“True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy,” wrote Grey.

Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey reveals her mom has died ‘by her own choosing’ days after cancer diagnosis

“True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy,” wrote Grey.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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July 9, 2026 1:14 p.m. ET

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Jo Wilder and Jennifer Grey at the ‘Dirty Dancing’ premiere in New York. Credit:

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

- Jennifer Grey announced that her mother Jo Wilder has died “on her own terms” a week after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

- “True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy,” wrote Grey.

- Wilder had appeared as an actor in a series of television shows in the ‘60s and also ran a boutique in Los Angeles.

Jennifer Grey is remembering her mother Jo Wilder.

On Monday, the *Dirty Dancing** *star announced that Wilder died on July 4, sharing a series of black-and-white photos online, having chosen to die “on her own terms” after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis just days before. She was 94.

“My mother, Jo Wilder, passed away on July 4th at 94 — by her own choosing, on her own terms, exactly as she lived,” Grey began her Instagram caption.

“A week earlier, she learned she had lung cancer. True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy.”

Grey wrote that her mother was “gorgeous and talented” as “a promising young actress on the New York stage in her youth.”

“She used to say she never fully answered that calling; she became a mother instead. If she’d chosen ambition over my brother and me, we never would have had the mother we had. Her passion found other outlets: she was a lifelong activist, fiercely attuned to right and wrong.”

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The *Ferris Bueller’s Day Off** *star added that “many people discovered her extraordinary eye through Wilder Place, her store on Melrose,” referring to Wilder’s long-running boutique in Los Angeles.

“She was brave and deep. I love you, Mom. Thank you for showing me how to do it all, even this, with grace,” Grey concluded.

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Per Wilder’s IMDb page, her acting credits include appearances on ‘60s television shows *The Defenders*, *The Nurses*, and *The Detectives. *Wilder, who was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., also appeared on an episode of *How to Marry a Millionaire*.

According to Broadway World, Wilder attended the Neighborhood Playhouse and was taught by Sanford Meisner alongside actors Steve McQueen and Peter Falk.

Jennifer Grey at the Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica in February 2025.

Gregg DeGuire/WWD via Getty

Over the years, Grey has shared pictures of her mom on social media, including some special Mother’s Day shout-outs.

“So lucky to be able to celebrate our dear ol’ mom, Jo Wilder!! Had the best time today with my brother and this 92 year old beauty!” she posted on Instagram alongside a pic of Wilder rocking sunglasses in May 2024.

The year before, Grey’s Mother’s Day tribute included a photo of her posing while pushing Wilder in a wheelchair in front of lit-up “MOM” sign and balloons display. “And it all started with this ol’ bird!” she wrote on Instagram.

Wilder is survived by daughter Jennifer, son James Katz, and ex-husband Joel Grey.

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