What were the filming conditions like for the Dirty Dancing lake scene?

The lake used for the iconic scene was frozen, and Jennifer Grey had to film in a light outfit while Patrick Swayze wore a wetsuit from the waist down.

How did the Dirty Dancing crew create a summer look in the fall?

Crew members resorted to painting autumn leaves green to simulate a summer setting in North Carolina and Virginia.

What was the budget and box office success of Dirty Dancing?

The film was made for under $5 million and grossed an impressive $170 million worldwide.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Dirty Dancing Cast Recall Chilling Lake Scenes

Dirty Dancing Cast Recall Chilling Lake Scenes

7 Mar

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Summary

The lake scene was filmed in freezing temperatures with Jennifer Grey in thin clothing.
Crew members painted leaves green to simulate summer in the fall.
The film became a huge success, grossing $170 million worldwide on a low budget.

Dirty Dancing Cast Recall Chilling Lake Scenes

Cast and crew members of the beloved 1987 film Dirty Dancing recently shared fond memories of its production, as the movie approaches its 40th anniversary and a sequel is underway. They recalled the challenging conditions during the filming of the memorable lake scene.

Andrew Charles Koch, a dancer, recounted that the lake was frozen during the shoot. He noted that Patrick Swayze wore a wetsuit, while Jennifer Grey had to endure the cold in just a blouse and jeans. "Thank God I'm not out in the lake doing that," Koch recalled thinking.