Cynthia Rhodes, known for her iconic roles in Staying Alive and Dirty Dancing, is a legendary figure in 1980s dance dramas. As she approaches her 68th birthday in November 2024, it’s worth reflecting on why this Hollywood triple threat chose to retire at the peak of her career.
Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and began her career with a small part in the 1980 film Xanadu, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Her breakout came with her portrayal of Tina Tech in Flashdance, followed by a significant role in Staying Alive, where she played the love interest of John Travolta.
However, it was her unforgettable performance as Penny Johnson in Dirty Dancing that solidified her status in Hollywood. In this role, she captivated audiences with her Mambo dancing alongside Patrick Swayze, while also delivering poignant emotional scenes, including the character’s harrowing experience with an illegal abortion.
Rhodes described Penny as a complex character who had endured a tough life, yet retained a sense of sweetness. The film not only showcased her dancing skills but also tackled important social issues, positioning its leads, including Rhodes, for stardom.
Despite her success, Rhodes decided to step back from the industry, citing the physical demands of dance. “Dancing became really hard”, she said, expressing her desire for roles that didn’t involve strenuous movement. “I keep saying I’ll never dance again… my bones hurt, my back hurts all the time”, she explained.
In 1987, the same year Dirty Dancing premiered, Rhodes appeared in Richard Marx’s music video for “Don’t Mean Nothing”. She married Marx in 1989 and welcomed three children: Brandon in 1990, Lucas in 1992, and Jesse in 1994. Marx noted that Rhodes found more fulfillment in motherhood than in her previous career, which she left in 1990 partly due to the intense physical pain from dancing.
Rhodes, who started dancing at the age of three, emphasized her love for it but acknowledged the toll it took on her body. “If I never danced again, I wouldn’t regret it”, she said, highlighting her contentment in focusing on her family.
Her last film appearance was in 1991’s Curse of the Crystal Eye. After divorcing Marx in 2014, she stepped further into her role as a mother, watching her children pursue careers in the arts: Brandon as a music producer, Lucas as a singer and actor, and Jesse as a musician in a metal band. While fans miss seeing Cynthia Rhodes on screen, her decision to leave Hollywood resonates, underscoring the high demands of a career in dance and the joy she found in motherhood.
Kelly Rizzo shows incredible strength in the face of grief
Kelly Rizzo announced her new relationship to the world during a 2024 Grammy Awards viewing party. She has now made her relationship with actor Breckin Meyer official on Instagram.
On Tuesday, the widow of comedian Bob Saget wished her partner a happy birthday on social media, which was their first joint message in the public domain. “Grateful for your birthday! Rizzo, 44, wrote on social media, “To the man who is kind, sweet, silly, thoughtful, completely hilarious, handsome, understanding, charming, forever curious, compassionate, witty, warm & wonderful.” “Today should be spent celebrating you forever!🎂❤️🎉,” she continued.
Actress Jana Kramer replied, “I love this so much,” and actress Caitlin Crosby wrote, “Oh it’s instagram offish!!! 🥰🥰🥰.”
Even though Rizzo didn’t require Bob’s daughters’ approval, it was important to her to have their blessing because it fit her perception of what was right in that circumstance.
The journalist remarked, “It would be wonderful to think that Bob would want me to be happy too, but to hear it from them is just a totally different level.” Simply hearing, “Hey, we trust you,” meant the world to me. We cherish you. We want you to be happy and we believe you’ll do what’s right.
Saget and Rizzo were wed for four years before he passed away in 2022.
About Rizzo’s new partner, Breckin Meyer, he is most recognized for the cult favorite Clueless from the 1990s.In addition, Meyer has produced and written; she was the brains behind Men At Work.
Deborah Kaplan, a filmmaker, and Meyer were previously wed from 2001 to 2014. The couple has two daughters together.
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