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Obit: Patrick Swayze Dies at 57.
Patrick Swayze, the actor best known for his roles in "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," died Monday after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 57.
Swayze is most-recognized for his role as dance instructor Johnny Castle in the hit 1987 film "Dirty Dancing," for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
The film centers around an unlikely romance between Swayze and co-star Jennifer Grey during a summer at a 1960s resort in the Catskills of New York.
Swayze's shirtless dance scenes and signature line "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" helped to propel the actor to heartthrob status.
He received a second Globe nomination for playing the ghost Sam Wheat in 1990's "Ghost," in which he starred alongside Demi Moore. That film was the highest-grossing of the year.
In January 2008, Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had been undergoing chemotherapy at the Stanford University Medical Center in California.
Even after his diagnosis, Swayze continued to shoot a television series for A&E, "The Beast," in which he played a rogue undercover FBI agent. In an interview with Barbara Walters in 2008, he said he refused painkillers while shooting and had only missed a day-and-a-half of the show's filming schedule.
"I do find myself, at the end of the day, riding home sort of catching myself with a smile on my face," he told The New York Times in October 2008. "I'm proud of what I'm doing."
Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston. His father, Jesse, was an engineering drafter and his mother, Patsy, taught dance classes and choreography at her own dance school, where her son was once a student.
He went on to graduate from Waltrip High School in Houston, where he was a talented football player and gymnast. He won an athletic scholarship to college, but knee problems prompted him to take up acting.
On June 12, 1975, he married actress and dancer Lisa Niemi, who had also been a pupil at his mother's dance school.
He continued to study dance and was trained at both the Harkness Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. He was also the principal dancer in the Eliot Feld company. His first professional dancing role came in "Disney on Parade," where he played Prince Charming.
Swayze's stage debut was as Danny Zuko in the original Broadway production of "Grease." His success in the theater soon led to his first film role in 1979, when he played Ace in "Skatetown, U.S.A." He went on to play supporting roles in a number of TV series and made-for-television movies, though he did star in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Outsiders" in 1983 alongside a number of other prominent eighties actors.
After "Ghost," Swayze found success in his role as a surfing guru/bank robber opposite Keanu Reeves in "Point Break," but his roles in films thereafter were sporadic.
While filming "Letters from a Killer" in 1996, Swayze fell from a horse and hit a tree and was seriously injured with two broken legs and four detached tendons in his shoulder. Filming was suspended for two months and the actor eventually recovered.
He had another close call in 2000, when flying with his dogs in his twin-engine plane. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing and hit a light pole. He suffered no injuries.
In recent years, Swayze had a cameo appearance in the "Dirty Dancing" sequel, "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights," where he played a dance instructor. He also made his London stage debut in the musical "Guys and Dolls" as Nathan Detroit.
Comments
Haley Says
I can't abide by selfish people, or selfish decisions, and I cannot praise an actor for really powering through something that he brought upon himself. I knew my comment would receive negative backlash, but maybe there needs to be some negativity here. Many people glamorize smoking, and as a role model for kids/teens/some adults, it makes me sick that people can literally smoke until their last breath. I kept reading, "Patrick, how brave!" when there is nothing brave in regards to doing an activity you KNOW will take your life. You may not know when, and what will take you (emphysema, coronary disease, cancer) but rest assured smoking is hammering a nail into your coffin. If you guys disagree with me, e-mail the surgeon general. I think we should all be crying for his family, the people who loved him, but tears shed for a man who chose to die is not something I'm willing to do. I also think my experiences really allow me to know what it would be like to be someone who loved a man, and if anyone here thinks his cancer was not caused by his incessant chain smoking, you are truly the ones willing to be fooled by your emotions. You can be sad someone is gone, but need to accept why he's gone. I also have the inability to burn in hell, as I have no such beliefs, but thanks for the well wishes :0)
Haley Says
I can't abide by selfish people, or selfish decisions, and I cannot praise an actor for really powering through something that he brought upon himself. I knew my comment would receive negative backlash, but maybe there needs to be some negativity here. Many people glamorize smoking, and as a role model for kids/teens/some adults, it makes me sick that people can literally smoke until their last breath. I kept reading, "Patrick, how brave!" when there is nothing brave in regards to doing an activity you KNOW will take your life. You may not know when, and what will take you (emphysema, coronary disease, cancer) but rest assured smoking is hammering a nail into your coffin. If you guys disagree with me, e-mail the surgeon general. I think we should all be crying for his family, the people who loved him, but tears shed for a man who chose to die is not something I'm willing to do.
Katarina Says
"Haley's Comment" - Cigarettes are an addiction. After being dx with pancreatic cancer your chances of survival are very slim. Smoker or not, and I am not, if you are destined to get cancer then there is nothing you can do about. He was very fit and athletic and that didn't "prevent" cancer, no more than smoking "caused" it. You are an idiot.
carmechanicuk Says
Poor Patrick - What a shame:(
Clutch Replacement
Georgia Says
i was a little girl when i first saw Patrick in "North & South" and it's sad to hear that he is gone so soon. i have watched "Ghost" about 100 times and every time i cry in the last scene.....R.I.P. Patrick
TT Says
RIP Mr. Swayze...in tribute, I am watching (again) my favorite movie of all time...The Outsiders. You will truly be missed!
Jen Says
So owful ( Mr Swayze was great person.. R.I.P
Maria Magdalena Steinarsdottir Says
FROM ICELAND !!!
Very sad to hear =O( He was great legend I grew up on. I loved the movie Dirty dancing and I think I watched it more that 100 times when I was yonger =O)
God bless his family and may he rest in peace ('',)
Charles Says
I don't know if it was the cancer that got him. I'm thinking it was the announcement that "RED DAWN" is being re-made. THAT just about killed me. RIP, Patrick... the Wolverines
won't be the same without you.
Oscar S. Says
Que te vaya bien mi estimado....nos dejaste con buenos recuerdos y emocion en tus peliculas....Descanza en Paz.
My thoghts to his family...may he rest in peace and will always be reminded.
Paula E. Castleberry Says
Patrick and I were were distant cousins........'twigs' on the same family tree and I loved him in Ghost and Dirty Dancing.
He touched my heart with his interview with Barbara Walters not long after his dad died and he got very emotional talking about his dad.
The DEMON Cancer has claimed another good one.
I am so sorry.
Julio Diaz Says
From El Salvador, we remember PATRICK SWAYZE in his movies DIRTY DANCING, GHOST, NORTH AND SOUTH and many others than today will allow to remember PATRICK still alive in our hearts ! God bless his family ! A Star died today, a legend born forever !
Ruth Says
To Mrs Swayze,
Your husband was a great actor, sorry to see him go, he will be surely missed. May his beautiful soul Rest In Peace.
Robert Taylor Says
Regarding the backlash to Haley's comment, but also not siding with her, I don't think anyone will ever burn in hell simply for being ignorant. If so, we'd all be there since we've all had glaring moments of shining ignorance. She is obviously very hurt by her personal experience, but of course her convictions on this issue shouldn't be projected onto anyone else. I would leave it up to Patrick Swayze's family to be bitter towards him if they choose to. It is not anyone else's call. At the end of the day we are all precious to our Creator, and if we really think about it, how many of us will ultimately die as a result of some of our habits, actions and choices that set in course a fatal chain of events, perhaps decades in the making, but we'll never know it.
FRAUN Says
RIP GHOST AND GOD'S ANGELS COMFORT YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Christina Says
You brought so much to the world, and you will not be forgotten. Thank you for all the happiness you brought to your fans.. May you rest in peace. Condolences to Patrick's family. So sorry for your loss.
Carly Says
I am deeply saddened to hear about Patrick Swayze. I always admired him, first as a person, second as an actor. But I will now admire him most for the brave and valiant fight against such a devastating disease.
P.S. To Haley - a member of my extended family died of the same disease as Patrick, and never smoked or drank a day in his life. Tell me, what act of "willful stupidity" brought it on him? Not all cancers are brought on by bad habits, my dear. If you did some research instead of listening only to your own arrogance and ignorance you might know that. I'm with Elizabeth: "...may you burn in hell for your insolance.(sic)"
LynnieOregonian Says
First--"Hayley Says"--you've got one horrible nerve. This isn't about your relative or your experience and Patrick Swayze accepted his life choices as the reason for his cancer. You're right down there in the pig trough with Kanye, Joe Wilson and Serena for saying such insensitive things--they don't help and the negativity only contributes to your sour attitude.
As for Patrick, WELL DONE. You were true to yourself, to your craft as an actor, a dancer but most importantly to your struggles in life--and for better or worse, you were a loving husband to Lisa. Rest in peace--and teach some angels to dance! xoxo
Joe G. Says
I am saddened by Swayze's passing and applaud his great performances. Tall Tale was actually my favorite Swayze film. As a young IATSE member I had always hoped I would have the chance to one day say "I got to work with Patrick Swayze!" I wish his family the very best.
Also, to commentor HALEY, it scares me that there are people in the world who are so conceited as to put shame on and think negatively of a person all because they smoke. To say that a smoker chooses their bad habit over their family is wrong. To quit smoking is incredibly difficult, and for many it is a method of feeling contentment. Much like when you choose to eat a Big Mac because it tastes so good even though each one you eat probably takes a day off the end of your life. I am proud of Swayze as an actor and, from any article I have ever read on him, commemorate him for having the at-most love and devotion to his family.
Elizabeth Says
The world will be a much more empty place without him.
P.S... Haley, may you burn in hell for your insolance.
Sue Johnson Says
A singer, songwriter, dancer, martial arts expert, one of the most versatile actors of my generation and a Hollywood legend with his commitment to his family. Patrick Swayze, you will be missed by all who knew and loved you and everything you stood for.
You may not have beat the cancer but you refused to let it beat you. To Wong Foo-Thanks for everything, Patrick Swayze!
Haley Says
I seriously can't have any sympathy when a person dies from a disease that's brought on by their own willful stupidity. I hope it was worth it to him to hurt the people he loved by choosing to smoke, and continue to do so through his treatment. There's never a reason good enough to tell a child, partner, or friend. "Sorry, Sally - I just love cigarettes more than you." He made his choice, and is now no more because of it. I have the deepest empathy for anyone who cared about him, the same disease killed my father, but he also made the same foolish choices and all I feel is bitter toward a man who chose a simple stupid habit over his family.
Haley Says
I seriously can't have any sympathy when a person dies from a disease that's brought on by their own willful stupidity. I hope it was worth it to him to hurt the people he loved by choosing to smoke, and continue to do so through his treatment. There's never a reason good enough to tell a child, partner, or friend. "Sorry, Sally - I just love cigarettes more than you." He made his choice, and is now no more because of it. I have the deepest empathy for anyone who cared about him, the same disease killed my father, but he also made the same foolish choices and all I feel is bitter toward a man who chose a simple stupid habit over his family.
Neil D'Silva Says
I am a cinematophile today, but the one movie that got me started on this journey was Ghost. I remember being so enraptured by the movie that I watched it over and over again, on a particular weekend. I loved the scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze - the coin scene in particular - and for me that's Patrick Swayze.
Later, when I saw his various action flicks, I was surprised that the same man who portrayed hurt and romance so wistfully could also tot a machine gun so well.
We have lost a very versatile actor today. 2009 has consumed another great legend I grew up on. I don't really need to mention who the other is.
Jason Says
WOLVERINES!!!!!
GOD BLESS
Roger Latham Says
A true Texan; full of grit and grace. You'll be missed ol' buddy.
Mahendra Pratap Singh Says
I am very sad about the news of Patrick Swayze.I always admired his performance in movie named "Ghost","Dirty Dancining" and in "Pointbreak". I always enjoyed his work. We had lost a most talented gem of Hollywood industry. He was a real hero who fought very bravely with that horrible disease.My prayers are with him and his family and may he rest in peacefully.
christy tate Says
am saddened by the passing of a good actor, and a decent human being. patrick swayze was brave to fight the cancer. a family member of mine passed from the same type he had. condolences go to his family and friends.
Brenna King Says
I am saddned to hear about the death of Patrick Swayze. When he dance it was with grace, when he proformed on screen it was with passion, and when he got sick he fought it with bravery. He will be greatly missed. My prayers and condolences are with his family.
mj Says
Patrick Swayze will live on in his works. My favorite was Dirty Dancing, then Roadhose, Ghost, North - South. What a beautiful human being, a committed husband a talent to remember. Peace and love to his lovely wife and his family.
Candy Says
Patrick will be really missed. I have been a fan of his for many years. I was so happy to see him try to fight this Cancer by staying active and not crawling in a hole and giving up. My prayers are with his family and friends
LC Says
Sad sad day. Patrick Swayze was a brave human being. I am going thru chemo and I loved what he said about it: "It's hell on wheels" and he was right about it. My heart goes out to his family. He will be missed.
patricia costantiello Says
I just read about the passing of a wonderful actor and human being. He will be missed...God be with his family and loved ones at this time...No more suffering for this courageous man...
Barbara Turner Says
A valiant fight for a horrible disease. He will be missed. My prayers and condolences to not only his family but ALL who admired and loved him. He is now a shining star above.
Helen Casey Says
Very sad day :(:( . . God bless his family and may he rest peacefully.
Hugh Mowat Says
I was saddened to hear today of the death of Patrick Swayze. I always enjoyed watching him and always admired his work. I loved his part in Ghost alongside Demi Moore. My thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.
Gary Payne Says
It's a sad day when a talented actor like Patrick Swayze dies. My wife started to like him as an acotr when he made North and South and its sequel. I liked him in Red Dawn and Ghost. Our prayers are with him and his family.
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