Cynthia Rhodes, celebrated for her roles in iconic dance films like "Dirty Dancing," "Flashdance," and "Staying Alive," captured the hearts of many with her remarkable talents as a singer, actress, and dancer. However, at the height of her career, she stepped away from the limelight, leaving fans curious about her life beyond Hollywood. This article explores Rhodes' journey, from her rise to fame to her life as a devoted mother and private individual.
Early Life and Career
Born on November 21, 1956, Cynthia Rhodes began dancing at the age of three and started training professionally at sixteen. Her dedication led her to train tirelessly, even aiming for the Olympics with an intense routine of eight hours a day. Rhodes' dancing prowess eventually led her to Hollywood, where she would star in several iconic roles.
Rhodes made a name for herself as a talented actress. Raised in a religious family, she aimed to maintain a clean-cut image, often turning down scripts that required nudity. She played a small role in the fantasy musical Xanadu (1980). In 1982 she appeared in a video production called "The Tubes Video" directed by Russell Mulcahy and choreographed by Kenny Ortega. This 52-minute long-form music video featured Rhodes as one of three backup dancers for the San Francisco-based rock band The Tubes and includes hits such as "Talk to You Later", "Sushi Girl", "Sports Fans" and "Mondo Bondage".
While "Dirty Dancing" remains one of her most celebrated projects, Rhodes also shone in films such as "Runaway," "Staying Alive," and "Flashdance." Rhodes explained that dancing became “really hard” after training 10 hours a day for the role of Penny. “That’s why I keep saying I’m never going to dance again. I’m tired of dancing…My bones are hurting, my back hurts all the time,” Rhodes said. “It seems like every time I say, ‘That’s it, I don’t want to dance anymore,’ I get another film. I’m not going to turn down work! I feel very fortunate to be in films that are dancing. “The thing was, I used to never be sore. In fact, I was a gymnast. And now it’s sort of frustrating…I never used to stretch. Now I have to stretch before I dance.
Her next role was as Tina Tech in the musical film Flashdance. After Flashdance, Rhodes was cast opposite John Travolta in Sylvester Stallone's 1983 film Staying Alive, a sequel to the 1977 hit film Saturday Night Fever. Rhodes's character, Jackie, was an ensemble dancer, bar band singer, and sometime love interest of Travolta's character. Rhodes garnered her first non-dance related role in Michael Crichton's 1984 science fiction thriller Runaway with Tom Selleck, Kirstie Alley and Gene Simmons. Her most notable role was as dance instructor Penny Johnson in the hit 1987 motion picture Dirty Dancing with Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.
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Rhodes also appeared as a dancer in a number of music videos, including "Rosanna" by the band Toto, "The Woman in You" by the Bee Gees, and "Don't Mean Nothing" by Richard Marx. She was a dancer for the glam rock band The Tubes when they toured in the early 1980s. Rhodes later joined the pop group Animotion, replacing their lead singer Astrid Plane, for the recording of their third album of original material. Though the group's single "Room to Move" (from the film My Stepmother Is an Alien) rose to No. 9 on the Billboard charts, the album failed to match the group's earlier success, peaking at only No.
Marriage to Richard Marx
After her rise to fame in Hollywood, Rhodes met and married celebrated singer Richard Marx, known for hits like "Now and Forever" and "Satisfied," he has also sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. The two first crossed paths in 1983. Despite their seven-year age difference, their love blossomed over time. Initially, they didn't hit it off, but two years later, their connection deepened, and they began dating. After a few years together, they tied the knot in 1989.
Their love story captivated many. In an interview, Marx revealed that Rhodes was the inspiration behind his hit song "Right Here Waiting." He wrote the song for her when they were still dating, during a time when she had traveled to South Africa to shoot a film. "It was the fastest song I wrote, in barely 20 minutes. And this was the time when there was no Skype and social networking, so I had to ship the track to her," he shared.
A few years into their marriage, the two decided to leave the bright lights of Los Angeles behind and settle down in Chicago. This move marked a new chapter in their lives, one focused on family and personal fulfillment. As Rhodes embraced her role as a stay-at-home mom, she dedicated herself to raising their three sons. The couple's decision to prioritize family over career endeared them even more to their fans, who followed their journey with keen interest. Despite the demands of parenthood, Rhodes and Marx managed to maintain a semblance of normalcy away from the public eye. Their life together in Chicago seemed idyllic, a perfect blend of love, family, and private contentment.
“I thought, ‘This won’t last, she’s definitely going to want to come back to work and do films. Brandon is now a music producer and singer, Lucas is a singer and actor with appearances in the TV series The Chicago Code, The Mob Doctor, Chicago P.D, and Parenthood. Rhodes hasn’t looked back.
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Divorce and Later Life
However, after more than two decades of marriage, things took an unexpected turn. The seemingly perfect union between Rhodes and Marx came to an end after 25 years when they announced their divorce in 2014. The news shocked many who had followed their journey and admired their commitment to each other and their family.
While the reasons for their separation remained largely private, Marx later spoke about the split, and how it had affected him. "It has been a painful time," he acknowledged. He expressed respect and affection for Rhodes despite their separation. "What I will say is that I had the great fortune and blessing to not only be married to Cynthia for all those years but to just share her company," he said. He went on to express gratitude for their time together and their family, thanking Rhodes and calling her "an amazing person."
A year after their divorce, Marx found love again and remarried Daisy Fuentes in 2015. However, fans couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between Fuentes and Rhodes. Marx occasionally pays tribute to Fuentes on Instagram, celebrating special moments such as anniversaries. This has led fans to compare Fuentes to Rhodes, with many noting their similar looks. One fan commented on a post, "She reminds me of Cynthia when she is sitting on the bed." Another fan couldn't help but compliment Marx for having Fuentes by his side, writing, "You have such a beautiful wife, inside and out." The grammy-award winner, who often gushes about Fuentes, once revealed, "I'm in love in the most freeing way I've ever experienced. It's a beautiful thing."
Since her divorce, Rhodes has largely remained out of the public eye and less is known about her love life. However, in 2023, she made a rare appearance on author Randal Kenneth Jones' page. They shared a photo together while promoting his book, "Ruby," in which Jones revealed that the main character was inspired by Rhodes. Her rare appearances and occasional photos on social media have only fueled curiosity about her life post-Hollywood.
Legacy
Choosing a life of quiet seclusion, Rhodes has embraced her privacy, a stark contrast to her days in the limelight. Her journey from a celebrated star to a devoted mother and then to a private individual reflects her resilience and commitment to her values. As we delve into the rare glimpses of her current life, it becomes clear that Rhodes has found a new kind of contentment away from the cameras and the spotlight.
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Cynthia Rhodes' impact extends beyond her roles in iconic films. Her dedication to maintaining a clean-cut image, her talent as a dancer, singer, and actress, and her commitment to her family have all contributed to her enduring legacy. While she may no longer be in the spotlight, her contributions to the world of entertainment and her personal journey continue to inspire and intrigue fans around the world.
"Dirty Dancing": More Than Just a Movie
Released on August 21, 1987, "Dirty Dancing" became a phenomenon, grossing nearly $215 million worldwide. The film's sensual choreography, oldies soundtrack, and message of defying societal norms resonated with audiences.
Lasting Appeal
Swayze believed the film's enduring appeal stemmed from its heart. "It’s got so much heart, to me,” he said. “It’s not about the sensuality; it’s really about people trying to find themselves-this young dance instructor feeling like he’s nothing but a product, and this young girl trying to find out who she is in a society of restrictions when she has such an amazing take on things. On a certain level, it’s really about the fabulous, funky little Jewish girl getting the guy because [of] what she’s got in her heart.”
Music and More
Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes sang the vocals to the Oscar-winning song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” Medley initially turned the song down, thinking the movie sounded like a "bad porno movie," but later agreed. The song sold more than 500,000 copies.
Other Ventures
A "Dirty Dancing" TV series lasted for only 11 episodes beginning in the fall of 1988, CBS even used “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” for the show’s opening credits. For two seasons between 2007 and 2008, the UK’s Living network aired a reality show called Dirty Dancing: The Time of Your Life, in which groups of dancers competed for a year-long contract with Bloc, a Los Angeles-based dance agency. The series took place at Virginia’s Mountain Lake Lodge, where much of the original movie was filmed. Mountain Lake Lodge hosts regular Dirty Dancing-themed weekends a year. Dinners, a sock hop, a screening of the movie, a watermelon toss, group dance lessons, and a Dirty Dancing scavenger hunt are just some of the many activities on the agenda.
Cultural Impact
Bergstein wrote the script to Dirty Dancing, and in 1995 she had the opportunity to direct as well. She wrote and directed Let It Be Me, starring Jennifer Beals and Campbell Scott. Bergstein talked about the movie’s popularity with people in the former Eastern Bloc. “And in Russia, it’s policy in the battered women’s shelters, when a woman comes in for help. First, they wash and dress her wounds, then they give her soup. Then they sit her down and show her Dirty Dancing. When the Berlin Wall came down, there were all these pictures of kids wearing Dirty Dancing T-shirts; they were saying, ‘We want to have what they have in the West! We want Dirty Dancing!'”
Jennifer Grey's Perspective
Thirty-five years after "Dirty Dancing," Jennifer Grey reflects on her experiences in Hollywood. Her memoir, "Out of the Corner," explores her journey, including her early success, a car crash that derailed her career, and multiple cosmetic surgeries.
Early Career and "Dirty Dancing"
Grey found early success in the mid-80s with "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" and "Dirty Dancing." She filmed the movie when she was just 27. “I’m thinking: ‘Oh my God, the Catskills, my grandfather, I love to dance but I’m not great at it …’ It also felt like a bit of a time warp. I was playing a virgin and I didn’t even remember what it was like to be an innocent person.”
The Car Crash
Grey's upward trajectory was suddenly derailed by a car crash in Ireland that occurred between "Dirty Dancing's" completion and release. Her then boyfriend and "Ferris Bueller" co-star, Matthew Broderick, was behind the wheel; the car they were travelling in collided head on with another, killing two women. Broderick was convicted of careless driving and Grey was left with severe whiplash that would affect her for years to come. Soon after, a whirlwind rebound period saw her engaged to Broderick and Johnny Depp within the same month. In the 90s, surgery designed to correct a small imperfection from a previous rhinoplasty operation left her unrecognisable.
Social Justice and "Dirty Dancing"
"Dirty Dancing" features a subplot that is unfortunately still relevant; Johnny’s former partner Penny (Cynthia Rhodes) struggles to gain access to a safe abortion. “I was brought up in this extremely liberal feminist household,” Grey says. “Social justice was front and centre.“It was unthinkable to us in the 80s that there was ever a time where women didn’t have the constitutional right to choose whether they wanted to bear children. What we’ve been watching this year is almost like an avalanche. You think: ‘This can’t be happening.’ When I wrote in the book about how I had abortions, I remember my editor saying, ‘Maybe you should take that out.’ I said ‘No. I won’t take it out but I’m not going to get into it, either.’ Nobody wants to have an abortion. It’s a heavy thing.”
Relationship with Patrick Swayze
Dirty Dancing also gave us the image of Swayze holding Grey aloft during the film’s climactic dance finale. In fact, thanks to an awkward first encounter on Milius’s 1984 action film Red Dawn, Grey and Swayze didn’t exactly get on. “Patrick was a really good guy and really cared about me. He was always there for me and I would’ve done anything for him … but we were also a little oil and water,” says Grey, suggesting that this “crackle” ultimately added to the film’s onscreen chemistry. “The difference was beautiful because it created a kind of static,” she adds. “There’s a push and pull. We were both trying to assert ourselves.”
The Lift
Funnily enough, it was the lift that Grey was most nervous to shoot, even more so than her love scenes. “I’d never done it before that moment,” she says. “They had three cameras going and we only did it once. It was ridiculous because I couldn’t rehearse it. I couldn’t make myself do it and I hated myself for not trying it.“There was something really emotional about it, too.