Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze attend the premiere of "Dirty Dancing" at the Gemini Theater on August 17, 1987, in New York City. (Photo by Jim Smeal)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1987
New York City, NY, USA
Patrick Swayze circa 1987 in New York City. (Photo by Images Press)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1987
New York City, New York, United States
Patrick Swayze and wife Lisa Niemi circa 1987 in New York City. (Photo by Images Press)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1988
New York City, New York, United States
Liza Minnelli and Patrick Swayze attend the 30th Annual Grammy Awards circa 1988 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Platzer)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1990
Patrick Swayze 07/15/1990 (Photo by Jonathan Exley)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1990
Patrick Swayze, circa 1990. (Photo by Kypros)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1990
Patrick Swayze (Photo by Aaron Rapoport)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1990
Patrick Swayze (Photo by Aaron Rapoport)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1990
Patrick Swayze (Photo by Aaron Rapoport)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1991
Patrick Swayze poses at a portrait session. (Photo by Jonathan Exley)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1992
Los Angeles International Airport, Tom Bradley International Terminal, 380 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi rubbing noses while slow dancing in front of old fashioned jukebox at Planet Hollywood. (Photo by Time Life Pictures)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1992
Patrick Swayze and his wife. Circa 1992.
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1993
Los Angeles, California, USA
Patrick Swayze poses at the Golden Globe Awards, Los Angeles, California, January 1993. (Photo by DMI)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1994
New York City, New York, United States
Patrick Swayze at Club USA - 1994 in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Steve Eichner)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1994
Patrick Swayze (Photo by Kypros)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
1998
Patrick Swayze (Photo by Henry Diltz)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
2005
Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swayze (Photo by Denise Truscello)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
2005
Patrick Swayze (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
2005
3 Cranbourn St, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7AL, UK
Patrick Swayze and Tamsin Egerton during "Keeping Mum" London Premiere at Vue Leicester Square in London, Great Britain. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
2008
56 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Patrick Swayze attends The Beast Wrap - Party presented by Grey Goose Vodka at The Underground on November 23, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen)
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
175 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
Patrick Swayze celebrates his New Film "One Last Dance" at The Joyce Theater in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Michael Loccisano
Gallery of Patrick Swayze
Achievements
1999
Hollywood Walk of Fame, 7021 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, USA
Patrick Swayze received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.
Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze attend the premiere of "Dirty Dancing" at the Gemini Theater on August 17, 1987, in New York City. (Photo by Jim Smeal)
Patrick Swayze attends The Beast Wrap - Party presented by Grey Goose Vodka at The Underground on November 23, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen)
(In a career spanning more than thirty years, Patrick Sway...)
In a career spanning more than thirty years, Patrick Swayze has made a name for himself on the stage, the screen, and television. Known for his versatility, passion, and fearlessness, he's become one of our most beloved actors. But in February 2008, Patrick announced he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Always a fighter, he refused to let the disease bring him to his knees, and his bravery has inspired both his legion of fans and cancer patients everywhere. Yet this memoir, written with wisdom and heart, recounts much more than his bout with cancer. In vivid detail, Patrick describes his Texas upbringing, his personal struggles, his rise to fame with North and South, his commercial breakthroughs in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and the soul mate who's stood by his side through it all: his wife, writer and director Lisa Niemi.
(A story for anybody who’s ever dreamed of being somebody!...)
A story for anybody who’s ever dreamed of being somebody! TV legend John Ritter is Bubba Newman, a major-league baseball player who has just been dropped by his big-league team and has his dream of glory and stardom taken away from him. He meets Megan Barrett, a supervisor of playground activities for the city, who asks him to coach a team of youngsters.
(A motorcycle gang reunites for a 25-year reunion and help...)
A motorcycle gang reunites for a 25-year reunion and help out the widow of a former gang member as she struggles against punks who are threatening the camp ground she runs.
(Life in the small town of Grandview, Illinois is one that...)
Life in the small town of Grandview, Illinois is one that is just like any other city or town. Tim Pearson, soon to be graduating high school wants to go to Florida to study oceanography. He meets Michelle "Mike" Cody and is attracted to her. She runs the local Demolition Derby place. Ernie "Slam" Webster is one of the drivers in the derby who's wife is cheating on him and wants to, later on, be with Mike. Tim falls for Mike and a big love triangle is about to happen.
(In this non-stop, death-defying action thriller, the outb...)
In this non-stop, death-defying action thriller, the outbreak of World War III has occurred, leaving a group of mid-western high school students turned refugees to slowly organize themselves into an effective guerilla force. The group becomes sophisticated enough to challenge and take on Soviet invaders.
(Chuck brought sorrow to his family when he shot his fathe...)
Chuck brought sorrow to his family when he shot his father who is now a semi-invalid. After 15 years of self destruction, he returns home to seek forgiveness.
(When Dalton, a brawny bouncer with an NYU degree in philo...)
When Dalton, a brawny bouncer with an NYU degree in philosophy, is hired to police a rowdy bar in the Midwest and falls in love with Doc (Kelly Lynch), he angers her mean ex-boyfriend who vows to win her back.
(Patrick Swayze plays a ghost who teams with a psychic (Ac...)
Patrick Swayze plays a ghost who teams with a psychic (Academy-Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg) to uncover the truth behind his murder - and to rescue his sweetheart (Demi Moore) from a similar fate.
(Johny Utah, an FBI agent goes undercover to unmask band o...)
Johny Utah, an FBI agent goes undercover to unmask band of thrill-seeking surfers who rob banks fund their addiction to pulling off most daring score & riding biggest wave-Point Break.
(A Hollywood studio executive with a shaky moral compass (...)
A Hollywood studio executive with a shaky moral compass (Tim Robbins) finds himself caught up in a criminal situation that would be right at home in one of his movie projects, in this biting industry satire from Robert Altman.
(An American doctor, a British nurse and an illiterate Ind...)
An American doctor, a British nurse and an illiterate Indian farmer join together to transform a Calcutta ghetto in this uplifting, inspirational movie starting Patrick Swayze and Pauline Collins.
(A young boy's imagination summons cowboy legend Pecos Bil...)
A young boy's imagination summons cowboy legend Pecos Bill; who helps him save the family farm from a greedy land-grabber. With the help of a lumberjack and a railroad worker; they all embark on a surprise-filled adventure.
(Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo star as...)
Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo star as three "girls" who just wanna have fun in a hilarious comedy about repairing broken hearts, broken dreams and broken nails.
(In an unexplained act of charity, Jeanne Holman, picks up...)
In an unexplained act of charity, Jeanne Holman, picks up an injured, apparent tramp and takes him home to care for him little realising who he was or the effect he would have on her life and those of her family.
(When an ex-con (Patrick Swayze) reluctantly agrees to dri...)
When an ex-con (Patrick Swayze) reluctantly agrees to drive a mystery load cross-country, he unwittingly becomes part of an explosive, pedal-to-the-metal battle between a gang and the FBI.
(Race Darnell killed time on Death Row by writing love let...)
Race Darnell killed time on Death Row by writing love letters to women on the outside. But when his letters are sent to the wrong girlfriends, one of his "lovers" wants him dead.
(Starring Patrick Swayze and Forest Whitaker, "Green Drago...)
Starring Patrick Swayze and Forest Whitaker, "Green Dragon" is the story of Vietnamese refugees as they first arrive at Camp Pendleton in the United States as the Vietnam war ends in 1975.
(In the wake of tragedy, a renowned New York dance company...)
In the wake of tragedy, a renowned New York dance company is on the brink of collapse. After leaving the dance world for good, Travis (Patrick Swayze), Chrissa and Max are pulled in to resurrect the dance that shattered their careers. They have one last chance to save the company, re-connect with the passion and magic and prove that miracles really can happen.
(It's 1958 when the Miller family moves to Havana, where 1...)
It's 1958 when the Miller family moves to Havana, where 18-year-old Katy's (Romola Garai) parents expect her to be the belle of the high-society ball. Instead, she falls for Xavier (Diego Luna), a waiter who teaches her how to dance and partners with her for an upcoming contest. But Fidel Castro's rise to power forces Americans to depart, putting Katy and Xavier's relationship in jeopardy.
(When a knight decides to retire to a peaceful life in the...)
When a knight decides to retire to a peaceful life in the North of England, he becomes involved in a quest to find the King's missing daughter but stumbles across something much bigger.
(Three kids and their Dad move from L.A to Edmonton. When ...)
Three kids and their Dad move from L.A to Edmonton. When they go shopping at West Edmonton Mall they find counterfeit cash. They inadvertently help catch the crooks, and later make a discovery about Santa.
(This Emmy Award-winning powerful adaptation of John Jakes...)
This Emmy Award-winning powerful adaptation of John Jakes' best-seller tells the story of the turbulent events and emotions that ignited the Civil War. In the tradition of Gone With The Wind, this glorious epic focuses on the lives of two families who are geographically and ideologically placed on opposite sides of the war - The North and The South.
(The mischievous Barker hazes Dove as they go undercover o...)
The mischievous Barker hazes Dove as they go undercover on their first case to infiltrate a weapons smuggling ring. Barker brilliantly manipulates situations, constantly tests his new partner's abilities, and pushes him to delve deeper into the roles of the undercover characters he creates. Although Dove takes a liking to Barker, the new job takes its toll on him.
Patrick Swayze was an American Golden Globe-nominated actor. Patrick Swayze was one of the most versatile actors that Hollywood has produced and the characters which he portrayed firmed his position in the film industry.
Background
Ethnicity:
Patrick Swayze was of English, along with Irish, Scottish, and possibly Dutch descent.
Patrick Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, the United States, to Patsy Swayze (née Yvonne Helen Karnes), a choreographer, and Jesse Wayne Swayze, a chemical plant engineer draftsman. He had an older sister, Vickie (1949-1994), two younger brothers, actor Don (born 1958) and Sean (born 1962), and one younger sister, Bambi.
His mother owned a dance school in Houston, where Patrick was also a student. Swayze's mother, director of the Houston Jazz Ballet Company, introduced her son to dance at an early age. His father passed away in 1982.
Growing up in Houston, Swayze was constantly pushed by his mom. While he would later credit her for his strong work ethic, her demand for perfectionism at times veered into physical abuse. On Patrick’s 18th birthday, his father, Jesse Swayze, warned Patsy that he would divorce her if she ever hit their son again.
Education
Swayze received education from St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School, Black Middle School, and Waltrip High School. He was engaged in many extra curriculum activities such as swimming, gymnastics, football, and dancing.
While still in grade school, Swayze developed a love for ballet and was often teased by fellow classmates. Throughout high school, he set aside his dance career to concentrate on athletics like gymnastics, swimming, and football. After graduation, he was offered both athletic and dance scholarships. Swayze opted for athletics and enrolled at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas, where he focused on gymnastics. Two years later, he left school to tour with the Disney on Parade ice show, as Snow White's Prince Charming.
In 1972, Swayze traveled to New York City to pursue a dance career. He began training with the Harkness and Joffrey Ballet companies and was soon hired as a principal dancer with the Eliot Feld Ballet Company. However, his success was cut short when an old football injury required that he undergo knee surgery. The operation, coupled with the infection that followed, caused Swayze to leave the prestigious Feld Company.
In 1976, Swayze redirected his efforts toward stage acting and made his Broadway debut in Goodtime Charley. He later appeared in West Side Story, and in 1978, he won the leading role in the musical Grease. Swayze's high-profile performance as Danny Zuko led to many television and movie offers.
Swayze's stage success brought him to Hollywood, where he made his film debut as a vigilante roller skater in Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979). He added television to his repertoire in 1981 with a notable portrayal of a leukemia patient M*A*S*H, before enjoying a breakout screen role in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders (1983), alongside Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon and Emilio Estevez. Swayze went on to appear in 1984 features Red Dawn and Grandview, U.S.A., as well as the 1985 miniseries North and South and its 1986 sequel.
It was the release of the surprise hit Dirty Dancing (1987) that brought Swayze instant celebrity and established him as Hollywood's newest heartthrob. The film featured Swayze as the misunderstood dance instructor Johnny Castle, a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Dirty Dancing also allowed Swayze to pursue a singing career. Inspired by his relationship with his wife, Lisa, Swayze and co-writer Stacy Widelitz penned the song "She's Like the Wind" for the film's soundtrack. "I had been meeting girls with names like Mimi and Angel. And for a long time I didn't feel like I deserved her," Swayze told People magazine. "I just felt at that time that I'm very, very lucky to have a woman who thinks I hung the moon."
The song resonated with music fans and the single catapulted to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
In 1989, Swayze starred in two action features, Road House and Next of Kin, which both enjoyed modest success at the box office. A year later, he fought for and won the lead role in Jerry Zucker's romantic drama Ghost (1990). The film, which co-starred Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, revived Swayze's struggling career. Ghost grossed over $200 million and earned Swayze a second Golden Globe nomination.
In 1991, the same year he adorned the cover of People magazine as "The Sexiest Man Alive," Swayze partnered with Keanu Reeves in the action-adventure Point Break. The following year he turned to drama, playing an American doctor in India in the City of Joy. Both films met with moderate success, and Swayze's ascent seemed to taper off for the next few years.
In 1995, Swayze teamed up with fellow actors Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo to play a trio of drag queens in the comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Swayze's performance as Vida Boheme won him a third Golden Globe nomination in 1996. However, his follow-up features Black Dog (1998) and Letters from a Killer (1998) were largely dismissed by critics.
Swayze went on to star in the romantic comedies Forever Lulu (2000), with Melanie Griffith and Wakin' Up In Reno (2002), with Natasha Richardson and Charlize Theron. In between, he played a television personality with a dark secret in the cult hit Donnie Darko (2001). Swayze also appeared in another acclaimed indie release, 11:14 (2003), while returning to his roots for One Last Dance (2003) and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004).
Swayze's late-career film work included roles in the dramas Jump! (2008) and Powder Blue (2009). Also in 2009, he starred in the lone season of the A&E series The Beast, as FBI veteran and loose cannon Charles Barker.
In 2019, the documentary I Am Patrick Swayze was set to air on the Paramount Network on what would have been the actor's 67th birthday. The doc included recollections from Dirty Dancing co-star Jennifer Grey and Ghost director Jerry Zucker, as well as the revelation that Swayze had been subjected to physical abuse at the hands of his hard-driving mother.
Gaining fame with appearances in films during the 1980s, Patrick Swayze became popular for playing tough guys and romantic lead males, giving him a wide fan base with female audiences and a status as a sex symbol. He was named by People magazine as its Sexiest Man Alive in 1991.
During his career, Swayze received three Golden Globe Award nominations, for Dirty Dancing (1987), Ghost (1990), and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995). He wrote and recorded the popular song "She's Like the Wind", and was posthumously awarded the Rolex Dance Award in 2009.
Swayze received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California in 1999.
(The mischievous Barker hazes Dove as they go undercover o...)
2009
Religion
Swayze was raised a Catholic and went to a Catholic school as a youngster. And throughout his life, he remained a man of faith. He said: "I have a great deal of faith in faith; if you believe something strongly enough, it becomes true for you… I don’t believe that just flesh and bones can contain from the point of view of physics this very real recorded energy inside of us. Whether it’s true or not, we need to believe it."
In 1989, Swayze said, "I've always felt there was something different in there (my personality), but I was scared to look. For I fear I wouldn't find anything. That's the reason I got into Buddhism, took EST training, was into therapy, into Scientology, into Transcendental Meditation. I was trying to support that side of myself. But, you know, in Texas there isn't much support for that part of you." He also had said he was interested in and loved looking into different [religious] belief systems and faith[s], how it matters to other people, and how these various religious teachings are important to him in his world.
Politics
Swayze, despite lifelong fame, managed to keep his political preferences and ideas out of the limelight. When he was in the midst of battling cancer, Swayze did appeal to the U.S. Congress with a formal, open letter, asking for more funding for cancer research. He wrote: "My message to our senators and representatives is simple: Vote for the maximum funding to let the National Institutes of Health fight cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. It’s not only good for our nation’s health; it’s also good for our economic well-being."
Views
Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late January 2008 and spent much time working with cancer charities, including Entertainment Industry Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and Stand Up To Cancer.
Swayze appeared on the ABC, NBC, and CBS simulcast of Stand Up to Cancer in September 2008, to appeal to the general public for donations for the initiative. Swayze said to a standing ovation, "I dream that the word 'cure' will no longer be followed by the words 'it's impossible'. Together, we can make a world where cancer no longer means living with fear, without hope, or worse." After the show ended, Swayze remained onstage and talked to other cancer patients.
Quotations:
"My big regret is the physical damage I've done to my body. I can do almost anything physically and I used to believe I was invincible, breaking bones over and over, playing football, doing gymnastics, diving, ballet, doing my own stunts, kickboxing, staging fights... It all seems a little stupid to me now."
"Facing your own mortality is the quickest way possible to find out what you're made of. It strips away all the bull - and exposes every part of you, your strength, your weaknesses, your sense of self, your soul. It also leads you to confront life's hardest questions."
"I've seriously cut down. I was one of those dumb ones that started back in the Marlborough Man days whose - you know, it was cool. I'm a cowboy. But I'll tell you one thing. I will talk so hardcore against smoking for kids. That's one reason I've never smoked in front of children."
Personality
Swayze entered rehab treatment for alcoholism in the 1990s. After an initial recovery, he temporarily withdrew from show business, retreating to his ranches in California and Las Vegas, New Mexico, to breed Arabian horses. His best-known horse was Tammen, a chestnut Arabian stallion.
After five school bullies beat Patrick up, his father convinced the coach to let his son have a fair fight with each one of them, one on one. The coach agreed. Patrick and the bullies met in the weight shack and had it out, this time in a fair fight. Patrick beat all five of them, fair and square, and word got around that he was the toughest guy in the school.
He was a licensed pilot like his wife. However, in 2000, while flying with his dogs in a twin-engine Cessna from Southern California to his ranch in Las Vegas, he experienced what he called a “pressure bump” or pressurization failure while flying over Prescott Valley, Arizona. He managed to fly the plane until he found a street inside the Mingus West suburban community and was able to land but with a few glitches - hit a pair of street light poles, cut a street sign, and stumped a utility box.
Patrick battled pancreatic cancer while filming the 2009 TV show The Beast. He reportedly didn’t take painkillers while filming because he didn’t want to take the edge off his character.
Swayze's name has become a commonly used term in hip hop songs. Lyrics will use the phrase "...and I'm Swayze", meaning that the speaker has become "like a ghost", meaning he disappeared or is otherwise gone. This is a reference to the title character of Swayze's film Ghost (1990). It began in the early 1990s, by rappers such as EPMD, Black Sheep, and CL Smooth. The use of Swayze's name has continued to be used by such rappers as The Notorious B.I.G. in 2Pac's song "Runnin' (Dying to Live)", Sir Mix-a-Lot in "Swap Meet Louie", Chali 2na in "So Crazy", Method Man, Aesop Rock, Mistah F.A.B.'s "Ghost Ride It", Bad Meets Evil's "Fast Lane", Denzel Curry, and in Mobb Deep's song "The Start of Your Ending (41st Side)", as well as Frank Ocean's song “Swim Good”. Swayze himself appeared in the music video for Ja Rule's song "Murder Reigns". The most recent usage of Swayze's name is in the Eminem diss "Killshot".
Physical Characteristics:
Swayze had an athletic build. He had a height of 5’10” or 178 cm, and a weight of 152 lbs or 69 kg. He also had light brown hair and grey eyes.
In late December 2007, just after filming the pilot episode for The Beast, Swayze began to suffer a burning feeling in his stomach caused by a blockage of his bile ducts. Three weeks later, in mid-January 2008, he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Quotes from others about the person
“Patrick lived a thousand lifetimes in one lifetime. He was an expert dancer, he wrote hit songs, he starred in hit movies, he was an amazing horseman. But the thing I will remember him most for was his amazing love affair with his wife Lisa.” - Rob Lowe.
“He said a beautiful thing: ’I’m just an individual living with cancer’, That’s how he wants to be thought of. He’s in a fight, but he’s a fighter.” - Laura Ziskin
Interests
dancing, aircraft
Sport & Clubs
gymnastics, football
Connections
Swayze met his future wife, Lisa Niemi when she was a 15-year-old student at his mother's dance studio in the early 1970s. They were married in 1975.
After Lisa had a miscarriage in 1990, the couple gave up on having children. Instead, they invested their time and love on their ranch full of dogs, horses, and cattle. "We're a team," Swayze said of he and his wife. "A relationship survives because of keeping the friendship alive and learning how to fall in love over and over again and never taking the other person for granted and seeing things in a new light with new eyes."
Father:
Jesse Wayne Swayze
Mother:
Patsy Swayze
Spouse:
Lisa Niemi
Swayze was married to Lisa Niemi for 34 years from June 12, 1975, until his death, and they had no children. They met in 1970 when Swayze was 18 years old. Niemi, 14 years old at the time, was taking dance lessons from Swayze's mother. In a 2008 interview, Swayze stated that Niemi was the inspiration for his hit song, "She's Like the Wind" (1987).