Following a significant hardship, this public figure chose to pursue a new direction. She transformed her pain into a purposeful initiative aimed at offering solace to others facing similar challenges.
The actress, renowned for her role as the pink lady in “Grease,” faced a devastating loss when her son passed away. This tragedy profoundly impacted her career, guiding the projects she chose beyond acting.
The loss she experienced was not the first challenge in her life. Raised in Malibu by her actress and screenwriter parents, she attended Santa Monica High School, where she initially struggled with self-confidence while envisioning a career in acting.
Reflecting on her early acting journey, she shared, “Mother was so damned good that I was defeated even before I started to be an actress.” This sense of intimidation led her to believe she could only succeed with rigorous training, following her mother’s path through the Actors Studio and life in New York.
Despite initial hurdles, she overcame her fears, saying, “Finally, I told myself, ‘So what if I fail? I can always go back to Soap.'” Her perseverance paid off, earning her a Tony Award in 1980 for her role in “I Ought to Be in Pictures,” a role she later reprised in the 1982 film adaptation.
The star’s television career included notable roles in the sitcoms “Soap” (1977) and “Empty Nest” (1988), as well as a string of TV movies and miniseries, such as “Raid on Entebbe” (1976) and “Babies” (1990).
Kristy McNichol and the actress on the set of “Empty Nest,” 1990 | Source: Getty Images
On the big screen, her most memorable performances include Marty Maraschino in the 1978 classic “Grease,” as well as roles in “Ordinary People” (1980) and “Child’s Play” (1988).
The actress’s life off-screen also underwent significant changes. After her marriage to Jean-Marc Joubert in 1980, which ended in 1985, she found lasting love when she married Arthur Mortell in 1997. That same year, the couple welcomed their first child, Dashiell. Their family grew in 2002 with the arrival of twin sons, Desi and Oliver.
As her family expanded, so did her desire to provide a nurturing environment away from the pressures of Hollywood. Having spent her own childhood between New York and Los Angeles, the celebrity and her husband chose to leave the “factory town” of Hollywood behind, relocating to Bainbridge Island to raise their three boys.
However, their joy was tempered by heartbreak in 2017 when their 19-year-old son, Dashiell, tragically passed away in an automobile accident while returning to Washington State University. The loss left the family grappling with unimaginable pain.
The SUV Dashiell was traveling in, along with four others, collided with a stopped vehicle and rolled onto its side. The vehicle was then struck by a pickup truck towing a utility trailer, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The grief rippled through his community, touching those who knew him best. Childhood friend Skylar Welch struggled to accept the news, sharing heartfelt memories, “I loved Dashiell so much. He felt like a brother.” Skylar fondly described him as someone who “could light up a room” and always made others feel included. “Heaven is looking pretty beautiful right now with him up there.”
Meanwhile, Dashiell’s parents, Dinah Manoff and Arthur, expressed their sorrow over losing their beloved son. They reflected on cherished memories, including a meaningful Christmas break spent together before his return to college.
“Dashiell’s greatest passion in life was bringing laughter and happiness to the people he loved,” they revealed, mourning the vibrant presence that had touched so many lives.
Dashiell’s passing became a turning point, leading Dinah to focus on fostering connection and creativity through teaching. “After Dashiell died, I was in so much pain and grief that I felt the only people I could be around were people who were also suffering,” the New York native shared.
This longing for connection inspired her to bring the transformative power of acting to an unexpected place. Channeling her grief into purpose, she began teaching acting at Bainbridge Performing Arts and expanded her work to the Purdy Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. “I really fell in love with teaching,” the mother of three admitted.
“I thought, ‘Wow, this is my calling.’ I love being able to help people express themselves in ways they didn’t know they were able to, and laugh at themselves and find their creative juices,” she continued.
With a passion for helping individuals uncover untapped potential, she saw acting as a powerful tool for self-expression and healing. By introducing improvisation to incarcerated women, Dinah sought to provide a voice and creative outlet, demonstrating that art can flourish even in challenging environments.
Dinah’s involvement with Purdy began after attending a play directed by her friend Robin Lynn Smith, founder of Seattle’s Freehold Theatre. She was inspired by the program’s transformative process, which guided incarcerated women through every aspect of production, from writing and costuming to set design.
Motivated by this, she collaborated with Michelle Allen to propose an eight-week acting curriculum for Purdy’s High School 21 program, which provides fine arts credits to those pursuing a diploma.
“I have loved doing this work,” said Dinah, whose parents are Lee Grant and Arnold Manoff. She found the work therapeutic, explaining that the two hours each week she spent focused on helping the women find joy and creativity offered a reprieve from her own grief.
It allowed her to momentarily step away from the pain of her son’s death and the sorrow felt by her family, channeling her energy into creating meaningful experiences for others.
Dinah’s dedication to her work and family has remained a constant source of strength and purpose. In 2023, the star, who is the author of “The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold,” celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with Arthur, sharing a tribute on social media.
Posting heartfelt words alongside family photos, she reflected on their journey together, “[…] Thank you, darling husband, for every moment of every hour of every day since we met. And thank you for being the most amazing father to our boys. I love you.”
Her message reflected the enduring love in her personal life, while fans continue to celebrate her charm and talent through other posts.
Admirers often share their praise, with one calling her an “icon [sic],” another commenting, “always awesome [sic],” and a third writing, “Still as beautiful as ever … God Bless.”
Dinah’s journey illustrates the impact of channeling personal pain into meaningful work and relationships. Through her dedication to family and passion for helping others, she continues to inspire those around her.
