Melora Hardin Dirty Dancing TV Series Frustration: The Trained Dancer Who Couldn't Dance

Imagine being a classically trained ballerina but being ordered to look like you've got two left feet. That's exactly what Melora Hardin, the star of The Office, faced during her time on the 1988 television adaptation of Dirty Dancing.

Melora Hardin Dirty Dancing TV Series Frustration Revealed

In a career-spanning interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hardin opened up about the "frustrating" reality of playing Frances "Baby" Kellerman. While she stepped into the iconic role originally played by Jennifer Grey, she wasn't allowed to showcase her real-life prowess as a dancer. "I had to pretend I couldn't dance!" she revealed, laughing at the irony that has followed her throughout her career.

Hardin worked closely with Kenny Ortega, who choreographed both the film and the series. Although they had a blast on set, the restriction on her movement felt like a missed opportunity. Interestingly, this "no dancing" rule wasn't unique to Dirty Dancing. Hardin noted that they also made her hide her skills in The Office and Diff'rent Strokes. It wasn't until Dancing With the Stars that the public finally saw what she could really do.

Full Circle: The Paul Feig Connection

The series, which lasted only one season, also featured Paul Feig, who would later direct Hardin in the infamous "Dinner Party" episode of The Office. Hardin fondly remembered their "nice rapport" from the 1980s, noting how that early connection helped them create comedy gold decades later.