Patrick Swayze

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PatSwayBio Last Updated: 7/8/24
Real Name: Patrick Wayne Swayze
Born: August 18, 1952
Died: September 14, 2009 (aged 57)
Height: 5' 9"

Grade: C+
Actor/Movie Star: 0%-100%
Prime Years: 1983-87 and 1989-93
Most Famous Film: Dirty Dancing (1987)
Most Infamous Film: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
Masterpiece: North and South Duology (1985) and Point Break (1991)
Outstanding: Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990)
Honorable: Road House (1989) and Father Hood (1993)

Opinion: Patrick Swayze was an unusual actor for several reasons. One, he didn't have the conventional look befitting a major star. Two, he could let down his guard and be bland, thus killing a lot of films. Three, when he showed off power in a sensitive way, the movie simply took off, becoming a sleeper hit in the process. That's exactly what happened to Dirty Dancing, Road House, and Ghost. Along with his emotional vulnerability, Patrick Swayze's Southern everyman look helped the most, making himself more real than many actors could possibly project.

By far, Point Break was the greatest achievement of Patrick Swayze's career, acting-wise, because he ceased to play himself. Unfortunately, it's his last great performance. Afterwards, Patrick Swayze was never the same again, having made himself very ordinary on screen. The most impressive acting job he had ever done was North and South Duology when he showed a wide range of his talents which enabled him to break through prior to being cast in Dirty Dancing.

Confirmed: A preemie who survived a difficult labor. Was born and raised in Houston, Texas. His paternal ancestors could be traced to a man by the name of John Swasey who moved from England to Salem, Massachusetts, during the 17th century. Patrick Swayze's grandfather was a foreman on the biggest horse ranch in Texas, and his father was a state champion cowboy rider, thus making Patrick a natural with horses. Mother was a gifted dancer and became a preeminent dance teacher and choreographer. He had a brother named Don who would become an actor, and they even looked alike. His family adopted a Korean girl who was left abandoned in a park.

Right from the beginning, learned how to dance and appeared in show productions and spent most of the time in classes and rehearsals at his mother's studio. Grew up like a gentleman with Southern manners and tended to address men with "sir." Had a tough, uncompromising mother who demanded the best from him in everything which shaped his competitive streak and discipline. Hence, would be too hard on himself, always reaching, no matter the cost. Nicknamed either "Little Buddy" or "Buddy" because his father was "Big Buddy."

Was bullied many times during childhood because of his sissy passions such as dance, ballet, and so on. Learned different forms of karate in middle school. Was never into academics, so devoted his time on many sports such as football, gymnastics, diving, track and field, and wrestling. As a result, became very muscular which borne another nickname: "The Body." Suffered a serious left knee injury in a football game during his senior year which led to a total reconstruction, hence his lifelong problem with it.

Auditioned in Austin, Texas, and eventually won a place in Disney on Parade company that toured around the country during 1972. It was very gruelling work because they performed shows 14 times a week all year long while living on a shoestring budget which taxed their bodies and forced them to drop out like flies. Started chain smoking but could never kick the habit. Afterwards, did some work for Buffalo Ballet Company and then won a scholarship to study at the Harkness Ballet Company in Manhattan with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer.

Constantly practiced self-motivation talk daily. Got involved with numerous self-help therapies such as EST, TM, Scientology, etc., but ultimately settled on Buddhism. Was into crystals that warded off bad spirits. Met his future wife, Lisa Niemi, in 1972 and got married in 1975, and they remained together until his death. Stayed completely faithful to her throughout their marriage. While working for Joffrey Ballet, did various odd jobs including running a small carpentry business to make extra money. At one point, after posing in underwear for a card company, his photos ended up in a gay magazine, but regardless of the rumors or his dance background for that matter, Patrick Swayze had never been gay.

In 1975, suffered a serious staph infection that spread to his left knee and was warned by his doctor that his left leg would have to be amputated if it didn't get better within a week. Although he recovered from the incident, his career as a ballet dancer was over for good. Prior to it, he had done various shows, having once worked with Joel Grey who's the father of his future co-star in Dirty Dancing: Jennifer Grey. Replaced John Travolta in the Broadway show of Grease and then spent his earnings on acting classes at Warren Robertson's Theater Workshop. Afterwards, he and his wife moved to Los Angeles in the hopes of becoming stars.

Did his first movie called Skatetown U.S.A. in 1979. However, things were slow going, so he and his wife formally set up a construction business. By 1983, starred in the biggest movie of his career called The Outsiders with future megastars: Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, and so on. Prior to that, his father died of a heart attack, and this was the point that Patrick Swayze's drinking started to escalate along with his temper, resulting in self-destruction.

Often did his own stunts and was injured many times but continued on in pain, regardless. Was never comfortable doing love scenes with actresses. Had always been a rare interviewee by the fact that he's been honest and forthcoming and no questions were ever off-limits. Despite having starred in Uncommon Valor and Red Dawn, it wasn't until appearing in North and South that completely changed Patrick Swayze's career which was a risky move because it, a miniseries, was a radical departure from movies that he was trying to make his mark in. Then came along Dirty Dancing that made him a huge superstar worldwide literally overnight, yet nobody at Vestron Video, the producer of the film, ever saw it coming, wanting to burn the negative and claim insurance.

Because of falling over repeatedly during the log scene in Dirty Dancing, reinjured his left knee to the point that he was in considerable pain throughout the shooting. Actually hated his famous line of the film: "Nobody puts Baby in the corner." Said the film was a very frustrating experience because he was a much better dancer in real life but had to restrain himself from being too technically proficient. Even his mother wasn't impressed with his dancing. No matter what, Patrick Swayze's life was never the same again, and he was constantly mobbed by thousands of women wherever he went. This went on for years which caused him so much distress that he drank more than ever while becoming addicted to cocaine, speed, and downers, among others. As a result, he would be physically violent inside hotel rooms, busting everything in sight.

Was never considered for the role of Sam Wheat for Ghost, so he had to overcome long odds by auditioning for the part. Once he won over the decision-makers, Patrick Swayze refused to do the film unless Whoopi Goldberg was cast as Oda Mae Brown. Hence, she won the Oscar. Had suffered several near-fatal accidents during filming, especially Letters from a Killer. Crashed his own private jet while impaired in 2000 and tried to cover it up but to no avail. No charges were filed because he waited long enough on purpose for alcohol to clear his system. Found out that he had pancreatic cancer in 2008 and died the following year.

Rumors: None.