Jennifer Grey is being supported by friends including actor Josh Gad after she announced the death of her mother, Jo Wilder.
The Dirty Dancing actress, 66, revealed on social media she died aged 94 after choosing to spend her final days on “her own terms” following a lung cancer diagnosis.
Jennifer shared the news in an emotional Instagram post, saying Jo died on 4 July after learning only a week earlier that she had lung cancer.
The actress, who is currently preparing to reprise her role as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman in the long-awaited sequel to 1987’s Dirty Dancing film, paid tribute to her mother’s life, describing her as an actress who stepped away from her own career to raise a family with her former husband, Joel Grey.
Jennifer and Joel also share a son, James Katz, whose career is in the culinary industry.
News of Jo’s death prompted messages of support from Jennifer’s friends including Richard E. Grant, Tracy Pollan and Jennifer’s former husband, Clark Gregg.
Jennifer wrote: “My mother, Jo Wilder, passed away on July 4th at 94 – by her own choosing, on her own terms, exactly as she lived.”
She continued: “True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy.”
Jennifer described Jo as a “gorgeous and talented” woman who had been a promising young actress on the New York stage before raising a family.
She said: “If she’d chosen ambition over my brother and me, we never would have had the mother we had. Her passion found other outlets: she was a lifelong activist, fiercely attuned to right and wrong. And for years, many people discovered her extraordinary eye through Wilder Place, her store on Melrose.”
Jennifer added: “She was brave and deep. I love you, Mom. Thank you for showing me how to do it all, even this, with grace.”
Alongside the tribute, Jennifer shared a series of black-and-white and sepia photographs, including images of Jo on her own and with her daughter.
Jennifer’s actor ex-husband, Clark Gregg, posted three heart emojis as a gesture of support, which actor Josh Gad wrote online: “Sending you so much love.”
Friends star Maggie Wheeler is also adding support to Jennifer, writing: “I have been thinking of you so much. I am lucky to have known your beautiful mother through the years of our friendship. She was fierce and kind and curious… and… she was deeply blessed with a daughter who showed her the most unwavering love unwavering support.”
Jennifer has frequently celebrated her mother on social media in recent years.
On Mother’s Day in 2024, she posted a photograph of Jo smiling alongside family members and wrote: “Had the best time today with my brother and this 92-year-old beauty!”
A year earlier, she shared a picture of herself pushing Jo in a wheelchair beside an illuminated “Mom” sign and balloon display, writing: “And it all started with this ol’ bird!”
Jennifer told People in 2022 she spoke to both of her parents every day.
The actress remains best known for starring opposite the late Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, one of the most successful and enduring romantic dramas of the 1980s, as well as in films including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and her winning appearance on Dancing with the Stars.
She is currently working on the forthcoming Dirty Dancing sequel, directed by Jonathan Levine, which will see her return as Baby nearly four decades after the original film.
The sequel, produced by Lionsgate, has remained one of Hollywood’s most closely watched legacy projects.
