Patrick Swayze Dead at 57

by Mary Richard | September 14, 2009 at 04:28 pm

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Patrick Swayze, the American actor/dancer who danced his way into our hearts, has today lost his almost two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

He died in his home with his family and loved ones beside him.

"Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," said a statement released Monday evening by his publicist, Annett Wolf. No other details were given.

Swayze was most known for his movies Dirty Dancing, Ghost and Roadhouse. He also played Orry Main in the North and South TV miniseries. He more recently starred in The Beast, an A&E Drama series.

Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on Aug. 18, 1952, in Houston, the son of Jesse Wayne Swayze, an engineer and rodeo cowboy, and Patsy Swayze, a dance instructor and choreographer. He began dancing as a child and was often teased about it.

Swayze seemed set on a dance career: He studied with the prestigious Joffrey Ballet and joined another company, the Eliot Feld Ballet Company. But surgery for an old football injury ended his ballet career and he turned to acting.

His almost 40 years of great work lives on for us all to enjoy for many years to come.

R.I.P Patrick Swayze.

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Rhonda J Mangus

at 16:49 on September 14th, 2009

He put up a 'good fight'. Thanks for this, Blue Crush!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 17:05 on September 14th, 2009

Hea had a long hard struggle. Good post.

Jon Azpiri

at 17:15 on September 14th, 2009

You can check out online reaction to Patrick Swayze's death via NowPublic's Patrick Swayze scan.

Amy Judd

at 17:17 on September 14th, 2009

Very sad...

master_jim2008

at 18:11 on September 14th, 2009

A tragic loss indeed

Rory Cripps

at 18:24 on September 14th, 2009

ROADHOUSE! YES! GHOSTS? YES! DIRTY DANCING! YES!

All of the above movies . . . I think that I've watched every one of them at least 50 times! "Roadhouse" and "Dirty Dancing" probably more because they're so American and so in tune with America's heartland and America's pulse! A great actor and superb entertainer that will never be forgotten!

Mary Richard

at 20:11 on September 14th, 2009

Ditto ...

batvette

at 08:32 on September 20th, 2009

Roadhouse SO ROCKS.

I saw it in the theatres when it came out, that was the first time I can remember the crowd stayed seated for the entire outro credits! (due to Jeff Healey's outstanding soundtrack song, a remake of Bob Dylan's "when the night comes falling from the sky")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_rgvFZlQoI

Barry ORegan

at 18:42 on September 14th, 2009

Such a tragedy for such a talent

Scott Wu

at 18:50 on September 14th, 2009

I was just looking up for his information today.. still remember watching The Beast over the summer.

Yuliya Talmazan

at 18:53 on September 14th, 2009

sad news for sure

Grace H

at 20:22 on September 14th, 2009

Events such as this are both saddening and grounding. They remind us to see the intrinsic beauty in all of life. They remind us to enjoy the good things in life while we have them because you never know when they will be taken away.

Swayze led a good life. He has made some classic movies that will prove his enduring legacy. And yet at the same time due to the nature of his character he trandscends all of it. He matched his talent level with consumate professionalism and dedication to standards of integrity. Something many young actors and actresses, as well as entertainers in general, could do to take a cue from.

J2B (not verified)

at 21:49 on September 14th, 2009

a brave fight against his cancer, and according to the media which at times hounded him, he died many many times! The media needs to give suffering people space and not add to the stress of having a terminal illness.