Jennifer Grey surprised herself when a wave of emotion hit her while presenting a lifetime achievement award to her father and Broadway veteran, Joel Grey.
Grey honored her father with the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City on Monday night, according to People. The 55-year-old actress got choked up while presenting the award on stage at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
"I didn't expect to feel like that," she said. "I feel like Liza [Minnelli], all gaspy and stuff!"
When she had trouble speaking, the audience broke into applause for encouragement. Grey regained her composure and shared childhood memories of "hanging out backstage with my dad at matinees" while he was starring in "Cabarat" on Broadway in 1966.
"I'm so inspired by my dad. By the sheer breadth of his work, his love of life," the "Dirty Dancing" star said. "As someone who has clung to his every move my entire life... his incredible career... only pales in comparison to the accomplishment of how he lives his life, his gigantic heart. This world is just markedly better for him being here."
Joel came out as gay earlier this year, although he doesn't like to put labels on himself. "But if you have to put a label on it, I'm a gay man," he told People in January.
Grey reportedly jumped up and down while her father received a standing ovation at the awards ceremony. She gave him a hug and then he spoke about his early struggles as an untrained dance before being cast in "Cabaret."
