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After initially starring alongside Patrick Swayze in the 1984 war dramaRed Dawn, Jennifer Grey admitted to having no desire to work with Swayze ever again. Having the worst time of her life enduring his pranks and work ethic while sharing the screen for the John Milius’ movie, Grey recalled being hesitant to star alongside him inDirty Dancing.
Appearing onThe Viewin 2022, Jennifer Grey reflected on her negative experience working with Patrick Swayze inRed Dawn. Thereafter, justifying the reason behind her hesitation to work with Swayze again inDirty Dancing, Grey recalled how the late actor had convinced her to change her mind after the screen test.
Jennifer Grey refused to work with Patrick Swayze inDirty Dancing
Beginning their onscreen collaboration in the 1984 action filmRed Dawn,Jennifer Greyand Patrick Swayze had become the iconic duo of Hollywood. But while fans cherished their onscreen chemistry, Grey recalled having the worst experience of her life with the late actor. And thereon, her 1984 experience even impacted her decision prior to reuniting with Swayze inDirty Dancing.
Patrick Swayze Was Fed Up of Co-Star’s Mood Swings During “Horrifyingly, hypothermically cold” Lake Scene in 1987 Cult-Hit
Appearing onThe View(viaThe Independent), Jennifer Grey explained that she hadn’t enjoyed working with Patrick Swayze onRed Dawn.It was particularly due to his practical pranks and work ethic on set, that left Grey irritated by the end of their drama. And later on, this very experience made her hesitant to star opposite Swayze in the 1987 romantic drama,Dirty Dancing.
Patrick was playing pranks on me and everybody. [He was] late and the boss of everybody and it was just, like, macho and I just couldn’t take it. I was just like, ‘Please, this guy, that’s enough with him.’
Therefore, after the brutal filming experience with Patrick Swayze, when Jennifer Grey learned that she would have to star alongside him inDirty Dancing, the actress immediately refused the offer. Admitting to be hesitant when Swayze’s name was suggested for the 1987 movie, Grey had almost stolen the actor’s opportunity to showcase his dancing skill onscreen.
Patrick Swayze offered a tearful apology to Jennifer Grey during screen test
Speaking on the talk show, Jennifer Grey mentioned how producers and the director were trying to convince her to let them castPatrick Swayze. However, Grey claimed to be adamant about her decision not to share the screen ever again, with the late star. But thankfully, after enough nagging and persuasion, Grey agreed to appear for a screen test.
[I said] No, no, no. They said, ‘Oh no, but he’s a dancer.’ I know he’s a dancer, I’ve heard the whole story, I’ve heard all about the dancing.
Although Jennifer Grey initially opposed having Patrick Swayze sign on opposite her inDirty Dancing, things changed during their screen test. After the actress agreed to do the chemistry read with the actor, Swayze apparently took the opportunity to apologize with honest tears in his eyes.
He pulled me down the hall and said to me, ‘I love you, I love you and I’m so sorry. And I know you don’t want me to do the movie,’ He got the tears in his eyes. And I got the tears in my eyes, not for the same reason.
I was like, ‘Oh, this guy’s working me.’ And he goes, ‘We could kill it. We could kill it if we did this’ and I was like, ‘OK, honey.’ We go in there and he takes me in his arms and I was like, ‘Oh, boy. I’m done.’ There was no competition.
After receiving a heartfelt apology from Patrick Swayze, who was desperate to appear inDirty Dancing,Jennifer Grey’s tune soon changed as she realized they had the chemistry required for the film to become a smashing success. Thereafter, Grey played Frances “Baby” Houseman, whose life changed after meeting Swayze’s sexy, enigmatic dance instructor Johnny Castle, in the 1987 movie.
Dirty Dancingis currently available to watch on Peacock.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3216
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
