Jennifer Grey Dishes on Working With Patrick Swayze in ‘Dirty Dancing’ — “I Had the Time of My Life!”
Nearly 30 years after Dirty Dancing hit theaters, Jennifer Grey has candidly opened up about working with her late co-star Patrick Swayze in the 1987 film.
“I had the time of my life,” the 57-year-old actress exclusively gushed to Closer Weekly at a recent event in Beverly Hills, CA. “And Patrick really had his heart in it.”
MORE: See the Original Cast of ‘Dirty Dancing’ Then and Now!
The pair — who portrayed sheltered Baby and worldly dance instructor Johnny in the blockbuster — were similarly opposites in real life. “He was a great dancer and he was fearless,” Jennifer said of Patrick, who sadly died at age 57 in 2009 from pancreatic cancer.
Patrick and Jennifer in Dirty Dancing.
Despite their differences, the two pulled it together while onscreen for a performance that would be remembered decades later. “His fearlessness with my fearfulness — it was like a marriage where you have two opposites,” she explained. “He would do anything and I would be scared to do anything. [But] he was really strong and very protective of me.” So sweet!
Jennifer similarly spoke out about her Dirty Dancing role in a 2015 interview — and revealed the iconic lift she shared with Patrick was barely rehearsed! “I only did it on the day I shot it,” she confessed.
“Never rehearsed it, never done it since. I don’t know how all these people who reenact it have the guts to throw themselves into the arms of anyone other than Patrick Swayze. It’s insane!” Jennifer continued.
MORE: See How Old the Cast of ‘Dirty Dancing’ Was While Filming the Movie!
When asked if she’d ever try to recreate the lift, Jennifer quipped, “It happened, enjoy it, watch [the movie] over and over again but never ask me to do it again because I’m too f—ing old. I have a family and I want to live longer.” Too funny!
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