Patrick Swayze dies of cancer aged 57
Patrick Swayze was a heartthrob for millions after his roles in Ghost and Dirty Dancing brought him to the silver screen. His good looks and simmering performances endeared him to all, but he unfortunately died on Monday aged just 57.
His publicist informed fans and media alike that he died of pancreatic cancer after an almost two year battle.
Swayze’s physician, Dr George Fisher confirmed in March 2008 that the movie star had the disease. He released a statement Monday after the event.
“Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today, surrounded by family and friends.”
Swayze will always be remembered for his starring role as snake-hipped Johnny Castle in the 1987 blockbuster Dirty Dancing. The role that confirmed his place as the romantic lead of the nineties.
He was a trained dancer, who could also act, but wasn’t the first choice for the role. His performance went on to earn him award nominations and a place in the hearts, and bedroom walls of millions of girls around the world.
Despite his fame, the 57 year old actor avoided publicity where he could and preferred to live the quiet life on his ranch in California with his wife of 34 years Lisa. This attitude was displayed both at work and at home,
He once said: “It’s the cult movies that gave me a career for the last 30 years. It wouldn’t have been worth it if I had been stuck as the leading man or the dance guy.”
He was born Patrick Wayne Swayze in Houston Texas in 1952. Son of a choreographer and engineer. He was a natural at sports and actively participated in ice skating, acting as well as ballet. He went on to study gymnastics, then moved to the Harkness and Joffrey ballet school in New York in 1972.
His first professional dancing job was with Disney, where he played Prince Charming in Disney on Parade before going on to feature in the Broadway version of Grease.
His first movie role was as Ace Johnson in a roller skating movie called Skatetown USA in 1979. His rise to fame began when he secured a role in The Outsiders with Rob Lowe in 1983. This movie saw the birth of the brat pack, and also starred Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez and Matt Dillon.
Swayze then hit our TV screens in the excellent North and South which received critical acclaim, and went on to be one of the most successful TV mini-series of all time.
It wasn’t until 1987 that his career was well and truly launched as he arrived on our screens as the dance instructor Johnny Castle. This low budget movie was only envisaged for a short cinema run but became a global phenomenon that took everyone by surprise. He received a Golden Globe nomination and a number 3 single on the US Billboard Chart for the song “She’s Like The Wind” which he sang and featured in the movie.
Swayze will be sadly missed by family, friends and fans alike.
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