Melora Hardin says Hollywood often told her to stop dancing — even when she was trained to dance

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” but according to Melora Hardin, Hollywood tried more than once.

In a new career-spanning interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actress — best known for The Office, Transparent, 27 Dresses, and The Bold Type — looked back on one of the most unusual roles of her career: playing Baby in the short-lived Dirty Dancing.

The series aired in 1988, just a year after the hugely popular film Dirty Dancing, which starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Hardin stepped into the role of Frances “Baby” Kellerman — but says the experience wasn’t what she expected.

“I wasn’t allowed to dance”

Hardin remembers the show as exciting but also frustrating.

“It was so exciting,” she said, especially working with Kenny Ortega, who helped choreograph the series and directed two episodes. At the time, Ortega hadn’t yet become the major name behind High School Musical.

But despite working with a famous choreographer — and despite being a trained dancer herself — Hardin says she wasn’t allowed to show those skills.

“I had to pretend I couldn’t dance,” she said, laughing.

Just like Jennifer Grey’s character in the film, Hardin’s Baby started off unable to dance. The difference? Hardin had studied ballet since childhood.

A familiar problem

The restriction wasn’t limited to Dirty Dancing. Hardin says this happened repeatedly throughout her career.

“In Diff'rent Strokes, I had to pretend I couldn’t dance. In The Office, I pretend I couldn’t dance,” she said. “Someone just let me!”

Over time, she finally got chances to perform.

She competed on Dancing With the Stars and later appeared on Broadway as Roxy in Chicago. Still, Hardin says one dream remains unfulfilled.

“I would love to do a musical movie,” she said. “I haven’t gotten to do that yet.”

A short-lived show with lasting connections

The Dirty Dancing TV series lasted only one season. It co-starred Patrick Cassidy as Johnny, McLean Stevenson as Baby’s father, and Paul Feig in an acting role.

Hardin remembers Feig especially fondly.

“He was one of my favorite actors on the show,” she said. “We just had such a nice rapport.”

That connection paid off years later when Feig directed Hardin in one of The Office’s most famous episodes, Dinner Party. She also praised his support during the show’s wildest moments, including the surreal Threat Level Midnight.

Still waiting for her moment

Despite decades in television, film, and theater, Hardin says she’s still hoping for a role that fully combines acting and dance on the big screen.

After years of being told to “stand in the corner,” she’s ready to move — and dance — front and center. 💃