Actress Jennifer Grey, who soared to stardom in the beloved 1987 film Dirty Dancing, has made the sad announcement of her mom's death. Writing movingly on Instagram, Grey, 66, explained, "My mother, Jo Wilder, passed away on July 4th at 94 — by her own choosing, on her own terms, exactly as she lived. A week earlier, she learned she had lung cancer. True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy."
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Wilder's former husband and Jennifer Grey's dad is actor Joel Grey of Cabaret. He and Wilder were married from 1958 to 1982. They also have a son, James.
Jo Wilder Was "Brave and Deep"
From he daughter's loving tribute, it seems that Wilder was an accomplshed, amazing person. Grey went on, "She was gorgeous and talented — a promising young actress on the New York stage in her youth. She used to say she never fully answered that calling; she became a mother instead."
Furthermore, Grey added, " 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."
She ended her post with these affectionate words. "She was brave and deep. I love you, Mom. Thank you for showing me how to do it all, even this, with grace."
A carousel of lovely vintage pics of Jo Wilder in happy, long-ago times accompanied Jennifer Grey's post. She was truly beautiful.
Other Stars Wrote Supportive Comments
Grey's words touched a deep chord in other well-known actresses. Actually, she received an outpouring of love and kindness from so many established stars.
In fact, Tracy Pollan, the wife of Michael J. Fox, compassionately wrote, "What a moving tribute. I am thinking of you and the radiant Jo Wilder today. I feel so blessed to have had your beautiful mother in my life. I will cherish my memories of her warmth, love, and guidance. So heartbroken she is gone, but grateful she left us with the dignity she lived with. I love you both."
Additionally, from Mary Stuart Masterson came this. "What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful mama. Even when it happens with such grace, it is a seismic recalibrating of your world. Sending love to you, Jennifer."
Lea Thompson weighed in with the following. "A beautiful tribute. I love you so much. Your mom was the best."
Bernadette Peters added her sympathy. "Oh Jennifer I'm so sorry"
Others who wrote to Grey to express their sorrow included Katie Couric, Richard Marx, Debbie Gibson, Rachel Zegler, and many more as well.
