| Swayze's first professional appearance was as a dancer for Disney on Parade. He starred as Danny Zuko in the Broadway theatre production of Grease before his debut film role as "Ace" in Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979). He also appeared as Pvt. Sturgis in the M*A*S*H episode "Blood Brothers" (episode 9.18, 6 April 1981). Swayze became known to the film industry after appearing in The Outsiders (1983) as the older brother of C. Thomas Howell and Rob Lowe. Swayze, Howell, and Howell's friend Darren Dalton reunited in Red Dawn the next year, and Lowe and Swayze reunited in Youngblood, where he was considered a member of the Brat Pack, but his first major success was in the 1985 television miniseries North and South, which was set during the American Civil War.
His real breakthrough to stardom came with his performance as the dance instructor in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, alongside his Red Dawn costar, Jennifer Grey. His earlier ballet experience came to good use in this film. Dirty Dancing was a low-budget project that was intended to be shown in theaters for one weekend only and then go straight to video, but it became a surprise hit and achieved massive international success. It was the first film to sell one million copies on video, and as of 2007, has earned over US$ 300-million worldwide and spawned several alternate versions, ranging from a television series to stage productions to a computer game. Swayze received a Golden Globe Award nomination for the role and also sang one of the songs on the soundtrack, "She's Like the Wind," which he had originally cowritten with Stacy Widelitz for the film Grandview, U.S.A. The song became a top ten hit and has been covered by other artists, such as David Hasselhoff, and in 2006 was converted into a hip-hop version by Lumidee, who took it to the top of the charts in Germany.
After Dirty Dancing, Swayze found himself heavily typecast as beefcake and appeared in several flops, of which Road House (1989) was the most successful. His biggest hit came in 1990, when he starred in Ghost, with Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. This role had considerable cultural impact, and modern hip-hop lyrics routinely use the phrase "I'm Swayze" (meaning "I'm ghost," which is in turn slang for "I'm leaving") in reference to that film (for more info, see the "Cultural Impact" section of the movie Ghost). In 1991, he starred alongside Youngblood castmate Keanu Reeves in another major action hit, Point Break, and was also chosen by People magazine as that year's "Sexiest Man Alive."
Swayze was seriously injured in 1996 while filming HBO's Letters from a Killer in the Ione area, when he fell from a horse and hit a tree. Both of his legs were broken and he suffered four detached tendons in his shoulder. Filming was suspended for two months, but the film aired in 1999. Swayze recovered from his injuries, but had trouble resuming his career until 2000, when he costarred in Waking Up in Reno, with Billy Bob Thornton and Charlize Theron, and in Forever Lulu, with Melanie Griffith. In 2001, he appeared in Donnie Darko, where he played a motivational speaker and closet pedophile, and in 2004, he played Allan Quatermain in King Solomon's Mines. He also had a cameo appearance in the Dirty Dancing prequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004) as an unnamed dance instructor.
He made his London stage debut in the musical Guys and Dolls as Nathan Detroit on July 27, 2006, alongside Neil Jerzak, and remained in the role until November 25, 2006. His previous appearances on the Broadway stage had included productions of Goodtime Charley (1975) and Chicago (2003). Swayze's latest starring role was in the film Christmas in Wonderland (2007). In August 2007, Swayze played an aging rock star in the upcoming film Powder Blue (slated for 2009 release), costarring his younger brother Don in their first film together. Patrick recently wrapped taping on A&E pilot/FBI drama The Beast, filming in Chicago in summer 2008; he was slated to play FBI Agent Charles Barker. The Beast was scheduled to air in early 2009.
Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on March 6, 2008, and lost his battle with the illness on September 14, 2009. He died peacefully with his family by his side.
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| | Eye color | Blue | | Height | 5'10" | | Nickname |
| | Notable features | Blue eyes
Great looks
| | Education | St. Rose of Lima Catholic School,
Oak Forest Elementary School,
Black Middle School,
Waltrip High School Graduate,
San Jacinto College | | Family | Lisa Niemi (wife)
Patsy Swayze (mother)
Jesse Swayze ( Father died in 1982)
Vicky Swayze (died in 1994)- Sister
Don Swayze- Brother
Sean Swayze- brother
| | Lives in | New Mexico
| | Religion | Patrick is a former Roman Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist and Scientologist. | | Hobbies | Skydiving, horseback riding | | Charities and causes | Patrick worked with cancer charities after being diagnosed with cancer. | | Horoscope sign | Leo | | His battle with cancer | His A&E series, The Beast, was reportedly canceled in June 2009 because Swayze was too ill.
His publicist said the Hollywood actor was still undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer as of January 2009, contrary to reports claiming he decided to stop.
Reportedly gave up all medical treatment for his cancer after doctors told him there was little they could do to stop the progress of his illness. (January 28, 2009)
Was writing his memoirs as of January 2009.
Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi renewed their wedding vows in a ''fairytale'' ceremony by recreating the classic story of Snow White. (January 2009)
He admitted in January 2009 that he might have just two years to live after an already 12-month long battle with late stage pancreatic cancer.
Swayze, who was battling deadly pancreatic cancer, amazed everyone on the set of the cop drama The Beast by doing his own action scenes and stunts. (2008)
He put in 12-hour days on the set of his new TV series The Beast, despite battling pancreatic cancer. (August 2008)
Has was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on March 6, 2008, and lost his battle with the illness on September 14, 2009.
Demi Moore, who played Swayze's fiancee in "Ghost," wrote: "Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives." |
Next of Kin
The Beast
 Black Dog  North and South
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NORTHEASTJULIETposted 2 hours ago
