Jennifer Beals / Marine Jahan
The "perfect dancer" in Flashdance is actually four different people stitched together. While Jennifer Beals gave an incredible acting performance, the studio didn't believe she had the dance ability to sell the finale. They hired a "body double" team that was kept secret from the press to ensure the film's Oscar chances. The breakdown is: 1. Jennifer Beals: Facial expressions and close-ups. 2. Marine Jahan: The main body double for the dance steps (she was famously uncredited at the time). 3. Sharon Shapiro: The gymnast who performed the leaps and the dive roll. 4. Crazy Legs (Richard Colón): The male breakdancer who performed the backspin floor moves. Producer Don Simpson reportedly told Crazy Legs to shave his legs and wear a leotard because he was too muscular to pass for Beals otherwise. Marine Jahan was the primary double and appears in the music video for "Maniac" as well, though you never see her face. The film’s signature song "Flashdance... What a Feeling" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Jennifer Beals had to convince the studio to keep the "collarless sweatshirt" look, which became a massive fashion trend in the 80s.