Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze Quick Links

News Pictures Film Comments Quotes RSS

Biography

Patrick Swayze (born 18.8.1952) (died 14.9.2009)
Patrick Swayze is an American actor. His most famous film appearances are the lead roles that he played in Dirty Dancing and Ghost.

Childhood: Patrick Swayze was born and raised in Houston, Texas. His father Jessie, was an engineering drafter. His mother Patsy was a choreographer and dance instructor.

Swayze attended the St Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School, Black Middle School and Waltrip High School. Swayze took part in a number of school plays and also studied gymnastics for two years. He later toured as Prince Charming in the Disney on Ice show. He moved to New York in 1972, where he studied at the Harkness Ballet School and Joffrey Ballet School.

Performing Career: Swayze's Broadway debut was as Danny Zuko in the stage version of Grease. This was followed by his film debut as Ace in the film Skatetown U.S.A. in 1979. Swayze then appeared in a number of successful films such as The Outsiders (1983), Red Dawn (1984), and Youngblood (1986). Swayze's television appearances around this time include a role in an episode of M*A*S*H and the American Civil War drama, North and South, which was Swayze's first breakthrough success.

The film Dirty Dancing, released in 1987 was the venture that really propelled Patrick Swayze to super-stardom. His dance skills came in handy for the film, in which he starred alongside Jennifer Grey. The film was originally intended for a short-term cinema release but became a surprise success. To date, the film has earned over $300 million and was the first ever feature film to sell a million video copies. The film earned Patrick Swayze his first Golden Globe nomination. The song 'She's Like The Wind', from the soundtrack, was sung by Swayze and became a Top 10 hit.

Three years later, Swayze found himself starring in another international hit when he starred in Ghost alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. The next year, he joined up with his co-star in Youngblood, Keanu Reeves in Point Break, a big-budget action film.

In 1996, Swayze broke both his legs and detached four tendons in his shoulder whilst filming Letters from a Killer. The accident happened when he fell from a horse and hit a tree. Although the filming was eventually completed, Swayze struggled to fully resume his acting career until 2000. That year, he starred alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Charlize Theron in the film Waking Up in Reno. He also co-starred with Melanie Griffith in Forever Lulu.

The successful indie film, Donnie Darko (2001), featured Patrick Swayze, as well as Drew Barrymore and Jake Gyllenhaal. A few years' later in 2004, Swayze had a cameo role as a dance instructor in the Dirty Dancing sequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.

His London stage debut came in 2006 when he appeared in Guys and Dolls between July and November. The next year, Swayze returned to the movie world, appearing in the film Christmas in Wonderland and filmed Powder Blue, in which he plays an ageing rock star. His brother, Don Swayze also appears in the film. It was the brothers' first film appearance together.

Personal Life: Patrick Swayze married Lisa Niemi in 1975. The couple remain married.

Swayze lost his father in 1982 and 12 years later, his sister Vicky also passed away. The incidents caused him to start drinking heavily and following his sister's death he sought treatment for alcoholism. Following his recovery, he ceased his acting work and retreated to his ranches in New Mexico and California, where he breeds horses. However, in June 2000, Swayze suffered a minor crash in his small aircraft. Before calling the police, he asked a member of the public to help him to remove an open bottle of wine and several cans of beer from the aircraft. Witnesses claimed that Swayze appeared to be intoxicated. It was later claimed that the alcohol was in a storage compartment and that the intoxicated state was due to the hypoxia caused by the swift descent.

In January 2008, Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. He has been undergoing chemotherapy at the Stanford University Medical Research Center. It has been reported that Swayze continued to smoke cigarettes, even after his diagnosis of cancer. Swayze continued to act in TV and Film roles whilst suffering with illness.

On September 14th 2009 Patrick Swayze lost his battle with cancer. On the same day TV Chef Keith Floyd died of a heart attack.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Patrick Swayze's Famous Leather Jacket Has Just Sold For Over $60,000


Patrick Swayze

How much would you pay for Patrick Swayze's suave 'Dirty Dancing' outfit? One collector of Hollywood memorabilia forked out a massive $62,500 for the privilege of owning the leather jacket he wore on the set of the 1987 film at a recent auction in Los Angeles.

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi photographed together at Planet HollywoodPatrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi photographed together at Planet Hollywood

The jacket, along with various other noteworthy pieces like his 'Point Break' surfboard and his 'Ghost' silk shirt, all got snapped up at auction held by Julien's Auctions as approved by his 60-year-old widow, despite the fact that she had 'a lot of mixed feelings' about relinquishing these special objects.

Continue reading: Patrick Swayze's Famous Leather Jacket Has Just Sold For Over $60,000

Jennifer Grey's Reveals Dirty Dancing Disasters


Jennifer Grey Patrick Swayze

Jennifer Grey's had difficulty spinning around in the dance finale of 'Dirty Dancing'.

The 56-year-old actress, who played the role of Baby in the popular 1987 movie alongside the late Patrick Swayze, has revealed there were a number of calamities whilst filming the production, and has admitted the stage had been painted and her feet kept getting stuck in the product when she took to the fore to perform the iconic routine.

Speaking to Marie Claire Online about the romantic comedy, she said: ''I remember doing the big dance finale and they had just painted the stage and it was sticky. The paint would stick to my feet so I couldn't turn.''

Continue reading: Jennifer Grey's Reveals Dirty Dancing Disasters

Bindi Irwin And Derek Hough To Pay Homage To 'Dirty Dancing' With 'DWTS' Routine


Bindi Irwin Derek Hough Jennifer Grey Patrick Swayze Dancing With The Stars Dirty Dancing

Bindi Irwin and her ‘Dancing With The Stars’ pro partner Derek Hough are set to pay tribute to classic 80’s movie, Dirty Dancing on Monday’s edition of the ABC show. The pair have been practising hard for the upcoming routine, even taking to the water to really get the feel of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey's characters.

Continue reading: Bindi Irwin And Derek Hough To Pay Homage To 'Dirty Dancing' With 'DWTS' Routine

Ronda Rousey To Star In Re-Make Of '80s Classic Movie 'Road House'


Ronda Rousey Patrick Swayze

Who out there remembers the ‘80s cult classic movie Road House? Well, it’s just become the latest cultural artefact to get a modern makeover at the cinema, but this time it’s with a twist – UFC bantamweight champion fighter Ronda Rousey has been cast in the lead role, as Patrick Swayze’s character from the original.

That’s right – that stereotypical depiction of ‘80s masculinity is getting a female re-boot, according to the initial report by Variety. The 1989 original saw Swayze’s James Dalton being hired to restore order to a boisterous roadside dive bar in Missouri, a role we can see Rousey’s no-holds-barred approach being totally suitable for.

Ronda RouseyRonda Rousey will be taking the lead role in the re-make of 'Road House'

Continue reading: Ronda Rousey To Star In Re-Make Of '80s Classic Movie 'Road House'

'Point Break' Remake: What We Know So Far


Luke Bracey Ray Winstone Edgar Ramirez Patrick Swayze Keanu Reeves

So, it looks like the Point Break remake is set for release in August 2015. Directed by Ericson Core, whose only other big directing job was 2006’s Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg, the new script has been written by Total Recall remake co-writer Kurt Wimmer.  There's a whole lot of action movie experience going on there, which is a promising start.  Core was also the director of photography for The Fast and the Furious way back in 2001, so we've got faith his visuals will be pretty impressive - that's for sure.

Luke Bracey Point Break remake Luke Bracey has been cast as Johnny Utah in Point Break, a role originally played by Keanu Reeves

The 2015 remake is pegged to be an unofficial reboot of The Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow’s 1991 film of the same name, which starred Keanu Reeves as an ex-quarterback-turned-FBI-agent and Patrick Swayze as a system fighting surfer.  After it's suspected that a gang of bank robbers, nicknamed 'The Ex-Presidents,' are potentially a group of surfers, Agent Utah is sent in to infiltrate their group.

Continue reading: 'Point Break' Remake: What We Know So Far

Patrick Swayze's Widow Lisa Niemi Engaged After Four Years


Patrick Swayze Lisa Niemi

Lisa Niemi, who became a widow after Patrick Swayze’s 2009 death from pancreatic cancer, has found love again. People reports that Niemi (57) is engaged to 58-year-old jeweler Albert DePrisco. DePrisco reportedly popped the question to his actress/dancer ladylove on Christmas Eve, following a year and a half of dating. The couple reportedly met through a mutual friend at Niemi’s birthday party. A representative for Niemi confirmed the happy news to People.

Lisa Niemi, Ghost: The Musical Opening Night
57-year-old Niemi is an actress in her own right.

Lisa had been married to Swayze for 34 years before the actor died in 2009. In 2010, she told People that moving on would be difficult, but that she was open to re-marrying at some point in the future. Back then, the widow said: “I would love companionship love. Absolutely. I hope I'm not one of these women who never want to have another relationship. But who knows, that's another bridge I'll cross when I come to it. I may get there and go, I don't know. But I like to think that I can.”

Continue reading: Patrick Swayze's Widow Lisa Niemi Engaged After Four Years

Patsy Swayze, Choreographer And Mother Of Patrick, Dies At Age 86


Patrick Swayze

Patsy Swayze, the mother of late actor Patrick Sayze, has died at the old age of 86. Patsy, who was a choreographer and dance instructor (apparently the talent got passed on), died Monday night at her home in Simi Valley. Publicist Annett Wolf released a statement with the tragic news to CBS. The exact cause of death was not announced, however according to the Houston Chronicle, Swayze suffered a stroke on September 8. This has been linked as the probable cause.

Swayze, born in 1927, managed to build a career spanning decades and taught some of the most renowned dancers of the 20th century, including Debbie Allen and Tommy Tune. She also taught at the University of Houston for more than a decade as well as choreographing for the Houston Playhouse Center and the Houston Youth Symphony and Ballet Company.

She was the mother of five children, three boys and four girls, with Dirty Dancing's Patrick Swayze being the eldest. Younger brother Don Swayze also later went into acting.

Continue reading: Patsy Swayze, Choreographer And Mother Of Patrick, Dies At Age 86

Randy Travis' Condition "Has Stabilized" And Is Improving


Randy Travis Matt Damon Patrick Swayze

Randy Travis condition is improving according to the country singer's doctors. In a video statement made by Dr William Gray (on behalf of himself and Dr Michael Mack) said Travis' "condition has stabilized, and he has shown signs of improvement"

Randy Travis
Randy Travis arriving for Late Night With David Letterman Show in 2008. 

Travis was admitted to a Texas hospital earlier this week. According to NY Daily News, the singer was well until he contracted a viral upper respiratory infection three weeks ago. His condition escalated and caused, what TMZ believe to be, presumptive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Travis' doctors believe the infection weakened the heart muscles which led to his heart failure. 

Continue reading: Randy Travis' Condition "Has Stabilized" And Is Improving

'Point Break' Remake Seats Ericson Core In Director's Chair


Kathryn Bigelow Keanu Reeves Patrick Swayze

The remake of Kathryn Bigelow’s classic movie Point Break has now got a director on board. According to Empire Online, Alcon Entertainment, who have been developing this one for some years now, have announced that they have Ericson Core on board to direct. Not only does Ericson Core have a superb name, for an action movie director, but he’s got pretty good form too. Rest assured, folks, he wasn’t selected on the basis of his name alone (we can’t actually verify that, we’re just assuming that he wasn’t).

It’s long been known that Kurt Wimmer has written the screenplay for the remake but now they have the man behind The Fast and the Furious, Daredevil and Payback (as cinematographer) on board. He’s also directed episodes of Family Law as well as the Mark Wahlberg-starring Invincible. According to IMDB, Core is currently attached to a project named Fair Trade, though no cast have actually been allocated to that one just yet, the site suggests. It’s likely that Point Break could well become the next project for Core, if Fair Trade isn’t going to fly.

The original Point Break, of course, starred Keanu Reeves as an FBI agent trying to infiltrate Patrick Swayze’s gang of adrenaline-hungry bank robbers. According to Empire, the remake “evolved” from an original plan to create a sequel. 

Continue reading: 'Point Break' Remake Seats Ericson Core In Director's Chair

How Many People Does Kirstie Alley Love? Add John Travolta To The List!


Kirstie Alley Patrick Swayze John Travolta

Kirstie Alley has spent the week telling everyone who'll listen how many actors best known for dancing movies she's been in love with. She started with Patrick Swayze - the late Dirty Dancing star - and has moved on to John Travolta, the Saturday Night Fever and Grease Hollywood icon.

Alley made it clear that she never had an affair with Swayze, explaining that she didn't want to break up his marriage at the time. However, it seems Travolta has a particularly special place in her heart. She tells Barbara Walters in an upcoming 20/20 interview, "Travolta is [the] love of my life because of our evolution. From the actor I wanted to run off with to being J & Kelly's children's' Godmother." Bit weird, but anyway. In the same interview Alley put to bed rumors surrounding Travolta's sexuality, saying, "I know John with all my heart and soul.He's not gay. I think in some weird way, in Hollywood, if someone gets big enough and famous enough and they're not out doing drugs and they're not womanizing, what do you say about them? I think that people think that's the supreme insult, 'He's gay'". 

So there you have it, Kirstie Alley wanted to run off with both Patrick Swayze and John Travolta. She ended up choosing not to have an affair with the former, and became godmother to the latter's grandchildren. 

Continue reading: How Many People Does Kirstie Alley Love? Add John Travolta To The List!

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi - Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi Las Vegas, Nevada - Planet Hollywod Resort's Grand Opening - Day 2 Saturday 17th November 2007

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi
Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze Quick Links

News Pictures Film Comments Quotes RSS

Patrick Swayze

Date of birth

18th August, 1952

Date of death

14th September, 2009

Occupation

Actor

Sex

Male

Height

1.78


Advertisement
Advertisement

Patrick Swayze Movies

Green Dragon Movie Review

Green Dragon Movie Review

The Vietnam War is a time and place most people have chosen either to forget...

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Movie Review

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Movie Review

In the middle of the lousy Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Patrick Swayze makes an appearance...

Donnie Darko Movie Review

Donnie Darko Movie Review

Donnie Darko is a writer-director's debut that takes on schizophrenia, time travel, teenage angst, dysfunctional...

Artists
Actors
    Filmmakers
      Artists
      Bands
        Musicians
          Artists
          Celebrities
             
              Artists
              Interviews