We have very sad news about one of the most beloved actresses of the ’80s, Jennifer Grey…

Jennifer Grey continued dancing well beyond her iconic role in *Dirty Dancing*. She even triumphed on *Dancing with the Stars* in 2011, although the journey was not without its challenges. During the competition, Grey faced severe pain and even feared she wouldn’t be able to finish. The morning of the finals, she called a close friend in tears, unable to cope with the pain. Grey later shared her experience with neck surgeon Dr. Robert Bray and revealed the agony she endured.

Before participating in the competition, Grey admitted on *Good Morning America* that she had doubts about her ability to dance due to her condition. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with a serious neck issue—a slipped disc, sometimes called a herniated or ruptured disc, which meant the tissue around her spine was pressing on nerves. This was not the only health challenge she was dealing with; she also discovered she had been battling thyroid cancer for over four years.

Grey shared with *USA Today* that after examining her spine, her doctor informed her she should not be driving and said, “You’re lucky you’re not paralyzed; your head is hanging off your spine, which is why you’ve been in pain for 20 years.” Dr. Bray confirmed that her neck had a 30-degree angulation, which had caused her pain for years.

Steroid injections helped alleviate the pain enough for her to compete in the final dance. The routines were short, and she was cleared to perform after a medical examination the day before.

The year 2010 was particularly intense for Grey, as she underwent four neck surgeries. The first surgery involved a plate being placed in her neck, and the second surgery was to remove her thyroid to treat cancer.

A slipped disc can lead to symptoms such as back pain, tingling or numbness in the shoulders, and difficulty straightening the back. Pressure on the sciatic nerve can also cause leg, hip, or buttock pain and muscle weakness. To ease the pain, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and paracetamol can help, although paracetamol alone might not be sufficient. The NHS advises staying active and gradually increasing your activity level to speed up recovery. If pain becomes severe, rest may be necessary, but light exercise should be resumed as soon as possible.

Grey’s struggles started after a serious car accident in 1987, which left her with chronic neck pain that persisted for decades.