Jennifer Grey recently opened up about her tumultuous filming experience with Patrick Swayze during their time on the set of the 1984 film, Red Dawn. The actress, known for later starring alongside Swayze in the beloved film Dirty Dancing, shared some candid recollections during her guest appearance on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast.
One of the most memorable moments Grey recalled involved the filming of their one intimate scene. "We were in this, you know, sleeping bag and he, I guess, was nervous or whatever," Grey explained. She detailed how Swayze came to the scene intoxicated and unprepared, admitting, "He came in drunk and didn’t know his lines. And then it got cut. They said, ‘We’ll come back and reshoot it.’ But, of course, they didn’t.”
The circumstances surrounding the filming were chaotic, to say the least. Grey, who was clearly unsettled, stated, “I was smoking a lot of weed in those days, too, and so I was super paranoid and I was scared.” She explained how her anxiety peaked when she lost sleep the night before due to her neighbors' pranks involving firecrackers. "I didn’t sleep the whole night," she recalled, leading to intense frustration over the scene's expectations.
Grey didn’t shy away from expressing her anger toward Swayze at the time, saying, “I was so angry because I was all self-righteous. How dare you be so unprofessional?” Yet, she also acknowledged the pressure Swayze felt to perform as the film’s commanding presence—especially as the director, John Milius, had instructed him to be the alpha.
With their careers intertwined, it’s no secret grey's initial impressions of Swayze influenced her feelings about appearing with him again on the 1987 set of Dirty Dancing. "By the time the movie was over, I was like, ‘This guy is not professional.’ And then when they started talking about him for Dirty Dancing, I was like, ‘Oh, oh no, anybody but him,’" she confessed.
Despite their challenging beginnings, Grey and Swayze managed to create film magic together with Dirty Dancing,. Grey emphasized how much she respected Swayze and the integrity of their work, stating, “I’ve been adamant about respecting the original, out of respect to Patrick… and the generations of fans.”
The enduring legacy of Red Dawn remains significant too, not just for its daring portrayal of teenage rebellion against invading forces but also for its memorable cast, including Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, and C. Thomas Howell.
By the end of their respective careers, both Grey and Swayze created lasting impacts on the film industry, with Swayze's talent celebrated long after his passing from pancreatic cancer in 2009. Grey underscored the importance of honoring the original work and its aspects with respect, reflecting on the need to create player-centric narratives where fans feel seen and appreciated.
Reflecting on her time filming Red Dawn, Grey noted how her experiences as young actors shaped their career trajectories, often fraught with intense pressure and high expectations. But above all, she emphasizes the warmth and authenticity found when films connect generations through shared experiences.
