‘Dirty Dancing’ star Jennifer Grey says her mother died ‘by her own choosing’ after cancer diagnosis
Jennifer Grey is paying tribute to her mom, Jo Wilder, after sharing that she died last weekend “on her own terms” following a cancer diagnosis.
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On July 7, the “Dirty Dancing” star posted multiple sepia-toned and black-and-white pictures of her mom on Instagram. The post also included adorable childhood photos of her with her mom.
“My mother, Jo Wilder, passed away on July 4th at 94 — by her own choosing, on her own terms, exactly as she lived,” Grey began in the caption.
She revealed that her mother learned she had been diagnosed with lung cancer a week before her death.
“True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy,” Grey explained.
The 66-year-old actor praised her “gorgeous and talented” mom before sharing details about her life. She said Wilder initially wanted to pursue theater in New York but decided to focus on being a mother.
“If she’d chosen ambition over my brother and me, we never would have had the mother we had,” Grey noted.
Although her mother left her passion for acting behind, she still focused on her activism and her Los Angeles store called Wilder Place.
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“She was brave and deep,” Grey added.
To conclude her post, she wrote a brief message to Wilder. She said, “I love you, Mom. Thank you for showing me how to do it all, even this, with grace.”
Famous friends sent their condolences in the comments.
Lea Thompson wrote, “A beautiful tribute. I love you so much. Your mom was the best.”
Holly Robinson Peete commented, “Oh Jennifer what a beautiful tribute for a beautiful woman. Sending you love.”
Grey uploaded photos of Wilder on Instagram periodically over the last few years, including on Mother’s Day.
In May 2023, she shared a picture of her pushing Wilder in a wheelchair beside a balloon display and illuminated sign that read, “Mom.”
“And it all started with this ol’ bird!” Grey playfully wrote in the caption.
A year later, she posted another sweet picture of Wilder. “So lucky to be able to celebrate our dear ol’ mom, Jo Wilder!!” Grey cheered in the caption in May 2024. “Had the best time today with my brother and this 92 year old beauty!”
As Grey mentioned in her post, her mother was an actor, too. She appeared in ‘60s television shows like “The Defenders,” “The Nurses” and “The Detectives,” according to IMDb. She also landed roles in theater productions like “She Loves Me” and “The Merchant of Venice.”
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