What Happened to Penny in Dirty Dancing? Who Plays Penny in Dirty Dancing?

In “Dirty Dancing” set in 1963, Penny, played by Cynthia Rhodes, faces an unplanned pregnancy, leading to an illegal abortion with severe consequences.
 
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What Happened to Penny in Dirty Dancing?

In the movie “Dirty Dancing,” Penny Johnson is a supporting character and a fellow dancer at the resort where the story takes place. She becomes central to the plot due to an important abortion subplot.

Set in 1963, Penny finds herself facing an unplanned pregnancy after a brief fling with Robbie, a womanizer and employee at the resort. Determined to terminate the pregnancy, she seeks an abortion in a nearby town. However, being financially constrained, she cannot afford a safe and professional procedure.

This is where Frances “Baby” Houseman, the film’s protagonist, becomes involved. Baby, a compassionate and idealistic young woman, learns of Penny’s situation and empathizes with her predicament.

She decides to help Penny by borrowing the money from her father, Dr. Jake Houseman, a well-to-do and conservative physician. Baby lies to her father about needing the money for a different purpose to ensure he doesn’t inquire further.

With the funds secured, Penny undergoes the abortion. Tragically, the procedure is performed under unsafe conditions by an unqualified individual, using a dirty knife and a folding table. As a result, Penny experiences severe complications and is left in immense pain and bleeding.

When Dr. Houseman learns the truth about how his daughter used the money, he does not criticize Penny’s decision to have an abortion. Instead, he is upset with Baby for lying to him and for associating with a group of people he perceives as irresponsible.

This response reflects the conservative societal views of the time, where abortion was heavily stigmatized, and lying was frowned upon. The film addresses the issue of abortion and the challenges faced by women in obtaining safe and legal abortions during that era.

It also delves into the complexities of personal choices, societal expectations, and the need for empathy and support for those facing difficult situations. The abortion subplot was significant in “Dirty Dancing” and provided a backdrop for exploring themes of reproductive rights, societal norms, and the power of personal relationships. It remains an essential part of the movie’s narrative and continues to spark discussions about women’s rights and autonomy over their bodies.

Who Plays Penny in Dirty Dancing?

In the movie “Dirty Dancing,” the character of Penny Johnson, the resort dancer who faces an unexpected pregnancy and a botched abortion, is portrayed by Cynthia Rhodes. Born on November 21, 1956, Cynthia Rhodes is an American actress, singer, and dancer who had a successful career in the entertainment industry during the 1980s.

She is well-known for her roles in several iconic films of that era, including Tina Tech in Flashdance (1983), Jackie in Staying Alive (1983), and Officer Karen Thompson in Runaway (1984).

However, it was her portrayal of Penny Johnson in the hit 1987 motion picture “Dirty Dancing” that remains one of her most notable and memorable roles. Alongside co-stars Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, Cynthia Rhodes delivered a compelling performance as the dance instructor dealing with a difficult situation, contributing to the film’s emotional depth and impact.

After “Dirty Dancing,” Cynthia continued to appear in a few other movies before eventually retiring from the entertainment industry to focus on her personal life, including raising her three sons with her then-husband, singer Richard Marx.

Dirty Dancing Overview

Dirty Dancing is a beloved 1987 American romantic drama dance film with a screenplay written by Eleanor Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb, and directed by Emile Ardolino.

The movie stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, and it revolves around the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey), a young woman who finds herself falling in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze) while vacationing at a resort.

The film’s inspiration came from screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s own childhood experiences. Originally, she had written a screenplay for the Michael Douglas film “It’s My Turn,” but she eventually developed a different story that became the foundation for “Dirty Dancing.”

The script was completed in 1985, but due to management changes at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film faced delays in development. Eventually, Vestron Pictures took over as the production company, with Emile Ardolino as the director and Linda Gottlieb as the producer.

The filming took place in Lake Lure, North Carolina, and Mountain Lake, Virginia, and the movie’s memorable score was composed by John Morris, with dance choreography by Kenny Ortega.

“Dirty Dancing” made its debut at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 1987, and was released in the United States on August 21, 1987. The film’s global box office earnings surpassed $214 million, and it achieved a significant milestone as the first film to sell over a million copies for home video.

The performances of Grey and Swayze received widespread acclaim from critics, and the movie’s soundtrack, overseen by Jimmy Ienner, became a huge success, generating two multi-platinum albums and numerous hit singles.

Notably, the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, won several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

The immense popularity of “Dirty Dancing” led to a 2004 prequel titled “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” as well as a stage adaptation that received sellout performances in Australia, Europe, and North America.

Additionally, a made-for-TV remake was released in 2017. Fans of the original film can look forward to a sequel scheduled for release in Summer 2025, with Jennifer Grey reprising her role as Baby.

Dirty Dancing Cast

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