Dirty Dancing holds a great place in cinematic history.
From Patrick Swayze’s mesmerising dance routines to the film’s unforgettable soundtrack and the iconic line: “I carried a watermelon”. It’s impossible not to acknowledge the classic moments the film offered.
Cynthia Rhodes, famously known for her role as Penny, is an actress you might not have spotted in recent years. At 67, Rhodes has hung up her acting shoes and opted for retirement after charming audiences throughout the 80s.
Although most celebrate her as the admired Penny who strutted alongside Johnny (played by Swayze), Rhodes also shone in other hits like Flashdance (1983), Staying Alive (1983) and Runaway (1984).
The ex-actress has been a hot topic on social media lately after pictures of her surfaced on TikTok, where she appears as radiant as during her acting heyday, leaving fans marvelling at how she seemingly has barely aged a day.
A viral clip prompted adoring fans to label her “still stunning” as they admired recent pictures of her with sleek grey hair while dressed sharply in a tailored suit, flashing a smile that confirmed she remains the same gorgeous talent who once portrayed Penny.
Commentary flooded in from viewers as many couldn’t believe how great she looked. They also praised her dance moves, dubbing her an “underrated performer”.
One person exclaimed: “An amazing dancer. Makes it look so easy and effortless when it’s extremely difficult.”
Another shared: “Amazing and beautiful woman.” A third commented: “Not changed much.”
Meanwhile, a fourth chimed in with: “That woman can dance. She blows my mind every time I watch her dance.”
Despite her glittering career, Rhodes turned her back on Hollywood in 1991 to focus on family life with her then-husband “Right Here Waiting” singer, Richard Marx. Raising their three sons, Lucas, Jesse, and Brandon, was a choice that initially left Marx sceptical.
“I thought, ‘This won’t last, she’s definitely going to want to come back to work and do films,'” he confessed to Splash Chicago. “But she found a fulfilment in being a mum that completely dominated any feelings she ever had making a movie.”
The duo parted ways in 2014 after a 25-year-long union. Rhodes continues to maintain a low profile, seemingly content with life out of the limelight.