role of Penny in “Dirty Dancing.” 

“That’s why I keep saying I’m never going to dance again. I’m tired of dancing…My bones are hurting, my back hurts all the time,” Rhodes said at the time. “It seems like every time I say, ‘That’s it, I don’t want to dance anymore,’ I get another film. I’m not going to turn down work! I feel very fortunate to be in films that are dancing. But it’s like, give me a chance to do some dramatic work without dancing…Just give me a straight acting part.”

In 1989, Rhodes married Grammy-winning singer Richard Marx after appearing in his music video, “Don’t Mean Nothing.” They had three children, Brandon in 1990, Lucas in 1992, and Jesse in 1994.

While Marx thought that Rhodes’ hiatus was only temporary, his wife decided to quit the limelight altogether, due to the “intense physical pain” demanded by her previous roles.

“I thought, ‘This won’t last, she’s definitely going to want to come back to work and do films. But she found a fulfillment in being a mom that completely dominated any feelings she ever had making a movie.” Marx told Splash Chicago in 2012.

Rhodes, who started dancing when she was as young as three years old, turned out to be happier being a mother of three instead of dancing in the limelight. 

“The thing was, I used to never be sore. In fact, I was a gymnast. And now it’s sort of frustrating…I never used to stretch. Now I have to stretch before I dance. I love to dance, but if I never did it again, I wouldn’t be sorry,” Rhodes revealed.

Are you a fan of Cynthia Rhodes? What was your favorite performance of his? Do you think it was a great decision for her to retire? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones!