Jennifer Grey Says Mom Died ‘By Her Own Choosing’ After Cancer Diagnosis

Jennifer Grey announced that her mother, Jo Wilder, died at age 94 on July 4, one week after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis. In an emotional Instagram tribute, Grey wrote that her mother died "by her own choosing, on her own terms, exactly as she lived," choosing "grace over fear" and understanding that "leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy." Grey described her mother as a talented actress who became a mother instead of fully pursuing her career, and a lifelong activist with "an extraordinary eye." Wilder was a singer and actress known for her role as Polly in the national tour of "The Threepenny Opera" in 1960, as well as stage roles in "Peter Pan" and "Gypsy." Several celebrities shared condolences in the comments, including Maggie Wheeler, Julianne Moore, Josh Gad, Rachel Zegler, and Lea Thompson. Grey's ex-husband Clark Gregg also commented with red heart emojis. The couple was married for 19 years before finalizing their divorce in February 2021 and share a daughter, Stella, 24.