Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.Photo: Everett
Patrick Swayzewas born on Aug. 18, 1952, in Houston, and soon after, charmed his way into fans' hearts with his electric work in films likeGhostandDirty Dancing.Later, his pancreatic cancer diagnosis became a big part of his story — as did his decades-long marriage — and ultimately, the actor died on Sept. 14, 2009.Here, remember Swayze’s life and career in photos, on what would have been his 71st birthday.
Patrick Swayzewas born on Aug. 18, 1952, in Houston, and soon after, charmed his way into fans' hearts with his electric work in films likeGhostandDirty Dancing.
Later, his pancreatic cancer diagnosis became a big part of his story — as did his decades-long marriage — and ultimately, the actor died on Sept. 14, 2009.
Here, remember Swayze’s life and career in photos, on what would have been his 71st birthday.
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DEVOTED DUO
Denise Truscello/WireImage
02of 14’DANCING' INTO THE SPOTLIGHTEverett"Dirty Dancingjust blew the lid off my career," Swayze (with costar Jennifer Grey) told PEOPLE in 2007 about starring as hip-swiveling dance instructor Johnny Castle in the 1987 box-office smash. The iconic film – which grossed $170 million worldwide – made him a bona fide heartthrob to all ages. “I constantly have some old lady pinching me on the rear,” he said. “I turn around and see blue hair running back to a group of other blue hairs going, ‘I did it, Martha! I pinched him!’ "
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‘DANCING’ INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Everett
“Dirty Dancingjust blew the lid off my career,” Swayze (with costar Jennifer Grey) told PEOPLE in 2007 about starring as hip-swiveling dance instructor Johnny Castle in the 1987 box-office smash. The iconic film – which grossed $170 million worldwide – made him a bona fide heartthrob to all ages. “I constantly have some old lady pinching me on the rear,” he said. “I turn around and see blue hair running back to a group of other blue hairs going, ‘I did it, Martha! I pinched him!’ "
03of 14BACK IN TIMEEverettThough he’d made his feature film debut as a bad-boy gang leader in the 1979 movieSkatetown, U.S.A., it wasn’t until starring in 1983’sThe Outsidersthat Swayze made his mark in Hollywood. Starring alongside a who’s who of hot young actors – including Rob Lowe (pictured),Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio and Emilio Estevez – he formed enduring friendships in the business. “I’ve always known Patrick to be a good man, a fighter,” Cruise told PEOPLE in 2008.
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BACK IN TIME
Though he’d made his feature film debut as a bad-boy gang leader in the 1979 movieSkatetown, U.S.A., it wasn’t until starring in 1983’sThe Outsidersthat Swayze made his mark in Hollywood. Starring alongside a who’s who of hot young actors – including Rob Lowe (pictured),Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio and Emilio Estevez – he formed enduring friendships in the business. “I’ve always known Patrick to be a good man, a fighter,” Cruise told PEOPLE in 2008.
04of 14LITTLE CHARMERMichael Ochs/GettyBorn prematurely in Houston on Aug. 18, 1952, the outgoing Swayze (circa 1960) showed an early talent for performing. As the oldest of five children, he grew up a student of choreographer mom Patsy’s ballet school and the son of former champion rodeo cowboy Jesse. “I can’t recall a time in my life when I wasn’t dancing,” he once said. Even when bullies taunted him with names like “Twinkle Toes” and “Sissy,” wrote author Wendy Leigh in the 2009 biographyPatrick Swayze: One Last Dance, he refused to be intimidated – and picked up martial arts and high school football.
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LITTLE CHARMER
Michael Ochs/Getty
Born prematurely in Houston on Aug. 18, 1952, the outgoing Swayze (circa 1960) showed an early talent for performing. As the oldest of five children, he grew up a student of choreographer mom Patsy’s ballet school and the son of former champion rodeo cowboy Jesse. “I can’t recall a time in my life when I wasn’t dancing,” he once said. Even when bullies taunted him with names like “Twinkle Toes” and “Sissy,” wrote author Wendy Leigh in the 2009 biographyPatrick Swayze: One Last Dance, he refused to be intimidated – and picked up martial arts and high school football.
05of 14THE ONE THAT HE WANTEDMichael Ochs/GettyAfter moving to New York City to pursue his stage dreams, Swayze replaced John Travolta as Danny Zuko in the 1978 Broadway production ofGrease. Lisa (pictured rehearsing with him circa 1977, along with his mother Patsy) was Swayze’s biggest supporter. “It was always touching for me to see them together,” the show’s director, Tom Moore, later said of the pair, who had met at his mom’s dance studio and married in 1975. “They were the perfect couple.”
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THE ONE THAT HE WANTED
After moving to New York City to pursue his stage dreams, Swayze replaced John Travolta as Danny Zuko in the 1978 Broadway production ofGrease. Lisa (pictured rehearsing with him circa 1977, along with his mother Patsy) was Swayze’s biggest supporter. “It was always touching for me to see them together,” the show’s director, Tom Moore, later said of the pair, who had met at his mom’s dance studio and married in 1975. “They were the perfect couple.”
06of 14GEOGRAPHY LESSONRobert Phillips/EverettDrawing on his Texas charm, Swayze’s breakout role as a leading man was playing Confederate soldier Orry Main in the epic 1985 ABC miniseriesNorth and South. Starring alongside screen legends Elizabeth Taylor and Jimmy Stewart was daunting, but so was his first real love scene with costar Lesley-Anne Down (pictured). “It’s possibly the scariest thing I do,” he later told PEOPLE, “doing something so personal and giving people out there the opportunity to see if you’re a good kisser or not.”
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GEOGRAPHY LESSON
Robert Phillips/Everett
Drawing on his Texas charm, Swayze’s breakout role as a leading man was playing Confederate soldier Orry Main in the epic 1985 ABC miniseriesNorth and South. Starring alongside screen legends Elizabeth Taylor and Jimmy Stewart was daunting, but so was his first real love scene with costar Lesley-Anne Down (pictured). “It’s possibly the scariest thing I do,” he later told PEOPLE, “doing something so personal and giving people out there the opportunity to see if you’re a good kisser or not.”
07of 14’GHOST' OF A CHANCEEverett"I started realizing this could be one of those roles of a lifetime,” the actor said of the 1990 blockbuster hitGhost, about a murdered Wall Street investment banker who wants to help his girlfriend (Demi Moore) catch his killer. “I needed to do it for my soul.” The movie appealed to his spiritual side – and was often tough to make because it reminded him of his father’s sudden death from a heart attack in 1982. “He’s sensitive and has a vulnerability that’s right out there,” Moore (in the film’s famous pottery wheel scene) told PEOPLE in 1990.
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‘GHOST’ OF A CHANCE
“I started realizing this could be one of those roles of a lifetime,” the actor said of the 1990 blockbuster hitGhost, about a murdered Wall Street investment banker who wants to help his girlfriend (Demi Moore) catch his killer. “I needed to do it for my soul.” The movie appealed to his spiritual side – and was often tough to make because it reminded him of his father’s sudden death from a heart attack in 1982. “He’s sensitive and has a vulnerability that’s right out there,” Moore (in the film’s famous pottery wheel scene) told PEOPLE in 1990.
08of 14SHAKING THINGS UPEverettSwayze played it for laughs – and showed off his well-toned body – with the late Chris Farley in a skit as aspiring Chippendales dancers onSaturday Night Livein October 1990. “Once the producers saw that I was completely willing to make fun of myself and that I have no reverence about anything, then we went crazy,” he said in 2003.
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SHAKING THINGS UP
Swayze played it for laughs – and showed off his well-toned body – with the late Chris Farley in a skit as aspiring Chippendales dancers onSaturday Night Livein October 1990. “Once the producers saw that I was completely willing to make fun of myself and that I have no reverence about anything, then we went crazy,” he said in 2003.
09of 14COVER BOYThat “pedestal … is a strangely wonderful and confusing place to go,” Swayze told PEOPLE about being named Sexiest Man Alive in 1991. But there was no question of why he wore the crown. “He has a very sweet, gentle, kind heart, and those Southern manners,“Demi Mooreraved about herGhostcostar. “But he’s also got a very rugged, animalistic physique.”
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COVER BOY
That “pedestal … is a strangely wonderful and confusing place to go,” Swayze told PEOPLE about being named Sexiest Man Alive in 1991. But there was no question of why he wore the crown. “He has a very sweet, gentle, kind heart, and those Southern manners,“Demi Mooreraved about herGhostcostar. “But he’s also got a very rugged, animalistic physique.”
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BUDDY SYSTEM
Fred Prouser/Reuters/Landov
11of 14EARNING HIS STARAPIn 1997, Swayze received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Still, stardom was often overwhelming for the actor. Just four years earlier, he had checked into rehab after years of struggling with an alcohol problem. “I played with trying to deal with fame and got stupid and drank too much,” Swayze told PEOPLE in 2007. “I feel real fortunate that I’ve come out on the other end of it all.”
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EARNING HIS STAR
AP
In 1997, Swayze received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Still, stardom was often overwhelming for the actor. Just four years earlier, he had checked into rehab after years of struggling with an alcohol problem. “I played with trying to deal with fame and got stupid and drank too much,” Swayze told PEOPLE in 2007. “I feel real fortunate that I’ve come out on the other end of it all.”
12of 14’BEAST' WITHINFlynetThough he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment when he started shooting his role as an FBI agent in A&E’sThe Beast, Swayze didn’t let it hold him back. “I’m a miracle, dude,” hetold photographers and fanswhile boarding a flight in July 2008 from Los Angeles to the series' Chicago set. “I don’t know why.” Staying busy on the drama – and even performing his own stunts – helped his determination. “He didn’t want anyone to pamper him,” consulting producer Michael Dinner told PEOPLE in January.
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‘BEAST’ WITHIN
Flynet
Though he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment when he started shooting his role as an FBI agent in A&E’sThe Beast, Swayze didn’t let it hold him back. “I’m a miracle, dude,” hetold photographers and fanswhile boarding a flight in July 2008 from Los Angeles to the series' Chicago set. “I don’t know why.” Staying busy on the drama – and even performing his own stunts – helped his determination. “He didn’t want anyone to pamper him,” consulting producer Michael Dinner told PEOPLE in January.
13of 14COUNTRY BOYBrian BraffOften referring to himself as a cowboy, Swayze always found peace in nature. With wife Lisa and a menagerie of beloved animals, the actor treasured retreating from the spotlight on his 20,000-acre New Mexico ranch and his five-acre homestead in Los Angeles’s San Gabriel Mountains (pictured in December 2008). “I get on a horse and disappear in the mountains with my dogs,” he told PEOPLE in 2007.
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COUNTRY BOY
Brian Braff
Often referring to himself as a cowboy, Swayze always found peace in nature. With wife Lisa and a menagerie of beloved animals, the actor treasured retreating from the spotlight on his 20,000-acre New Mexico ranch and his five-acre homestead in Los Angeles’s San Gabriel Mountains (pictured in December 2008). “I get on a horse and disappear in the mountains with my dogs,” he told PEOPLE in 2007.
14of 14FIGHTING THE FIGHTSolo/ZumaUntil the end, Swayze (in 2005) fought cancer with his whole being: “There is probably that little bird that flies through your insides and says, ‘I sure would like to make a mark in life,’ " Swayze toldThe New York Timeslast October. “I’ve made a pretty decent mark so far – nothing to scoff at. But it does make you think: Wait a minute. There’s more I want to do. Lots more. Get on with it.”
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FIGHTING THE FIGHT
Solo/Zuma
Until the end, Swayze (in 2005) fought cancer with his whole being: “There is probably that little bird that flies through your insides and says, ‘I sure would like to make a mark in life,’ " Swayze toldThe New York Timeslast October. “I’ve made a pretty decent mark so far – nothing to scoff at. But it does make you think: Wait a minute. There’s more I want to do. Lots more. Get on with it.”
source: people.com
