Patrick Swayze, who died Monday at 57 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, was best known as 'Dirty Dancing''s Johnny Castle, the dancer from the streets who wouldn't let anybody put Baby in a corner.But he's remembered for numerous other roles as well -- the bouncer from 'Road House,' the loving dead husband from 'Ghost,' the bank-robbing surfer from 'Point Break,' the resistance leader from 'Red Dawn.'
Though the muscular Swayze tended to play characters with a bit of rough 'n' tumble to them, by all accounts he had a fairly normal suburban childhood, growing up near Houston, studying drama and dance and training at the Joffrey Ballet. His first professional gig was as a dancer at the Disney on Parade; he later played Danny Zuko in the Broadway production of 'Grease.'
He'd already acted in 'The Outsiders,' 'Red Dawn' and 'Youngblood' before his breakthrough in 1987's 'Dirty Dancing,' in which he played a dancer who shows Jennifer Grey the time of her life. (Raise your hand if you once had a giant white poster of Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle on your wall. Ahem.) His fame even included a brief musical career, as his song 'She's Like the Wind,' which he co-wrote and recorded for the soundtrack, hit #3 on the Billboard charts and was later covered by David Hasselhoff (the ultimate honor).Next came 1989's 'Road House, with the tagline "The dancing's over. Now it gets dirty," and then the 1990 romantic hit 'Ghost,' featuring the scene that made couples everywhere run to sign up for pottery-making classes.
He continued working steadily after 'Ghost,' most notably in 'Point Break' (1991), 'To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar' (1995) and 'Donnie Darko' (2001). But in many ways he still remains, along with the Brat Pack, one of the iconic figures of the '80s -- the quintessential tough guy with a heart so golden, he even knew how to dance. Swayze was still active up until the end, starring in 13 episodes of A&E's drama series 'The Beast,' which was canceled after its run earlier this year.
Actor, dancer, tough guy, softie ... RIP, Patrick Swayze. You'll be missed.
Share your thoughts on Patrick Swayze in the comments below.
Reader Comments (466)
Lulu at 12:34AM on Sep 15th 2009
As someone who has a family member battling cancer, I was following Patrick Swayze's progress. He fought to the very end, and was one of the most strong, private celebrities. He will be remembered for his courage and determination in the face of a terrible diagnosis.
Bobby at 8:48PM on Sep 15th 2009
I ALSO HAD A BOUT WITH CANCER .ITS JUST A CREEPY WORD I WISH THEY KNEW MORE ABOUT .IAM DOING WELL BUT MY BOY PATRICK ITS JUST ASHAME HE WAS GREAT I LOVED ALL HIS MOVIES AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED BY MYSELF HE WAS COOL GUY. REST IN PEACE. BOBBY.
Marie Norteman at 8:51PM on Sep 15th 2009
I will always remember Patrick Swazey for his
humbleness and kindness. I am saddened by his
passing. I will always admire how he fought.
I too had an Aunt who passed away from pancreantic
cancer.
My heart goes out to his family.
patty at 11:10PM on Sep 15th 2009
i lost my father to lung cancer on 9/13/09. i know what the family went throu .my father fought to the end to.he was 82 in perfect health till then.it took him in 9 months.i loved patrick movies and well be missed.my heat goes out to his family & friends.
patty
Joy at 11:45PM on Sep 15th 2009
Cancer is a dirty word! My husband died in 1980 he was only 1 yr older than Patrick he was 58. It was 2 years before I could remove my wedding ring to my right hand. I dated but not seriously It was 8 years later I remarried we have been married 21 years this friday. We are very happy together but neither of us have forgotten our mates that passed. I still remember him fondly. I keep his memory alive by thinking about the good times sometimes my husband and I talk about our departed mates with eachother.
The memory of a person is all that is left when they die and that is left with the people whose life they touched.
and it is up to us to let that memory remain alive. If you loose someone be sure to think on the good times and let him or her remain by remembering. Those memories are locked inside you for your life time don't let them go to waste.
I'll always remember Patrict Swazey for his role in Dirty dancing. for one reason his name was Johnny and so was my 1st husband and he was so much like my husband who died at 36 in an accident and I can see myself in Baby's character. The senes they played together...when i watch it, it is me and Johnny all over again. My heart aches for Patrick's family and for you however cancer has touched your life. Just remember you are not alone. My brother in law just died with blood cancer. my best friend has just been told she has breast cancer. she had a lumpectomy and now has been called back they say it is worse than they first thought. I pray for you and your loved one. Have faith. God does heal. I pray he does in your case.
Remember that life on earth is temporary we all must die. Life will cease for a little while then eternal life begins. It'll be much better than this I promise you.
With many prayers for your family
Joy
Laura at 2:25AM on Sep 16th 2009
God bless you Patrick Swayze. May you live in peace in heaven with our Lord and savior. You were a very good man and a good virtuous man in Hollywood is hard to find. May the Lord give your wife and mother strength to get past your loss. God bless you forever and always....
One of your fans will will love you always....L
marcia at 1:31AM on Sep 15th 2009
to patrick swayze family as a family that lost a father and grandfather to this awful cancer we want to send our condolences and tell u how so sorry we are that u lost him he fought so hard and long!!.growin up watchin him he bcame a household name here as a family our country has lost a great person he will forever b missed our love and prayers to the family.RIP PATRICK U WILL B MISSED
MARCIA AND FAMILY
MICHIGAN
MARCIA at 2:00AM on Sep 15th 2009
it is so hard to pick just anyone of his movies i have almost every single one of them.i know he was a great great actor and loved his family very much i pray the good memories of him carry u thru this hard hard time
sincerly
marcia @ family
michigan
PJ at 12:55AM on Sep 15th 2009
Thank U Patrick for the many movies! My daughter will always have "Dirty Dancing" as one of her fav's, I will never make it thru "Ghost" without crying and we will always remember "Too Wong" with a smile. And the many other movies and TV that u were in, u were a wonderful actor! U will be missed, but I know u r in a much better place, U put up a good fight thats for sure! Gods speed!!
Jesse at 1:20AM on Sep 15th 2009
It's always very sad to hear of one more person dying from this horrific disease. My mother passed away from lung cancer 10 years ago, she too put up a strong fight and a good face to her family. Patrick you will be remembered for all the great movies you've made, but most probably for your beautiful strength and will to live. I know the first face you see will be of a loved one who will guide you through to a beautiful new existence. My sincere condolences to the family.
lora at 2:27AM on Sep 16th 2009
I too lost my mom to Cancer almost a year ago. October 17, 2008 She was only 53yrs old. To Stomach Cancer. She fought till the end. My heart goes out to his wife and family.You will be missed. RIP..
Christine at 1:56AM on Sep 15th 2009
I remembered when I was in Elementary school, 2nd grade, maybe, we did a routine to Dirty Dancing's theme song. Then I remember seeing Ghost & never being able to forget the scene where he started to teach Demi how to mold that clay pot/vase. All I could say is my heart & prayer goes out to you & your family. You will be remembered as a great actor that worked in the Film Industry. We wouldn't be the same w/o you. Singing: "And I have the time of our lives and I never felt this way before. And I swear it's the truth and I owe it all to you..." (sob...). Love ya & Miss ya!
Tyler at 7:49AM on Sep 15th 2009
I am so sorry that Patrick Swayze died last night. Does anyone know how to contact his family to state my heartfelt message.
Larzz at 5:09PM on Sep 15th 2009
I believe letters to his family can be reached here:
Swayze Family
11420 Lemoncrest Avenue
Sylmar, CA 91342-6941
USA
or his fan address:
Patrick Swayze
Delaney Management, Inc.
3238 Fond Drive
Encino, CA 91436
USA
Mel at 8:29PM on Sep 15th 2009
Try looking in your local paper obits. They usually have a web site you can log on to add your condolences.
Evelyn M. at 9:03PM on Sep 15th 2009
Hey Tyler,
A few years back Patrick had a huge ranch other side of Denton, Texas in what is known as horse country. My mom and daddy ( whom my daddy is deceased) took us out there and all you could see was the front entrance of the ranch. Just beautiful bushes in front! As far as I know, I'm sure he still owns the rance, being such a horse lover and that's beautiful country in that area. You might want to check into this to see if he still owns the ranch or not. I feel your pain also for Patrick. My whole family is devastated over this. But; he's no longer suffering and in such a better place, God rest his soal! We all loved him!!! Good luck in your search!
Phyllis at 9:59PM on Sep 15th 2009
Tyler if you ever find out the familys address please forward it to me I would like to make a donation in his memory I did not know him or his family but I loved the person he was
samantha madeley at 11:29AM on Sep 15th 2009
it's very sad patrick swayze has died he will be missed by everyone he was a great actor especially in dirty dancing and in ghost he will be remembered for those films but i will also remember him for the roles he played in next of kin and roadhouse.my thought's are with his family at this sad time godbless abd rest in peace you will be sadly missed by all xx.
Crista at 12:58PM on Sep 15th 2009
I knew Patrick "Buddy" Swayze in High School. We were in theater class together and the school musicals for 2 years. We all knew that he would fulfill his dreams in theater. He had a quiet belief that he would. He was not arrogant about it. He was just focused on it.
Our birthdays are one day apart but I graduated before he did, and now that I look at the pictures of us together and his note in my yearbook, I remember the children we were.
I purhased the movie "One Last Dance" to see Lisa and Patrick dancing together. It is a "dancer's" movie, but being a dance teacher and choreographer, it works for me. My former husband was in boy scouts with him, so our children grew up watching Patrick on film and feeling like they really knew him. The four of us are sad this happened to him.
yvonne at 9:30PM on Sep 15th 2009
Thank you so much for mentioning "One Last Dance." I'd heard they were doing a movie but didn't know when or the name!!! That will be one for me to see as "Dirty Dancing" is one of my all-time favorites!!!!! We all miss him!