Patrick Swayze
Born August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas, USA
Died September 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California, (pancreatic cancer)
Birth Name Patrick Wayne Swayze
Nickname Buddy
Height 5' 11" (1.8 m)
Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas, to Patsy Swayze (née Yvonne Helen Karnes), a choreographer, and Jesse Wayne Swayze, a chemical plant engineer draftsman. His mother owned a dance school in Houston, where Patrick was also a student. His father passed away in 1982. He graduated from Waltrip High School in Houston, and attended San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. He married actress/dancer Lisa Niemi on June 12, 1975, whom he had known when she was 15 and a student at his mother's dance school. His New York City dance training included the Harkness Ballet School and Joffrey Ballet School. He first danced professionally as "Prince Charming" in "Disney on Parade". After a stint as "Danny Zuko" in the original Broadway production of "Grease", he made his film debut with a small role in Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979). He made his television debut in 1981 on M*A*S*H (1972), as a soldier diagnosed with leukemia.
After many supporting roles in films and a lead role in the TV mini-series North and South (1985), he landed his breakthrough role as dance instructor "Johnny Castle" in the hit film Dirty Dancing (1987), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. He received a second nomination for his portrayal of "Sam Wheat" in the blockbuster Ghost (1990). Ghost (1990) was the highest-grossing film of 1990, and at one point, the fourth highest-grossing film of all time. Unfortunately, he did not capitalize on its success. His subsequent films like City of Joy (1992), Tall Tale (1995), Black Dog (1998), and Waking Up in Reno (2002) did not fare well with critics or audiences. In December 2003, he returned to Broadway as a replacement for the lead role of "Billy Flynn" in the acclaimed revival of John Kander & Fred Ebb's musical, "Chicago". The production also went on tour in several cities of the United States, including Los Angeles. In January 2008, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He fought the illness for well over a year and was able to continue working, but died on September 14, 2009.
Spouse
Lisa Niemi (12 June 1975 - 14 September 2009) (his death)
Trade Mark
His half salute
Chiseled features
Deep voice
He owned a five-acre spread called Rancho Bizarro outside of Los Angeles.
Older brother of Don Swayze.
Recovering alcoholic.
At age 19, he met his wife Lisa Niemi, then 15 years old, who attended dance lessons with his mother, Patsy Swayze.
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1991]
Began his career as a dancer appearing in Disneyland's parades as Prince Charming from Cinderella (1950). One of the many Cinderellas he danced with was Michelle Pfeiffer. Son of choreographer Patsy Swayze
He was flying solo in his twin-engine Cessna from California to Las Vegas when he developed a mechanical problem and decided to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road near a housing complex in the small community of Prescott Valley in northern Arizona. There were no injuries. Fire department and sheriff's department officials said the plane had a damaged wing and that when they arrived on the scene, they could find no one. It later emerged that Patrick had hitched a ride from a passing vehicle and was taken to a nearby house, where he telephoned authorities. [2000]
He had English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry.
Patrick's father, Jesse Wayne Swayze, was a chemical plant-engineer in Houston, Texas. Besides sharing the middle name "Wayne," Jesse and Patrick both died at the same age (57 years): Jesse suffered a fatal heart attack in 1982; Patrick's life was taken by cancer in 2009.
Studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.
Was reportedly offered $6,000,000 to reprise his role of Johnny Castle in a sequel to Dirty Dancing (1987) but turned it down.
Attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School and Black Middle School in Houston, Texas.
Graduated from S.P. Waltrip High School in Houston, Texas in 1971. Other graduates from this high school include Shelley Duvall and wrestler Mark Calaway (aka The Undertaker).
Called 'King of the Sleepers" for a brief period, after the unexpected success of Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990).
Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008 after falling ill in the previous month. In high school, excelled at football and gymnastics and won an athletic scholarship to college.
Is a distant cousin of actor William Holden. Amadeus (1984) actor Tom Hulce is another, more distant cousin.
Was considered for the role of Howard Saint in The Punisher (2004).
In an interview with Barbara Walters in January 2009, Swayze acknowledged that his history as a recovering alcoholic and heavy cigarette smoker may have contributed to his illness. Hospitalized with pneumonia in January 2009.
Originally cast in Kurt Russell's role in Tango & Cash (1989), but pulled out to make Road House (1989).
While visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1995, he stayed at the world-famous Copacabana Palace Hotel.
Hospitalized for a week with internal bleeding in August 2009.
Publicist is Annett Wolf.
After graduating high school, he studied gymnastics at San Jacinto College for two years.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California in 1999.
Went to New York to train as a dancer at Harkness Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet School.
Starting in the early 1990s (shortly after the box-office success of his movie Ghost (1990)), hip-hop lyrics often included his name or the phrase "I'm Swayze" as a reference to or replacement for the earlier slang, "I'm ghost", meaning "I'm leaving/out of here/gone, etc." The 'Notorious B.I.G.' was one artist who was especially fond of including this phrase in his songs. Swayze's appearance in the video for Ja Rule's "Murder Reigns" was also a reference to his interesting place in hip-hop culture.
He broke both legs after falling from a horse while filming Letters from a Killer (1998).
Uncle of Danielle Swayze.
Ex-brother-in-law of Marcia Swayze.
Appeared in Toto's video "Rosanna", as a dancer in a red letterman's jacket, alongside his Dirty Dancing (1987) co-star, Cynthia Rhodes.
People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.
His sister, Vicky Swayze, committed suicide in 1994.
Both he and his Road House costar Ben Gazzara died from pancreatic cancer. Swayze in 2009, and Gazzara in 2012.
Reveals that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January and is receiving treatment, but is continuing to work on projects. [March 2008]
Continuing cancer treatment. Told the press, "I am continuing treatment at Stanford [University Medical Center near San Francisco] and the great news is I continue to respond well." Was photographed in public with his wife at a basketball game, watching the Los Angeles Lakers play the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles. [May 2008]
Release of his memoir, "The Time of My Life" by Patrick with Lisa Niemi. [September 2009]
Dancing instructor in the "prequel" Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004). [February 2004]
Release of the book, "Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance", by Wendy Leigh. [2009]
Planning to write his memoir, with his wife, Lisa Niemi, with a release date in the Autumn. [February 2009]
Appeared as a dancer in Toto's music video, "Rosanna", in 1982.
Did one of the most memorable SNL sketches, with Chris Farley, where they both posed as Chippendale dancers.
Smoked 60 cigarettes a day.
Personal Quotes Good-looking people turn me off. Myself included.
I believe in a higher power.
But I'll tell you one thing. I will talk so hard core against, against smoking for kids. That's one reason I've never smoked in front of children.
Amanda S. Stevenson 
