Jennifer Grey Still Blasted for Nose Job Decades after Surgery — Single Mom Just Thrives in ‘Dream Job’ Living in LA

• Jennifer Grey was "not considered pretty" back in the day.
• She went through nose surgeries twice following a road crash with her ex-boyfriend.
• She found support and love from her daughter after enduring those challenging times.

Jennifer Grey is one of the most brilliant women in Hollywood today. However, the actress's journey in the entertainment industry took a dramatic turn after her breakout role in a popular 1980s film.

In the early stages of her acting career, she had the incredible opportunity to be paired with one of the most handsome actors on the big screen. But a car crash and a surgical cosmetic procedure later changed her life.

Grey has an impressive career in the industry with captivating roles in notable films. Some highlights include her thrilling performances in the 1984 films "Red Dawn" and "The Cotton Club," as well as her inspiring role in 1985's "American Flyers."

In the 1987 hit film "Dirty Dancing," Grey reached new heights. She portrayed Frances "Baby" Houseman, the youngest daughter of a wealthy Jewish family.

At just 27, Grey took on this iconic role in the coming-of-age movie. Opposite her was the late actor Patrick Swayze, who played the charismatic dance instructor Johnny Castle. Grey's on-screen chemistry with Swayze was undeniable, adding to the film's allure and success.

The movie broke away from conventional Hollywood beauty standards, and Grey's portrayal of the character earned her immense admiration worldwide. She recalled in a May 2022 ABC interview that she "was not considered pretty" back in the day.

She mentioned that her appearance would not have grabbed Swayze's attention back then. However, she managed to secure the role, earned a lot from the film, and gained fame and success.

Grey's success is no surprise considering her family background. With such talented parents, it's no wonder the actress seamlessly inherited their remarkable acting skills.

However, along with their acting skills, the family also ingrained in Grey the societal pressure to conform to beauty standards. She remembered how most of her relatives had nose enhancements. Grey said:

"My dad had changed his nose, my mom had changed her nose, my grandmother had changed her nose, [and] my aunt. It was a thing..."

Consequently, she found herself following in their footsteps. And over three decades later, the "Dirty Dancing" star is still part of the conversation when it comes to botched nose jobs.

According to Grey, plastic surgery at 29 was not her choice, and she became unrecognizable at public outings after she went under the knife.

The 63-year-old actress is now single, living in LA, and loving her "dream job" as the mother of her grown-up daughter. She is also a doting, supportive daughter to her famous father.

The Tragic Accident and Criticisms That Shaped Jennifer Grey's Career

The single mom has been thriving in LA for quite some time now. Despite Grey's enduring fame, an unfortunate accident, family expectations, and insecurities marred her path to success.

During the mid-'80s, Grey was embroiled in a car crash in Ireland with her then-boyfriend, actor Matthew Broderick. This took place while Grey was in the midst of finalizing and launching the movie "Dirty Dancing."

As a consequence of the collision, two other women— a mother and a daughter— traveling in a separate vehicle colliding with Broderick and Grey's car tragically lost their lives.

Broderick was convicted of careless driving, and Grey suffered severe pain that would have long-term consequences for her health. Grey opened up in a 2017 TLC show that she had a "very bad seatbelt injury."

She has also experienced occasional neck and shoulder discomforts and headaches that lasted for days. On one occasion, she woke up, got in the shower, and then returned to her bed with some shampoo still in her hair because of the pain.

The actress admitted that the car crash was her "top one" trauma in her life. Recalling the event, she said she was the sole witness to the incident. Broderick survived but was unconscious, had amnesia, and was severely injured.

The tragedy profoundly affected Grey's life, and no one was to blame. Despite assumptions that she might be revealing a hidden secret, she clarified that it was simply an accident.

The mishap had significant and enduring traumatic consequences for herself, Broderick, the other women involved, and their families. Grey's appearance also suffered.

In 1989, she underwent her first minor nose surgery, but unfortunately, it was poorly performed. A few years later, she decided to have another round of a similar procedure, hoping for better results.

However, the outcome of her second nose surgery left her unrecognizable. When she made her first public appearance at a movie premiere, even her industry friends, including actor Michael Douglas, couldn't recognize her.

Grey also had the unfortunate experience of being publicly shamed due to her unrecognizable appearance. She vividly remembered an incident involving a woman at an airline checkout counter who she claimed "attacked" her.

Grey admitted she felt "completely invisible" after she changed her appearance. She expressed her lifelong defiance against society's beauty standards and frustrations and later blamed her mother, saying:

"I was so upset with my mother for always telling me I should do my nose. I really thought it was capitulating."

She perceived the act as a form of surrender to the opposing side, feeling that it meant giving in. She firmly believed that she was already sufficient and did not need to alter her appearance, affirming her own beauty.

When reminiscing about her childhood, Grey portrayed herself as a sponge, absorbing her mother's energy and basking in praise. She described her mother as the "voice" of her inner darkness and self-attack. Initially, she resented her own mom, but she later believed her unchanged looks hindered her from securing roles in TV shows and movies.

Since her influential mother worked in show business, Grey believed her mom understood the industry and her experience could provide valuable guidance to her. She also believed her mom wanted her to have a better life.

Despite her past cosmetic surgeries being an unfortunate experience she did not anticipate, Grey has acquired valuable lessons throughout her journey of acceptance. Nevertheless, she is still blasted for her botched nose job decades after surgery.

On Twitter last year, Grey's name surfaced in a discussion about models getting "new ugly nose[s]," citing the actress as an example of "a lovely young girl with a bright future, until they fixed her up."

Back in 2018, a tweet mentioned liking Reese Witherspoon's chin as well as Grey's nose in "Dirty Dancing," until she changed it.

Through Grey's memoir, Stella realized what her mom went through in the early days of her career.

Just this year in May, one tweet brought up people who looked unrecognizable after a nose job and singled Grey as an example.

Through the years, Grey's has been subject to scrutiny, picked apart, and even used as an adjective to describe the cosmetic surgeries of other celebrities. Despite the backlash from netizens, she appears unfazed.

Jennifer Grey Embraces Singlehood & Motherhood, and Thrives in Career Opportunities

After enduring a lengthy period of regret, trauma, and pain, Grey has appeared to achieve a sense of individuality and confidence by embracing singlehood and seizing new career opportunities.

Grey made headlines in 2020 when she announced her divorce from her husband, actor Clark Gregg, on Instagram. She also disclosed that they had been separated in January of that year.

The couple had been married for 19 years. Despite their decision to split, Grey shared that they had approached the end of their long-term relationship with a tremendous amount of love and care.

She expressed her pride in how they navigated a situation not commonly seen in the world. She also revealed that her love for Gregg had never been stronger, and she felt immense gratitude towards him.

The couple shares a daughter, actress Stella Gregg, whom Grey welcomed when she was 41. Stella has appeared in the TV show "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" and the film "Trust Me."

Stella is now in her 20s, and Grey recently revealed in an EW interview that Stella had watched "Dirty Dancing" but disliked it, particularly seeing her dancing with another man.

Stella has read Grey's memoir, "Out of the Corner," where she featured her experiences in the classic film, which has reportedly received a new sequel of its own that Grey will be producing.

Through Grey's memoir, Stella realized what her mom went through in the early days of her career. Grey mentioned that her daughter became proud of her, and this remark was the best thing she received from her daughter.

Becoming a mother has truly changed Grey for the better. She used to think that being a mother meant sacrificing her own dreams, but she has come to understand that it involves so much more than that. She said:

"It turned out that being a mother was actually my dream job. I love it more than anything..."

Grey believes her memoir is a valuable guide for her daughter, imparting essential life skills. Rather than promoting perfectionism, Grey chooses to lead by example and be a role model for her daughter.

Grey also opens up about her relationship with her famous parents: her mother, Jo Wilder, a former actress, and her father, Joel Grey, renowned for winning both Tony and Oscar awards.

In 2015, at 82 years old, Grey's father publicly came out as gay. According to Grey, this revelation was like a "sniper attack," but she has since realized that her father has the right to own his sexuality and express it on his terms.

Grey said she was clueless about what anyone else was thinking then. However, she mentioned that her mom might have been offended by the lack of transparency.

The actress also shared something about her father, expressing that he considered Wilder to be the love of his life, and she believed the same.

In a 2016 interview with Playbill, Joel revealed he never disclosed his sexuality to Wilder but he was "totally in love" with her. To keep his sexuality a secret at the time was the actor's decision because he wanted a career, a family, and children.

Despite the revelations about her father, Grey has acknowledged the blend of challenges and privileges she has experienced within the family. She also appreciated having supportive parents who exposed her to art and culture, which have greatly influenced her.

In a heartfelt Instagram post on Mother's Day in 2022, Grey paid tribute to her mother, who is now in her 90s. She expressed deep gratitude for having the former actress as her mom and cherished their special bond.

At the recent 2023 Tony Awards Pre-Show, Grey expressed her appreciation for her father, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Concluding her tribute, she brought her father to the stage, declaring him "my hero," which elicited a standing ovation.

In a touching moment during his speech, the esteemed actor shared his heartfelt sentiments about his daughter, referring to her as "my beauty, my sweetness," and thanked her for her sweet words.

Not only did Grey and her award-winning dad share sweet moments on stage, but they also provided a glimpse of their bond before the event.

On Instagram, Grey shared a delightful selfie with her famous dad inside the car. The snap left many followers adoring the pair's closeness.

Many users complimented the actress's beautiful presence and her dad's dashing aura, while another user remarked on their good looks. Meanwhile, another deemed their photo "priceless."