Patrick Swayze

1. Overview

Patrick Swayze (Patrick Wayne Swayze_SWAY-zee^English; August 18, 1952 - September 14, 2009) was an American actor, dancer, singer, and songwriter. Renowned for his versatile performances in romantic, action-packed, and comedic roles across both blockbuster and cult films, Swayze achieved widespread recognition throughout his career. His most iconic roles include Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing (1987), Sam Wheat in Ghost (1990), and Bodhi in Point Break (1991). He was also known for his musical talent, notably co-writing and performing the hit song "She's Like the Wind". Swayze garnered three Golden Globe nominations and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997. In 1991, he was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine, solidifying his status as a teen idol and sex symbol. Swayze passed away at the age of 57 after a public and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

2. Early life

Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas. He was the second child of Patsy Swayze (née Karnes; 1927-2013), an influential dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor, and Jesse Wayne Swayze (1925-1982), an engineering draftsman and rodeo cowboy. Swayze had an older sister named Vickie (1949-1994), two younger brothers, actor Don Swayze (born 1958) and Sean (born 1962), and an adopted younger sister, Bambi (born 1966).

Swayze's paternal ancestry can be traced to John Swasey (1619-1706), an Englishman from Bridport in Dorset, England. Swasey arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony between 1620 and 1640 aboard the Recovery during the Puritan migration to New England. He married Katherine Kinge from Essex and together they had seven children. Their grandson, Samuel, a judge, was among the first in the family to use the "Swayze" spelling. Patrick Swayze's uncle, Bruce Swayze, was a professional wrestler.

Until the age of 20, Swayze resided in the Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston. He attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School, Black Middle School, Waltrip High School, and San Jacinto College Central. During his formative years, he cultivated a diverse range of artistic and athletic talents. He pursued skills such as ice skating, classical ballet, and acted in school plays. He also played football in high school, with aspirations of earning a college football scholarship, but a knee injury ultimately ended his athletic career. His low Vietnam draft lottery number of 141, called in 1970, meant he should have been drafted, but his knee injury may have provided a way to avoid service. Concurrently, he practiced martial arts, including Wushu, Taekwondo, and Aikido, which he reportedly used to channel his "self-deprecating rage." In 1972, he moved to New York City to further his formal dance training at the prestigious Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet schools. American choreographer Eliot Feld had plans to create a ballet for Swayze and Mikhail Baryshnikov, but this was prevented by Swayze's subsequent knee reconstruction.

3. Career

Patrick Swayze's career spanned various mediums, from his early beginnings as a dancer to becoming a celebrated film, television, and theatre actor, and a notable musician.

4. Personal life

Patrick Swayze was married to Lisa Niemi for 34 years, from June 12, 1975, until his death. The couple did not have children, though Lisa experienced one miscarriage. They first met in 1970 when Swayze was 18 years old and Niemi was 14, taking dance lessons from Swayze's mother. Their relationship was characterized by privacy and a shared passion for dance and horses. They owned a ranch in the San Gabriel Mountains in California and also had properties in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Swayze was open about his spiritual and philosophical explorations. In a 1989 interview, he stated that he had "always felt there was something different" in his personality that he was scared to explore. This led him to delve into Soka Gakkai Buddhism, and earlier in life, he had participated in EST training, therapy, and transcendental meditation. He expressed that he was trying to support that side of himself, acknowledging that such pursuits received little support in Texas. He eventually found what he was seeking in the Soka Gakkai tradition of Buddhist practice and emphasized his respect for diverse belief systems and faiths.

He publicly discussed his 10-year struggle with alcoholism, which began after his father's death. After entering rehabilitation in the 1990s and achieving recovery, Swayze temporarily stepped away from show business. During this period, he spent time on his ranches, dedicating himself to breeding Arabian horses. His best-known horse was Tammen, a chestnut Arabian stallion.

Swayze was also an FAA-licensed pilot with an instrument rating. On June 1, 2000, while flying his twin-engined Cessna 414 (registration N414PS) with his dogs from Van Nuys, California, to Las Vegas, New Mexico, his plane developed a pressurization problem. This prompted Swayze to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road within a housing complex in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Although the plane's right wing struck a light pole, Swayze was unharmed. Initial police reports cited witnesses claiming Swayze appeared extremely intoxicated and asked for help removing items like an open bottle of wine and a 30-pack of beer from the crash site. He made himself unavailable to police for several hours. However, a subsequent investigation determined that the alcohol was stored in external compartments inaccessible during flight. The probable cause of the accident was attributed to Swayze's physical impairment due to the cumulative effects of carbon monoxide from engine exhaust byproducts, carbon monoxide from heavy tobacco use, and a loss of cabin pressurization, resulting in hypoxia.

On December 27, 2006, Swayze and Niemi, who was also a licensed pilot, experienced a second aviation incident in the same Cessna 414 while en route to their New Mexico ranch. During the climb from their origin airport, they encountered a loss of power followed by a total failure of their right engine. Niemi, who was in the pilot's seat, successfully landed the plane back in Van Nuys. Following these two incidents, the couple decided to sell the Cessna. In June 2007, they purchased a Beechcraft Super King Air (N400KW) through their company, Prop Jocks Inc.

5. Illness and death

In late December 2007, shortly after filming the pilot episode for his television series The Beast, Patrick Swayze began experiencing a burning sensation in his stomach, which was later attributed to a blockage in his bile ducts. Three weeks later, in mid-January 2008, he received a diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer. He sought treatment at the Stanford University Medical Center, undergoing chemotherapy and receiving the experimental drug vatalanib, which doctors hoped would inhibit blood supply to the tumor.

On March 5, 2008, a Reuters article reported that Swayze had "a very limited amount of disease, and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far." Swayze's doctor confirmed the diagnosis but insisted that the actor was not as close to death as some reports suggested. Despite persistent tabloid claims of his imminent demise, Swayze remained determined and continued to actively pursue his acting career. In early May 2008, various tabloids claimed he underwent stomach surgery for spreading cancer and had rewritten his will to transfer property to his wife. Swayze, however, issued a statement on May 28, confirming his continued positive response to treatment at Stanford. Later that month, he made his first public appearance since his diagnosis at a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game. By June 2008, he was reportedly stating, "My treatments are working and I am winning the battle," and even described himself as "a miracle."

In September 2008, Swayze appeared on the ABC, NBC, and CBS simulcast of Stand Up to Cancer to advocate for public donations to cancer research. To a standing ovation, Swayze declared, "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." Following the broadcast, he remained on stage to converse with other cancer patients. Executive producer Laura Ziskin, who herself was battling advanced breast cancer, remarked, "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." On December 2, 2008, Swayze publicly denied tabloid claims that his cancer had spread to his liver.

During an interview with Barbara Walters that aired in January 2009, Swayze acknowledged having "a tiny little mass" in his liver but expressed his desire for the media to report that he was "kicking it." When asked if he was employing any holistic or alternative methods of treatment alongside chemotherapy, Swayze stated he was using some Chinese herbs, but also voiced his opposition to unsubstantiated claims made by proponents of unproven alternative therapies.

On January 9, 2009, Swayze was hospitalized with pneumonia, a known complication of chemotherapy for his cancer. He was released on January 16 to recover at home with his wife. However, on April 19, 2009, doctors informed him that the cancer had again metastasized to his liver. Swayze had been a smoker for 40 years, once mentioning smoking 60 cigarettes a day. He conceded that his chain smoking likely "had something to do with" the development of his disease, and continued to smoke cigarettes even while undergoing cancer treatment.

Patrick Swayze died on September 14, 2009, at the age of 57, with his family by his side. His death occurred 20 months after his initial cancer diagnosis. His publicist confirmed that he had succumbed to pancreatic cancer. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered over his New Mexico ranch. A memorial stone for Swayze was dedicated in November 2009 at the Mountain Lake Hotel in Virginia, where Dirty Dancing was filmed.

6. Legacy and impact

Patrick Swayze left an indelible mark on Hollywood and popular culture, remembered for his versatile acting, charismatic screen presence, and iconic roles.

His contributions to the film industry were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997, specifically for his work in Motion Pictures, located at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard. In 1991, People magazine honored him by naming him "Sexiest Man Alive", solidifying his image as a cultural heartthrob and sex symbol.

Swayze's most famous roles continue to resonate culturally. Dirty Dancing transformed him into a superstar and became a global phenomenon, celebrated for its dance sequences and coming-of-age story. His role as Sam Wheat in Ghost showcased his dramatic depth and contributed to one of the most romantic and enduring scenes in cinematic history. Films like Road House, Point Break, and his unconventional performance in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar further diversified his legacy and demonstrated his willingness to take on varied characters. His role in Donnie Darko also garnered a significant cult following, showcasing his ability to embrace darker, more complex parts.

Swayze's overall influence extends beyond his specific roles; he was regarded as an iconic figure whose work spanned action, romance, and dance, making him a unique and enduring presence in popular entertainment.

7. Awards and nominations

Patrick Swayze received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career for his work in film and television.

8. Filmography

9. Discography