Patrick Swayze was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and Road House. He was also a talented dancer and choreographer, with a career that spanned several decades.
Personal and Family Life
Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, to Patsy Swayze, a choreographer, and Jesse Wayne Swayze, a chemical plant engineer. He attended the Harkness Ballet School and Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Patrick married actress and dancer Lisa Niemi on June 12, 1975, whom he met when she was a student at his mother’s dance school.
Career Overview
Patrick began his career in dance and transitioned to acting, making his film debut in Skatetown U.S.A. (1979) and appearing in the TV show MASH (1981). He gained fame as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing (1987) and received critical acclaim for his role in Ghost (1990), which became the highest-grossing film of that year. Despite his early success, some of his later films did not perform well at the box office.
Death and Legacy
Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008 and fought bravely against the illness for over a year. He continued to work during his battle with cancer but sadly passed away on September 14, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. Swayze is remembered as a talented actor and dancer who left a lasting impact on Hollywood.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty Dancing | 1987-08-21 | Johnny Castle |
| Ghost | 1990-07-13 | Sam Wheat |
| Road House | 1989-05-19 | James Dalton |
| The Outsiders | 1983-03-25 | Darrel Curtis |
| Point Break | 1991-07-12 | Bodhi |
| Donnie Darko | 2001-01-19 | Jim Cunningham |
| City of Joy | 1992-04-15 | Max Lowe |
| Youngblood | 1986-01-31 | Derek Sutton |
| Black Dog | 1998-05-01 | Jack Crews |
| Waking Up in Reno | 2002-12-13 | Roy Kirkendall |