View Full Version : US film star Patrick Swayze dies
StarsOfCCTV
15-09-2009, 01:31
US film star Patrick Swayze dies
Dirty Dancing film star Patrick Swayze has died aged 57, his publicist says.
Annett Wolf said that the US actor, who had been battling pancreatic cancer for nearly two years, died with family at his side on Monday.
Swayze was diagnosed with advanced stage four pancreatic cancer in January last year.
The actor had been starring in US TV show The Beast since being diagnosed with the disease. He had also planned to write a memoir with his wife.
"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 by Annett Wolf quoted by the Associated Press.
No other details were given.
Patrick Swayze was best-known for starring in Dirty Dancing and Ghost.
In January, the star admitted he might only have two years to live, but denied he was near death.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most virulent forms of cancer which medical experts say has a 5% five-year survival rate.
Source: BBC news website.
eta: the fact that the bbc reports his death makes me think its true this time..
Kirsty :]
15-09-2009, 01:36
:eek: :( Oh noooo!!! RIP Patrick :( Thinking of his family at this sad time :( x
tammyy2j
15-09-2009, 01:39
RIP Patrick Swayze :(
That is sad news :( RIP Patrick
Bad Wolf
15-09-2009, 07:58
totally gutted!!!! he was my first love. aged 6 when i watched dirty dancing for the first time!!!!
RIP Patrick Swayze.
Another person who died too young
Patrick Swayze was born in Houston, Texas in 1952 to parents Patsy, a choreographer, and Jesse, an engineering drafter.
His mother would prove to be a big influence on his career and life. It was at her Houston dance school that he showed a skill for performing and met fellow student Lisa Niemi. They married in June 1975 and remained together until his death.
In 1972 he completed his dance training in New York at the Harkness and Joffrey Ballet schools. His first professional job came when he was cast as Prince Charming in touring ice show Disney On Parade. When a recurrence of a high school knee injury sidelined his dancing career, Swayze moved into acting, landing Broadway roles in Goodtime Charley, West Side Story and as Danny Zucko in Grease. His turn in Grease led to attention from Hollywood, prompting him and Lisa to uproot to California where his early jobs included playing a gang leader in the disco-era Skatetown, USA and a leukemia sufferer in the M*A*S*H TV series.
His big movie break came when he was chosen by Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola to star in coming-of-age drama The Outsiders. The film also helped to launch the careers of Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise and Diane Lane, and was the first in a succession of 'Brat Pack' movies to emerge in the '80s.
Already 30, Swayze used The Outsiders as a springboard, establishing himself in TV and film, notably in John Milius's Red Dawn in 1984, until his career sky-rocketed with the release of Dirty Dancing in 1987. Swayze played Johnny Castle, a dance instructor who partners up with teen Baby Houseman (Jennifer Grey). The film pulled in more than $200 million at the US box office and made a significant cultural splash, with the climactic lift and Swayze's line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner," among the film's iconic moments.
The early '90s saw Swayze take on two roles that capitalised on his romantic leading man charm and robust physicality. Ghost, in which he starred as a man killed in a mugging who returns in spirit form to his girlfriend (played by Demi Moore), earned more than $500 million on release and was a double Oscar winner. He followed it up with the lead role in high-octane action film Point Break, playing a surfing bank robber who is pursued by Keanu Reeves's undercover FBI man.
Swayze's subsequent movies failed to match the success of his two early '90s vehicles, and he later suggested that he disliked being cast in roles because of his looks. "Good-looking people turn me off," he commented. "Myself included." Swayze suffered turbulence in his personal life, losing his sister Vicky Lynn to suicide in 1994 and spending time in rehab for alcohol addiction. He experienced an upturn in fortunes in 2001 with the release of Donnie Darko. The surreal science fiction movie failed to set the box office alight but gained cult status on DVD, introducing Swayze, who won praise for his role as a paedophile motivational speaker, to a new audience.
A cameo in Dirty Dancing prequel Havana Nights was sandwiched between theatre roles in Chicago on Broadway and a West End production of Guys And Dolls. Swayze also found time to poke fun at his pin-up image, playing an aging womaniser in Keeping Mum and appearing as himself in an Orange advert where he unsuccessfully pitched a film project about a mute assassin to clueless film executives.
In March 2008, Swayze confirmed that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer. He continued to work, completing a role as an FBI agent in A&E crime drama The Beast. Discussing his battle with cancer last year, he said: "It's a battle zone I go though. Chemo, no matter how you cut it, is hell on wheels. How do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you're a dead man? You go to work."
Swayze appeared at the the Stand Up To Cancer fundraising event that September and said from the stage: "I keep dreaming of a future - a future with a long and healthy life. A life not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light. I dream that everyone diagnosed will be fortunate to have hope... I dream that the word 'cure' will no longer be followed by the words 'it's impossible'. We can do anything."
In January 2009, Swayze was hospitalised and treated for pneumonia believed to be related to his chemotherapy and had to pull out of that month's Television Critics Association event in Los Angeles. At that time he said: "I will go so far as to say probably smoking had something to do with my pancreatic cancer." He added that he had "seriously cut back" on the habit.
It was reported that Swayze's cancer had spread to his liver in April and the following month his publicist was forced to deny "severely reckless reports" that the actor had died. Swayze passed away on September 14 at the age of 57 with his family by his side. He is survived by wife Lisa Niemi, mother Patsy and siblings Don, Sean Kyle and Bambi.
From Digital Spy
totally gutted!!!! he was my first love. aged 6 when i watched dirty dancing for the first time!!!!
I first seen him in the Outsiders and it was love at first sight for me too.. sadly missed :heart::heart: RIP Patrick
angel_eyes87
15-09-2009, 12:31
Cannot believe we have lost another great artist this year.
He was a great actor/dancer, I loved him in Dirty Dancing, I still remember watching the video for the first time and being amazed at the dancing in the movie.
RIP Patrick. Gone but never forgotten!!!
:confused: I didn't get the attraction of Dirty Dancing at all.
I did think that Ghost was one of the best tear jerkers ever, though.
RIP :(
http://blogue.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/patrick-swayze.jpg
angel_eyes87
15-09-2009, 14:38
Totally love Ghost, it is one of the best tearjerkers ever, I especially love the pottery scene.
moonstorm
15-09-2009, 14:50
Poor Patrick. RIP
In a testament to his wide-ranging career, tributes to Patrick Swayze poured in from all corners Monday: from former co-stars, younger actors inspired by his work, and even the New York Yankees.
"Patrick was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace," said Jennifer Grey of her Dirty Dancing co-star. "Gorgeous and strong, he was a real cowboy with a tender heart. He was fearless and insisted on always doing his own stunts, so it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified."
The original baby in the corner went on to say, "When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing, practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see. My heart goes out to his wife and childhood sweetheart, Lisa Niemi, to his mom, Patsy, and to the rest of their family."
"Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can't ever repay," said Whoopi Goldberg, his Ghost co-star. "I believe in Ghost's message, so he'll always be near."
Gary Busey, who appeared with the actor in Point Break, called him "a kindred spirit and a spiritual brother of mine."
"His focus was center target and his purpose was with faith, kindness, grace, understanding, and love," Busey said in a statement.
Tributes to Swayze also included one at Yankee Stadium, where, soon after the news of his death, "(I've Had) the Time of My Life," from Dirty Dancing, boomed from the speakers.
"I have always had a special place in my heart for Patrick," said C. Thomas Howell, who starred with Swayze in The Outsiders, Red Dawn and Grandview. "Not only did we lose a fine actor today, I lost my older Outsiders brother. My heart goes out to not only his entire family, but all his fans as well."
Saturday Night Live head writer Seth Meyers remembered Swazye for a classic skit with Chris Farley: "R.I.P. Patrick Swayze. Many remember you fondest from Dirty Dancing. For me, it will always be with Farley in Chippendales sketch."
Kirstie Alley reached out to Swayze's widow. "Oh my... I just heard about Patrick... unreal... Lisa, here if you need me," she tweeted. "I will always cherish my amazing memories of Patrick...we had so much fun together...come back soon Patrick, we need you here on earth."
Alyssa Milano also tweeted about her sadness at the loss. "RIP Patrick. You were a great talent. And more importantly... a true gentleman."
Shanna Moakler, who recently lost friend DJ AM, captured the mood of many in a year that has seen the death of several beloved entertainers. "RIP Patrick Swayze, I grew up watching and adoring you. We keep losing everyone :("
sindydoll
15-09-2009, 16:56
its sad he is too young! but it was expected
tammyy2j
15-09-2009, 17:05
Kenny Ortega, choreographer for Dirty Dancing and To Wong Foo…, has joined colleagues in paying tribute to Patrick Swayze. “Patrick was a great human being who I knew as a loving son, husband, brother and friend. He was one of the most creative, enjoyable and ALIVE people I knew. He did as much for dancing as any man of our generation. Patrick loved life, and had SUCH an enthusiasm for everything he did. If he could climb it he climbed it. If he could write it, he wrote it. If he could dance it, well, we all know he did. He lived,” Ortega said in a statement.
He continued: “There was a great circle of friends on Dirty Dancing, we became a family: Patrick, Jen, Emile, Eleanor, all of us tucked away in the mountains. There was something there behind the film, the hearts that were all in it together, lovingly connected. Patrick Swayze was a loving and soulful man. The planet has lost a big heart. And I, a forever friend. My loving thoughts to Lisa, Patsy, and his entire family.”
Demi Moore has paid tribute to her former Ghost co-star Patrick Swayze by issuing the following statement: “Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives. In the words of Sam to Molly, ‘It’s amazing Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.’ I will miss you.”
RIP :(
Dirty Dancing and Ghost are some my all time fav films
R.I.P :(
VERY SAD, so young
Chris_2k11
15-09-2009, 18:46
Sad news, RIP.
Chloe O'brien
20-09-2009, 01:55
It's sad but not surprised we only have to look at recent pictures of Patrick to know he was fighting a loosing battle.
R.I.P Patrick thank you for many a drunken night showing of my dirty dancing skills.
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