Jennifer Grey’s mother, Jo Wilder, died “by her own choosing” and “with dignity” one week after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
The actress told her Instagram followers about the 94-year-old’s Fourth of July passing on Tuesday, writing that it was “on her own terms.”
The “Dirty Dancing” star, 66, added, “True to who she was, she chose grace over fear, understanding that leaving this world with dignity is an honor, not a tragedy.”
Jennifer Grey (pictured above in May 2023) revealed on Tuesday that her mom, Jo Wilder, died on the Fourth of July.
Wilder (pictured above) died “by her own choosing, on her own terms,” the actress told her Instagram followers.
She paid tribute to her mom’s “gorgeous and talented” life, from a “promising young actress on the New York stage” who “never fully answered that calling” to a “mother” to Jennifer and brother James Katz.
“If she’d chosen ambition over my brother and me, we never would have had the mother we had,” Grey wrote. “Her passion found other outlets: she was a lifelong activist, fiercely attuned to right and wrong.
“And for years, many people discovered her extraordinary eye through Wilder Place, her store on Melrose,” she continued. “She was brave and deep.”
Wilder (pictured above) was diagnosed with lung cancer a week before her passing.
Grey (pictured above in October 2024) honored her parent choosing “grace over fear.” Getty Images for ZFF
Grey concluded with a message to Wilder, reading, “I love you, Mom. Thank you for showing me how to do it all, even this, with grace.”
The Golden Globe nominee’s social media upload included various black-and-white photos of her late mother, some solo and others with Grey and Katz.
A slew of A-listers shared their support in the comments section.
She praised her “gorgeous and talented” mom (pictured above) for going from a “promising young actress” to a mom of two.
“If she’d chosen ambition over my brother and me, we never would have had the mother we had,” the “Dirty Dancing” star (pictured above in October 2024) added. Penske Media via Getty Images
“Sending you so much love. What an extraordinary role model. ❤️❤️❤️,” Katie Couric wrote, while Julianne Moore added, “So sorry for your loss 💔.”
Grey’s close pal Tracy Pollan, Michael J. Fox’s wife, also gushed over the moving tribute.
“I am thinking of you and the radiant Jo Wilder today,” the 66-year-old wrote. “I feel so blessed to have had your beautiful mother in my life. I will cherish my memories of her warmth, love and guidance. So heartbroken she is gone, but grateful she left us with the dignity she lived with. I love you both.”
She concluded the social media upload with a message to Wilder (pictured above in May 1997). Penske Media via Getty Images
“I love you, Mom,” Grey (pictured above as a child in 1967) wrote. “Thank you for showing me how to do it all, even this, with grace.” Getty Images
Grey’s ex-husband, Clark Gregg, commented with multiple heart emojis.
The “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” star frequently raved over her mother on the social media platform in recent years, most recently on Mother’s Day 2024.
“So lucky to be able to celebrate our dear ol’ mom, Jo Wilder!!” she wrote at the time. “Had the best time today with my brother and this 92 year old beauty!”