Patrick Swayze called his co-star Jennifer Grey a “baby” for her mischievous antics in the no. 1 cult classic enjoyed through the years, Dirty Dancing. The movie spun its way into the hearts of millions, inspiring a generation to cha-cha and mambo like nobody’s business. The success of the movie not only changed the cinema world forever but also launched the leads into significant stardom.
Although the electric chemistry between the two on-screen enthralled the fans, the off-screen friction also didn’t fail to make the headlines. Grey’s habits bothered Swayze so much that he was compelled to write about it in his autobiography, The Time of My Life. The actor also spoke out about his experience of shooting the very famous lake scene from the movie.
Patrick Swayze Hated Jennifer Grey for Her Antics While Shooting Dirty Dancing
The on-screen chemistry between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze would make people believe, that the pair shared the same sweet bond in real life as well. But this wasn’t the case at all, the two fought a lot off-screen, the majority of the time, just because the heavy day of shooting took a toll on them. Patrick Swayze thus explained in his autobiography, The Time of My Life, that especially during those trying moments the actor had no patience or time to entertain Grey’s animated antics. He said,
“We did have a few moments of friction when we were tired or after a long day of shooting—seemed particularly emotional, sometimes bursting into tears if someone criticized her. Other times, she slipped into silly moods, forcing us to do scenes over and over again when she’d start laughing.”
Although someone interfering with Swayze’s ‘work mode’ angered her, he later realized how special the bond they both shared was. Years later, Jennifer Grey also has come out saying,
“I would say, ‘I’m so sorry that I couldn’t just appreciate and luxuriate in who you were, instead of me wishing you were more like what I wanted you to be’,”
Despite frequent conflicts, the actors swiftly mended their differences, recognizing and appreciating each other’s talents and contributions. Their admiration and deep respect for one another’s craft ensued in a rapid reconciliation, that led to both a harmonious working relationship and a beautiful friendship as well.
Also Read: ‘Point Break’ Star Patrick Swayze Couldn’t Steal This 1990 Movie Role from Arnold Schwarzenegger
Patrick Swayze Talked About His Experience While Shooting the Famous Lake Scene
Patrick Swayze, the lead actor in Dirty Dancing, bore the weight of the dance routines, quite literally. He most of the time had to perfectly execute the lifts and spins, and he did, showcasing his dedication to his craft. But one scene in particular that remains etched in people’s hearts is the mesmerizing moment when the duo effortlessly sways surrounded by the serene view inside the lake. Although it was a visual treat for the audience, it wasn’t that much fun for Swayze, he explained,
“It was horrifyingly, hypothermically cold in that lake, and we filmed that scene over and over. And despite the fact that Jennifer was very light, when you’re lifting someone in water, even the skinniest little girl can feel like 500 pounds.”
In addition to that, according to a British report, it was revealed that Swayze heroically pushed through excruciating knee pain while filming the iconic scene for the film as he was going through a knee problem back then. Thus, no matter what he had to go and take an extra step more than the actress to prepare for moments like this throughout the movie, and therefore, had no time to pay attention to Grey’s tantrums.
A reboot of Dirty Dancing featuring Abigail Breslin stepping into the shoes of Baby and Colt Prattes taking on the iconic role of Johnny also came out in 2017, to pay homage to the iconic, and timeless piece of cinema.
The 1987 film Dirty Dancing is now available on Lionsgate Play to stream.
Source: Patrick Swayze’s autobiography: The Time of My Life (via New York Daily News)
