Patrick Swayze Tribute
WENNBy Charlotte Duck
Patrick Swayze was born on 18 August, 1952 in Houston Texas to a dance instructor and engineering draughtsman. He studied gymnastics till he was 20, before moving to New York to formally train as a dancer at the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet Schools.
Rex FeaturesPatrick is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart Lisa Niemi. They met when she began taking dance lessons from his mother, aged 14, and married in 1975.
Rex FeaturesHere’s a Patrick we didn’t expect - as Orry Main for the TV adaptation of American Civil War drama North and South. And doesn’t he carry off the silk cravate well!
Rex FeaturesIn 1987, Patrick starred in the low-budget Dirty Dancing, intended to be shown in theatres for one weekend before going straight to DVD (sorry - video). Things didn’t really work out that way and instead the movie has spawned spin-offs and musical productions all round the world.
Rex FeaturesIt was muscles aplenty as Patrick buffed up for his role as a bouncer in the 1989 movie Road House.
Rex FeaturesThe actor cemented his status as a Hollywood star after appearing with Demi Moore in Ghost. The film became such a phenomenon in modern culture that hip hop stars adopted the phrase “I’m Swayze” to mean “I’m leaving”.
PA PhotosThe actor was voted Sexiest Man of 1991 by People magazine and in this picture we can really see why!
Rex FeaturesPatrick loved his horses and often retreated to his ranches in California and New Mexico when things got tough, including during his battle with alcoholism.
Rex FeaturesPatrick’s last acting role was as FBI Agent Charles Barker in The Beast. It was during the filming of the show that he was diagnosed with cancer.
PA PhotosPatrick Swayze died on 14 September after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Despite his prognosis, the actor remained positive even towards the end of his life, saying in a recent interview: "I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life, not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light."
PA PhotosFans and friends have already started paying their tributes to the actor. Demi Moore was inspired by the Ghost script when she wrote on Twitter: "Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives. In the words of Sam to Molly. 'It's amazing Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.' I will miss you." While Jennifer Grey remembered their time filming Dirty Dancing: "When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing, practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see."
