Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, to Jesse and Patsy Swayze.  His mother was a choreographer who owned a dance school where Patrick would end up taking dance lessons.  In addition, he also attended the Hoffrey Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School, both in New York city.  On June 12, 1975, he married the love of his life, actress Lisa Niemi, whom he had known since they were both teenagers.

Patrick Swayze got his start on Broadway in a production of Grease, then moving on to television, playing the character Ace Johnson in Skatetown, U.S.A., in 1979.

He had bit parts in M*A*S*H and other television shows until he struck gold in North and South and North and South, Book II.  His big break into movies was Dirty Dancing, where he played Johnny Castle, the dashingly handsome dance instructor.  He played opposite Jennifer Grey and it was here where he coined the now popular quote, “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”

Three years later Mr. Swayze played the iconic Sam Wheat in Ghost.  Sam Wheat dies and tries desperately to communicate with his fiancee Molly (played by the illustrious Demi Moore) by talking through unaware psychic Oda Mae Brown (the glorious Whoopi Goldberg).  Patrick played Sam so beautifully- you can’t help but feel his longing and love for Molly throughout the movie.

He boosted his machismo persona by playing Dalton in Road House and Bodhi in Point Break . His persona was so strong and masculine that these movies have remained staples in men’s macho movie lineups and I doubt they will leave any time soon.

It was this macho persona that almost kept him from (in my opinion) one of the most fun roles he ever played, Vida Boheme in To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar.  Vida is a crowned Ms. Drag Queen NY in a tie alongside Noxeema Jackson (played by Wesley Snipes).  They take Chi Chi Rodriquez (John Leguizamo) under their wing as the drive cross country to compete in the Ms. Drag Queen USA pageant.  Hilarity ensues as they get stuck in the middle of nowhere and have a great influence on the locals, getting everyone to come out of their shells and give up their prejudices.  Patrick Swayzewas brilliant in the role, playing a drag queen with such grace and elegance only he possessed.

Patrick had such a great sense of humor- he was a frequent guest on Saturday Night Live.  In one particularly memorable skit, he auditioned to be a Chippendale’s dancer along the hilarious (and missed) Chris Farley.  He had no problems laughing at himself and his smile brought light to our hearts.

In January of 2008 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  At the time, doctors said his prognosis was good as he had a limited amount of the cancer, but pancreatic cancer has a survival rate of 5%.  Patrick was realistic about his cancer.  In an interview with Barbara Walters he said, “I’d say five years is pretty wishful thinking.  Two years seems likely if you’re going to believe statistics.  I want to last until they find a cure, which means I’d better get a fire under it.”  He almost lasted those 2 years.

Patrick Swayze passed away on Monday, Septmber 14th, 2009, after an epic battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was 57. Patrick Swayze is survived by his first and only wife, Lisa Niemi.  He will be greatly missed.