Short Biography of Patrick Swayze, 1952-2009

Star of Dirty Dancing and Ghost was Once Named Sexiest Man Alive

Sep 15, 2009 Jo Jackson

Patrick Swayze appeared in over 30 movies but is most famous for his roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost. He died of pancreatic cancer on September 14 2009 at the age of 57.

Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on 18 August 1952 in Houston, Texas where he lived until age 20. His mother was a choreographer and dancer and he followed her interests, moving to New York City in 1972 to complete his formal dance traing through ballet. His first professional appearance was as a dancer for Disney on Parade.

His career led him to Broadway and then he had his first movie appearance in the 1979 movie Skatetown, USA. He also appeared in a 1981 episode of M.A.S.H. then had several roles in films and miniseries until his breakthrough role came in the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing where he played dance instructor Johnny Castle.

Dirty Dancing

Dirty Dancing was a low-budget movie that became a surprise hit worldwide. When it went to video it was the first movie to sell over a million copies and both the Dirty Dancing DVD and Dirty Dancing soundtrack still sell well today. Swayze received the first of his three Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in this role.

He co-wrote the Song “She’s Like The Wind” and sang it on the soundtrack. It became a top ten hit and has been covered by several artists. The movie has earned over $300 million worldwide and has been converted to a stage production, a TV series and a computer game.

Ghost

In 1990 Swayze appeared in Ghost with Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg and received his second Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor. He played a banker, Sam Wheat, who returns as a ghost to protect his girlfriend after he is murdered. The scene at the pottery wheel is one of the best known in film history. Following the movie People magazine named him “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1991.

Patrick Swayze’s Personal Life

Swayze met Lisa Niemi, his wife-to-be, in 1970 when he was 18 and she was 14. They married on 12 June 1975 and remained together until his death. Lisa Niemi was a professional dancer and they lived on a ranch near Los Angeles where he bred Arabian horses. He also had a pilots licence and flew light planes.

Patrick Swayze’s Death

Swayze was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas in early 2008 and filmed a TV series The Beast between chemotherapy treatments. Eventually the cancer spread to his liver and despite undergoing various treatments he succumbed to cancer on 14 September 2009 at the age of 57.

He will be fondly remembered by his huge legions of fans for the legacy of his movies, and Patrick Swayze DVDs and movies will be loved and viewed for many, many years.

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