When Dirty Dancing hit theaters in August 1987, Jennifer Grey became an instant household name. Her portrayal of Frances “Baby” Houseman — curious, brave, and full of heart — captured audiences around the world and earned her a Golden Globe nomination. It should have been the start of an unstoppable career. But just days before her breakout moment, a tragedy changed everything, leaving a mark that would follow her for years.

Nine days before the film’s U.S. release, Jennifer was vacationing in Northern Ireland with her then-boyfriend, actor Matthew Broderick. During the trip, a devastating car accident occurred when the vehicle Broderick was driving collided with another car head-on. Two people in the other vehicle — a mother and daughter — lost their lives. Broderick sustained serious injuries, and Jennifer suffered severe whiplash. The accident resulted in legal consequences for Broderick and a lifetime of emotional pain for both.

For Jennifer, the timing was shattering. Just as her career was about to soar, she found herself struggling with grief, guilt, and the physical aftermath of the crash. In later interviews, she described feeling unable to celebrate the film’s success, saying it was impossible to reconcile fame with tragedy. The chronic pain from her injuries only deepened her withdrawal, and in the years that followed, she stepped away from the spotlight to focus on healing both body and mind.

Over time, Jennifer Grey has spoken openly about how that chapter reshaped her life. She found resilience through self-reflection and later returned to acting with renewed purpose. Today, Dirty Dancing remains an enduring classic — and her story a testament to strength through hardship. Behind every Hollywood success, there are often untold struggles, and Jennifer’s journey reminds us that even in the face of heartbreak, courage can lead the way forward.