When Cynthia Rhodes wasn’t “Staying Alive” on the dance floor with John Travolta, she was “Dirty Dancing” with Patrick Swayze.
Rhodes, who will turn 67 in November 2023, had a great career with famous dance movies from the 1980s. However, she chose to step away from the spotlight at the height of her fame.
Keep reading to find out why this talented actress, singer, and dancer retired so early!
Cynthia Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She started her acting career with a small role in the 1980 musical fantasy film **Xanadu**, which starred the late Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.
Her role as Tina Tech, a dancer in the 1983 film **Flashdance**, led to a bigger part later that year as John Travolta’s love interest in **Staying Alive**, the sequel to **Saturday Night Fever**, directed by Sylvester Stallone.
In 1987, she played her most famous role as Penny Johnson, a dance instructor at a resort hotel in **Dirty Dancing**.
In her role as Penny, Cynthia Rhodes shows off her amazing dance skills with graceful and flashy Mambo moves alongside the late Patrick Swayze. She also shares some very emotional and heartbreaking scenes with him.
Rhodes described her character Penny as having an “edge.” Penny both charmed and shocked viewers as she dealt with a difficult storyline involving a botched illegal abortion.
The film includes a socially relevant subplot about reproductive rights, with Rhodes at the center of it all. This helped position the three lead characters—Swayze as Johnny, Jennifer Grey as Baby, and Rhodes as Penny—for stardom.
“She’s from South Philly and she’s had a rough life,” Rhodes said about her character. “She’s got a sweetness about her, but it’s hidden because she’s been through a lot, and she has sort of put up a wall.” Rhodes added, “In the end, I think she finally realizes that life does go on.”
Life went on for Cynthia Rhodes, but not in the way her fans hoped.
After training for ten hours a day to prepare for her role as Penny, Rhodes found dancing to be “really hard.” She shared, “That’s why I keep saying I’m never going to dance again. I’m tired of dancing. My bones are hurting, and my back hurts all the time.” She added, “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 involve dancing. But I just want a chance to do some dramatic work without dancing. Just give me a straight acting part.”
In the same year that *Dirty Dancing* was released, the 31-year-old Rhodes, who had many role options and admirers, appeared in the music video for “Don’t Mean Nothing” by Richard Marx. He is also known for the song “Right Here Waiting,” which was famously written for Rhodes in 1989.
In 1989, Rhodes married the Grammy Award-winning singer Richard Marx, and the couple welcomed their first child, Brandon, in 1990. They later had two more sons, Lucas in 1992 and Jesse in 1994.
According to Marx, Rhodes, who had previously trained for the Olympics, decided to retire in 1990 to focus on raising their children. He mentioned that this choice was also due to the “intense physical pain” her dance moves caused her.
“I thought, ‘This won’t last; she’s definitely going to want to come back to work and do films.’ But she found fulfillment in being a mom that completely overshadowed any desire she had to make movies,” Marx, now 59, explained. “Even if you’re her biggest fan, as good as you think she was as a dancer, singer, or actress, you should see her as a mom.”
Rhodes, who began dancing at just three years old, found that she was much happier being a mom and giving her body the rest it needed.
“The thing was, I used to never be sore. In fact, I was a gymnast. Now it’s frustrating… I never used to stretch, but now I have to stretch before I dance. I love to dance, but if I never did it again, I wouldn’t be sorry,” Rhodes said.
Since then, she hasn’t looked back. The last time she appeared on screen was in the 1991 film *Curse of the Crystal Eye.*
The former Hollywood starlet divorced Marx in 2014, and he married MTV’s first Latina host, Daisy Fuentes, the following year.
As for her sons, all three are following in the footsteps of their famous parents. Brandon is now a music producer and singer, while Lucas has made a name for himself as a singer and actor, appearing in TV series like *The Chicago Code*, *The Mob Doctor*, *Chicago P.D.*, and *Parenthood*. The youngest son, Jesse, has joined a metal band and is working on his own music.
Dancing requires a high level of athleticism, so while we miss seeing Cynthia Rhodes, we completely understand why she chose to leave Hollywood.
What are your favorite films featuring her?
I Got Married at 80 and My Granddaughter Kicked Me Out – Watch How I Turned the Tables!
When my granddaughter kicked me out after I got married at 80, I knew I had to do something about it. With my new husband, Harold, we came up with a bold plan to show her she couldn’t treat me like that. What followed was a confrontation that changed our family forever.
I never thought I’d be sharing this story, but here we are. My name is Margaret, and I turned 80 last spring. I lived in a cozy room in my granddaughter Ashley’s house. It was small, but I had made it my own, with pictures and keepsakes from my past.
“Good morning, Grandma,” Ashley said one bright Saturday, bursting into my room without knocking. She never bothered with that.
“Morning, dear,” I replied, folding my quilt. “What’s the rush?”
“We’re heading to the park with the kids. Need anything?”
“No, I’m fine. Go enjoy yourself.”
She left quickly, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I couldn’t complain too much — after all, I had sold my house to pay for her college. Her parents had died in a car crash when she was just 15.
I took Ashley in and did my best to give her a good life. Now she lived here with her husband, Brian, and their two kids. Their home was big, lively, and often noisy.
A few months ago, life took an unexpected turn at the community center. I met Harold, who was charming and always had a camera around his neck. We started chatting, and before I knew it, I looked forward to seeing him. It felt like a second chance at love.
One afternoon, while Ashley was at work, I decided to share my news. I found her in the kitchen later that evening, flipping through a recipe book.
“Ashley, I have something to tell you,” I said.
She looked up, “What’s up, Grandma?”
“I’ve met someone. His name is Harold, and… well, he proposed.”
Ashley stared at me, her eyebrows raising in surprise. “Proposed? You mean marriage?”
“Yes,” I replied, trying to contain my smile. “Isn’t it wonderful?”
Her reaction wasn’t what I expected. “Grandma, you’re 80. You’re too old for a wedding dress and all that. And Harold can’t move in here.”
I was shocked. “Why not? We have plenty of space.”
“This is our home. We need our privacy,” she replied firmly.
I tried to reason with her, but she wouldn’t listen. The next morning, she packed my belongings and set them by the door.
“Ashley, what are you doing?” I asked, feeling tears start to form.
“You need to go, Grandma. Find somewhere else to live. Maybe Harold can take you in.”
I couldn’t believe it. After everything I had done for her — raising her, selling my house — she was kicking me out. I felt so betrayed as I looked at the boxes of my life packed up like unwanted clutter.
With few options left, I called Harold. When I told him what happened, he was furious.
“She did what?” he exclaimed. “Margaret, get your things together. I’m coming to get you right now. You’re coming to stay with me.”
I hesitated. “I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re not a burden,” he reassured me. “You’re my future wife, and we’re in this together.”
With no other choice, I packed up my belongings and Harold helped me load them into his car. As we drove away, I glanced back at Ashley’s house, feeling a deep sense of sadness.
Harold’s place was a new start. He welcomed me warmly, and I began to feel at home again. We spent our time dreaming about our future together, but the pain from Ashley’s betrayal was hard to shake.
One evening, as we were talking, Harold’s eyes hardened with determination. “We’ll teach her a lesson,” he said firmly. “She needs to understand respect.”
I wasn’t sure how we would make it happen, but I had faith in Harold. He always had a knack for turning ideas into reality.
“Alright,” I said, feeling a surge of confidence. “Let’s show her what we’re capable of.”
And so, we started to plan.
***
Harold and I spent many evenings working on our strategy. Since Harold was a well-known photographer, he came up with a plan to reach Ashley through something she loved. She was passionate about photography and never missed the annual local photographer’s gathering.
“Margaret,” Harold said one evening, “I’ve got a ticket for the gathering. I’ll send it to Ashley anonymously. She won’t be able to resist.”
I felt a thrill of excitement. “Let’s do it.”
Before the big event, Harold and I had a small, intimate wedding.
Harold was determined to capture the day, taking beautiful photographs of our special moments. The photos reflected the joy and love we shared, showing the happiness in my eyes and the warmth between us.
The day of the photography event arrived, and, just as we hoped, Ashley showed up. She had no idea that we were behind the anonymous invitation. Harold and I waited backstage, our nerves tingling with anticipation. We were set on making a statement.
When the host called Harold to the stage to present his award-winning photographs, the room filled with excitement. As Harold walked out, there was a buzz of admiration. Then, to everyone’s surprise, the big screen lit up with portraits of me in my wedding dress.
Gasps filled the room as the audience took in the stunning images of me in my wedding dress. The photos captured not just the beauty of the moment but also the deep emotions we felt.
Harold took the stage and began, “I found love at 79, proving that age is just a number. Margaret, my beautiful wife, has a youthful spirit and a heart full of love.”
I watched as Ashley, sitting in the front row, turned red with embarrassment. Harold handed me the microphone, and I took a deep breath, my heart racing.
“Good evening,” I began, my voice steady. “I want to share a story about sacrifice and love. When my granddaughter Ashley’s parents passed away, I sold my house to help pay for her education and took her in, raising her as my own. But recently, she seemed to forget what love and respect truly mean.”
The room was silent, everyone focused on me. I turned to Ashley, who was sitting in the front row. “Ashley,” I said, “I still love you despite the pain you’ve caused. But I needed you to understand the importance of respect.”
Tears welled up in Ashley’s eyes as she looked down, clearly overwhelmed by the weight of her actions.
Harold spoke up once more, “Margaret and I shared our story to remind everyone that love and respect transcend age. Family should always be about support and understanding.”
The audience erupted into applause, showing their admiration for our message. After the event, Ashley walked up to us, tears streaming down her face.
“Grandma, Harold,” she said, her voice trembling, “I am so sorry. I was wrong and disrespectful. Can you ever forgive me?”
Harold and I exchanged a look, then I wrapped Ashley in a warm hug. “Of course, dear. We love you. We just needed you to understand.”
She invited us to a family dinner, promising to support my happiness and never take me for granted again. We accepted, hopeful for a fresh start.
That evening, we joined Ashley and her family. The atmosphere was warm, with sincere efforts to mend our relationship. Laughter and conversation flowed easily, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly at peace.
During dinner, Ashley looked at me with sincere eyes. “Grandma, I didn’t realize how much I hurt you. I was selfish and ungrateful.”
“It’s okay, Ashley,” I said, gently placing my hand on hers. “What matters is that we move forward together.”
Brian, Ashley’s husband, who had been quiet throughout, finally spoke up: “We’re happy you’re content, Margaret. And Harold, you seem like a great guy. We’re lucky to have you both in our lives.”
Harold smiled warmly. “Thank you, Brian. We’re glad to be here.”
The children, sensing the shift in the mood, eagerly showed us their latest drawings and school projects. It was heartwarming to see the family reconnect. The room was filled with a genuine sense of togetherness, and I felt a renewed sense of belonging.
As the evening went on, Harold shared more about our adventures and how we met. Ashley listened closely, her eyes occasionally moist with tears. It was clear she felt truly sorry and wanted to make things right.
After dinner, we settled in the living room with cups of tea. Ashley turned to me again, her voice earnest. “Grandma, I want you to move back in with us. We have plenty of room, and I promise things will be different.”
I glanced at Harold, who nodded in agreement. “We appreciate the offer, Ashley, but Harold and I have our own home now. We’ll visit often, though.”
Ashley gave a bittersweet smile, showing she understood. “I get it. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” I told her. “And so are you. That’s what matters.”
As we left that night, the moonlight softly illuminating our path, I thought about the importance of self-love and standing up for oneself. Sometimes, life’s greatest joys come when we least expect them.
Looking around the table, I felt a deep gratitude for the second chance at happiness and for the family that, despite everything, remained close to my heart.
Harold and I drove home in quiet reflection, each of us processing the day’s events. When we arrived, he took my hand gently and said, “We did it, Margaret. We really did.”
I smiled, feeling a mix of accomplishment and relief. “Yes, we did. And this is just the beginning.”
Harold kissed my hand, and together, we walked into our home, ready for whatever came next. Our love and determination had delivered a powerful lesson to Ashley, and it had brought us all closer. This was a new chapter, brimming with hope and endless possibilities.
That sounds like a story with a lot of emotional depth and growth! If you enjoyed the previous tale, this one about a grandson’s change of heart and his quest for forgiveness should be quite compelling. Here’s a glimpse of what might unfold in that story:
**Title:** “Grandson Called Grandma ‘The Worst’ for Not Giving Gifts—Years Later, He Begged for Forgiveness”
**Summary:**
Once, a young grandson harshly labeled his grandmother “the worst” because she couldn’t afford to buy him presents. Her heart was broken, but she understood that his youthful perspective didn’t grasp the full picture. Over the years, as he grew older and faced his own challenges, he came to realize the depth of his mistake. Now, he seeks forgiveness and hopes to mend the rift caused by his earlier selfishness.
**Key Themes:**
– **Understanding and Growth:** The journey from being a self-centered child to a more empathetic adult.
– **Family and Forgiveness:** The importance of reconciling and valuing loved ones.
– **Life Lessons:** Learning the true meaning of generosity and love beyond material gifts.
If this piques your interest, diving into the full story could offer a touching look at personal redemption and the strength of familial bonds.
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