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Jennifer Grey Was Engaged to Johnny Depp & Matthew Broderick in the Same Month Yet Later Married Someone Else

Oyin Balogun
May 17, 2022
06:40 A.M.

Jennifer Grey was engaged to two Hollywood hotshots, Matthew Broderick and Johnny Depp, but married neither. She got married years later to another person uninvolved from her past.

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Actress Jennifer Grey and her back in the day's lover, Matthew Broderick, met one another on the "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" set and started dating.

The couple began dating in 1986 and became engaged without the knowledge of anyone. They two worked together on set but kept their personal lives away from the public.

American actress Jennifer Gray poses for a photo at a party for the premiere of her film "Dirty Dancing" in August 1987 in New York City, New York | Source: Getty Images

American actress Jennifer Gray poses for a photo at a party for the premiere of her film "Dirty Dancing" in August 1987 in New York City, New York | Source: Getty Images

The actress famous for her act in "Dirty Dancing" recalled that in 1987, they were involved in a fatal accident on one of their trips on a rainy day in Ireland.

This near-death experience had two women killed and Broderick, who was in the wheels, badly injured and presumed dead by the actress. She called it the most traumatic event she had ever experienced and that she almost lost her life in that accident.

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According to her, the accident had a long-lasting traumatic effect on her, and she believes it did too in the lives of Broderick and the deceased's families.

Actor Matthew Broderick and actress Jennifer Gray catch a performance of the Broadway play "Burn This" on November 3, 1987 at the Plymouth Theater in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Actor Matthew Broderick and actress Jennifer Gray catch a performance of the Broadway play "Burn This" on November 3, 1987 at the Plymouth Theater in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Grey remembers the accident's aftermath and how helpless she felt when a good samaritan came on the scene, offered her a blanket, and left to call an ambulance. The ambulance came but had to go again to get the equipment they would need to cut the car open and get Broderick out.

After being rescued, Broderick had to undergo surgery immediately. Grey, who was with her boyfriend through this ordeal, retired to a hotel room after two days of looking after him. The actress woke to excruciating pains the following day and could barely move or speak. She recalled that:

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"Tears tumbled out of the corners of my eyes, pooling in me years, and then I whimpered 'I want my mommy'"

Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey during 59th Annual Academy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey during 59th Annual Academy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Following an X-ray, it was discovered she suffered soft tissue damage and severe whiplash throughout her body. Not long after the accident, the couple split. It seemed like the accident seriously impacted their relationship and influenced their breakup.

After the breakup, a waiter opened up to Grey and said he was tired of seeing her teary-eyed and almost punched Broderick in the face one of those days.

ANOTHER HOLLYWOOD MUSE

Actress Jennifer Gray attends the premiere of "Dirty Dancing" on August 17, 1987 at the Gemini Theater in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Actress Jennifer Gray attends the premiere of "Dirty Dancing" on August 17, 1987 at the Gemini Theater in New York City | Source: Getty Images

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Still at the peak of her career and smarting from the pain of her failed relationship with Broderick, Grey gets set up on a blind date by her agent, Tracey.

It felt like Tracey just did Grey a massive favor because the couple looked like they were made in heaven, and Grey was happy. They seemed compatible on all fronts as they loved the same music, songs, food, drinks, and even cigarette!

Actress Jennifer Gray attends 14th Annual People's Choice Awards on March 13, 1988 at 20th Century Fox Studios in Century City, California | Source: Getty Images

Actress Jennifer Gray attends 14th Annual People's Choice Awards on March 13, 1988 at 20th Century Fox Studios in Century City, California | Source: Getty Images

The actress was elated. This was Depp which she remembered watching late at night when she was old enough to, right here, right in her life. He made her feel secure, he was in control, and she loved it. The way he was so funny and made her laugh, in addition to being a good conversationalist.

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The rebound looked too good to be through, like compensation for her last breakup. She described their chemistry as a bonfire. During the holidays, shortly after meeting, Depp proposed to Grey with a diamond ring, and they met one another's family on what she called a "meet-my-fiancee" tour, and they moved in together. In her words:

"At Christmastime, we went on met-my-fiance tour."

Picture of Johnny Depp and Jennifer Gray, on June 17, 1989 | Source: Getty Images

Picture of Johnny Depp and Jennifer Gray, on June 17, 1989 | Source: Getty Images

TROUBLE IN PARADISE

The happy couple's happiness was short-lived when Depp started missing his flights back to LA, getting into bar fights and getting in trouble with the cops. Grey was concerned about his attitude when he eventually did come home. She described him in these words:

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"He'd been crazy jealous and paranoid."

Johnny Depp at the Us Benefit in Los Angeles, California taken May 13, 1988 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Johnny Depp at the Us Benefit in Los Angeles, California taken May 13, 1988 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Not long after, Depp's career began to get a break, and the couple decided to start looking for a home in Hollywood Hills and move from Grey's house in LA.

Good for Depp that his career was looking up, but things were not going so well for his loving girlfriend, Grey. The actress confessed that she was cash strapped, and it was difficult getting roles until her mother gave her an idea.

Johnny Depp during Decline of Western Civilization Part 2: The Metal Years Premiere at Cinerama Dome on June 01, 1988 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Johnny Depp during Decline of Western Civilization Part 2: The Metal Years Premiere at Cinerama Dome on June 01, 1988 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

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Grey was advised to "fix her nose" and make her look more attractive to clinch roles and better her fortunes. She made an appointment with a surgeon, and after her 29th birthday, she was scheduled to go under the knife.

A few days before her birthday, the actress flew in from NY to be with her man in Hollywood. Depp left the hotel room for a meeting and did not return in a long while.

Actor Johnny Depp attends the 18th Annual US Golden Eagle Awards on May 13, 1988 at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Actor Johnny Depp attends the 18th Annual US Golden Eagle Awards on May 13, 1988 at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

The exasperated actress left a note on the bedside. She said: "I left a note on a bed saying I was done." The couple broke up after being together for nine months.

AFTER THE BREAKUPS AND HEARTBREAKS

Jennifer Gray attends the Center Theater Group's "A Play Is a Poem" opening night performance at Mark Taper Forum on September 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Jennifer Gray attends the Center Theater Group's "A Play Is a Poem" opening night performance at Mark Taper Forum on September 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

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After walking away from two relationships that she was uncomfortable with, Grey realized that both actors had engaged her in one month!

The realization did not only hit her concerning her relationships; she confessed that she had suffered consequences of bad decision making, including altering her nose.

 Jennifer Gray attends Kenny Ortega being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Jennifer Gray attends Kenny Ortega being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

She also acknowledged that she had a growing relationship with a higher power and was on her way to a fresh start. Boom! Grey is suddenly on the screens again. Her career takes an upward pace, it seemed like the "Dirty Dancing" star could not be ignored for long, or a scheduled guest had disappointed the organizers.

Grey, who has moved on with her life when asked about Depp, explained that she has never met or spoken to him again after breaking up. Finally, after two broken engagements, Grey gets married to her lover- Clark Gregg, an actor, and screenwriter.

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Clark Gregg, Stella Gregg and Jennifer Gray attend Marvel Studios 'Captain Marvel' Premiere on March 04, 2019 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Clark Gregg, Stella Gregg and Jennifer Gray attend Marvel Studios 'Captain Marvel' Premiere on March 04, 2019 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

The two met and started dating and eventually married in 2001 at Martha's vineyard. The couple has a daughter together- Stella.

Unfortunately, the couple split after 19 years of marriage and announced in a joint statement six months after the divorce that they remain cordial family members and would always love and cherish the years spent together.

The actress is on good terms with her ex-husband, and they both are dedicated parents to their 18-year-old daughter.

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