Patrick Swayze, the actor who starred in such hit films as “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost,” passed away on Monday due to complications over his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.
Swayze, born in Houston, Texas, was the son of a choreographer and an engineer drafter.
He started acting in his early twenties and went on to play several small roles, yet a breakout role came in the film version of a book by S.E. Hinton, “The Outsiders,” which co-starred C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, and Ralph Macchio.
Although “The Outsiders” won a great deal of critical acclaim, the role that catapulted Swayze into A-list status would come four years later, as Johnny Castle in “Dirty Dancing” opposite Jennifer Grey, where the dancing lessons he learned as a child growing up would be used for the silver screen.
“Dirty Dancing” went on to earn well over $300 million in worldwide sales.
After several years sitting at the top of the Hollywood echelon of actors with roles in “Ghost” opposite Demi Moore and co-starring with Keanu Reaves in “Point Break,” Swayze would begin an alcohol addiction soon after the death of his father, who coincidentally also died at age 57.
He slipped away into a more secluded life, only to arise in a small roles sprinkled through the years, the most prominent being his more recent role in “Donnie Darko.”
Most recently, Swayze was starring in the new A&E television series, “The Beast,” when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The series would finish one season before getting cancelled in June due to the severity of Swayze’s health.
Swayze leaves behind Lisa Niemi, his wife of 34 years. The couple had no children.
Swayze, born in Houston, Texas, was the son of a choreographer and an engineer drafter.
He started acting in his early twenties and went on to play several small roles, yet a breakout role came in the film version of a book by S.E. Hinton, “The Outsiders,” which co-starred C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, and Ralph Macchio.
Although “The Outsiders” won a great deal of critical acclaim, the role that catapulted Swayze into A-list status would come four years later, as Johnny Castle in “Dirty Dancing” opposite Jennifer Grey, where the dancing lessons he learned as a child growing up would be used for the silver screen.
“Dirty Dancing” went on to earn well over $300 million in worldwide sales.
After several years sitting at the top of the Hollywood echelon of actors with roles in “Ghost” opposite Demi Moore and co-starring with Keanu Reaves in “Point Break,” Swayze would begin an alcohol addiction soon after the death of his father, who coincidentally also died at age 57.
He slipped away into a more secluded life, only to arise in a small roles sprinkled through the years, the most prominent being his more recent role in “Donnie Darko.”
Most recently, Swayze was starring in the new A&E television series, “The Beast,” when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The series would finish one season before getting cancelled in June due to the severity of Swayze’s health.
Swayze leaves behind Lisa Niemi, his wife of 34 years. The couple had no children.
