Patrick Swayze Died Today
by John NolteTerrible news. Fox News just reported that actor Patrick Swayze lost his fight with pancreatic cancer today at the age of 57.
Swayze arrived on the scene in a big way in 1983, with a starring role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.” Distinguishing yourself among the likes of Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Matt Dillon in that film was no small feat. And while all would go on to enjoy very successful careers, none would star in “Road House” and “Red Dawn.”
My definition of a great actor is one who convinces in the role; one who doesn’t take you out of the story with all the tics and technique. By that standard Swayze never disappointed. A trained dancer, his physical abilities sold the action, his sincerity brought heart to the romance and a complete lack of pretension made him accessible — made him something that is all but extinct today: a real-live movie star.
Time is what creates the classic film, not critics or box office, and time has made clear that Swayze made a mark on cinema few might have expected twenty years ago. “Road House,” “Point Break,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” live endlessly on cable television and DVD players everywhere. They are a immortal part of our culture and … they are Patrick Swayze movies.
We don’t know a whole lot about Swayze’s personal life, which was another big reason to like him, but he was married to the same woman, Lisa Niemi, for 34 years. In the real world what that says about the character of a man is impressive. In Hollywood, it says everything.
A few lesser known but still terrific Swayze films you might check out are “Grandview U.S.A.,” ”Next of Kin,” “To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar,” and “Black Dog.”
In 1989 I was 23 years old and saw “Road House” as the second feature at a drive-in theatre.
“Road House” + Drive-In = The Perfect Movie Experience.
Thanks for that, Patrick. Thanks for everything. Rest in peace.
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144 Comments
RIP Patrick!
Red Dawn!
Rest In Peace.
You forgot to mention Swayze's small but very memorable role in "Donnie Darko."
Swayze always seemed like a gentleman and an all-around nice guy. He also never appeared to want to steal the scene – he always appeared to be a very gracious actor.
Hollywood lost one of the good guys today. May he rest in peace.
RIP.
I loved his movies.
Your pain has ended, rest in peace
R.I.P. Mr Swayze, and thank you for entertaining us all these years.
Underrated and understated, he always had an aura of class and integrity to me. Thoughts and prayers for his family.
Wow
Swayze was one of the good ones! I think it should be pointed out that the man knew something of the martial arts. One could see classic Wu Shu moves in the fight scenes in Road House and the Tai Chi katas by the lake seemed very real. Like someone who had practiced and learned the art instead of someone who just learned basic moves to look like a bad ass for the silver screen. I could be wrong on that but I don't think so. That was one of the reasons I liked him as an actor. I have always liked Kung Fu when I was growing up. Tai Chi Chaun, Wu Shu, Hsing I etc. It was always fascinating to me though I never learned much of it.
Rest in Peace Patrick.
[...] John Nolte, Big Hollywood: Patrick Swayze Died Today: Time is what creates the classic film, not critics or box office, and time has made clear that [...]
Aw, just damn. He was so easy to like. I'm just glad that it seemed his life was his own, however brief. He transcended the Hollywood scene as few can, by just not being a part of it.
Prayers for Patrick and those who loved him.
RIP Miss Vida Boheme.
Quite honestly, I'm surprised given his diagnosis, that he was able to live this long. He was a terrific actor, dancer, and (from what I can tell) a terrific man.
Ugh, another part of my childhood dies..he was a good man which is a rarity in Hollywood today.
RIP prayers for his family.
His movies will be seen as long as people watch movies. Audiences will laugh, they will cry, and they will be inspired. Rent Ghost or Dirty Dancing on a date or rally against our own red invasion by watching Red Dawn. Mr. Swayze is off riding that big wave in the sky.
May your spirit live on, Patrick. RIP.
I first saw Patrick Swayze in "North and South" in the mid-eighties. Oddly I just happened to recently re-view it. He was terrific as Orry Main, so great the character was elevated in "Book 2" to the star that the character wasn't in the book. One thing that always stood out to me was the incredible chemistry he always had with his leading ladies: Lesley-Anne Down, Demi Moore, and Jennifer Grey are the ones that come immediately to mind. You just wanted to love him. So sad.
A sad day for sure, I loved 'Red Dawn' so much, I still can watch that atleast once a month and it never gets old. 'Next of Kin' was a great movie as well. He was a class act and a very good actor, he will be missed.He battled his cancer with strength and was a proud man through it all.
R.I.P. Patrick, you've earned your rest.
First movie I saw Patrick in was Red Dawn. He was amazing. He played the role of older brother perfectly. He was a role model to his kid brother. Take charge. Then North and South. I think every girl in high school back then fell in love with him then. God he was beautiful as Orry Main. I had every poster of his I could get my hands on. One thing I remember was every time you saw him with a horse his eyes lite up like a christmas tree light's going on.I always thought that was so fantastic. A man who loves horses is a good man. And the way he was with his wife, Lisa. They were what husband and wife should be like. I feel so bad for her. Lisa if you read this, take care, God bless. You have our thoughts and prayers. Patrick we will miss you. Our world was made a less wonderful place today.
We all lost one of the good guys today. R.I.P. Patrick. I'll pray for you and your family.
Brilliant dancer, faithful husband, gorgeous man, talented actor, and respected horseman. What's not to admire? RIP Patrick, we'll miss you.
RIP patrick. highest condolences to your family.
His wife, Lisa Niemi, directed a movie about dancing with Patrick Swayze. It is called "One Last Dance", about 3 oldtimer dancers and their reconciliation. I remember one moment when they arrive at a dance studio, and Lisa pulls out a cigarette, and then is told that they don't smoke in dance studios anymore.
It was made in 2003, and was a very small movie, but memorable.
Sad deal. He said he was hoping to get to 2 years, and he came pretty close. Married to his wife who he knew since he was 19 and married to her for 35 years. That pretty much sums it up
Loved Red Dawn. Great movie. I always remember the SNL with him and Chris Farley doing the Chippendale's dance. Great stuff!
Loved Red Dawn. Great movie. I always remember the SNL with him and Chris Farley doing the Chippendale's dance. Great stuff! Great guy!
He seemed to me to be one of the kindest most gracious people in the entertainment industry. No pretention, no mass destructive ego and/or deliberate crulty on the sets. He apparenty treated everyone from cast and crew the same and opted to mingle, eating in neighborhood diners when on location to sitting with his publicists and entourage in his trailer fuming over who knews what. He had a long marriage. He loed animals and people and nary was there ever anything negative said about Patrick Swayze. He as an all around good guy.
Why is it that we lose the good ones but the rotten ones seem to hang on forever? The Oliver Stones, Bill Mahers, Alec Baldwins, Babs Stresands and Sean Penns will probably hang on to reach 86 years old. There's no justice in the world at all.
Rest in peace, Patrick. You will be both missed and never forgotten. Just reading the title of 'Ghost' or 'Dirty Dancing' brings a smile and a heart flutter to this young (61yr) girl. God Speed…
He seemed to me to be one of the kindest most gracious people in the entertainment industry. No pretention, no mass destructive ego and/or deliberate crulty on the sets. He apparenty treated everyone from cast and crew the same and opted to mingle, eating in neighborhood diners when on location, to sitting with his publicists and an entourage in his trailer fuming over who knews what. He had a long marriage. He loved animals and people and nary was there ever anything negative said about Patrick Swayze. He as an all around good guy.
SO
Why is it that we lose the good ones but the rotten ones seem to hang on forever? The Oliver Stones, Bill Mahers, Alec Baldwins, Babs Stresands and Sean Penns will probably hang on to reach 86 years old.
There's no justice in the world at all.
He seemed to me to be one of the kindest most gracious people in the entertainment industry. No pretention, no mass destructive ego and/or deliberate cruelty on the sets. He apparenty treated everyone from cast and crew the same and opted to mingle, eating in neighborhood diners when on location, to sitting with his publicists and an entourage in his trailer fuming over who knews what. He had a long marriage. He loved animals and people and nary was there ever anything negative said about Patrick Swayze. He as an all around good guy.
SO
Why is it that we lose the good ones but the rotten ones seem to hang on forever? The Oliver Stones, Bill Mahers, Alec Baldwins, Babs Stresands and Sean Penns will probably hang on to reach 86 years old.
There's no justice in the world at all.
Red Dawn, North and South and his A&E "The Beast" ! That show rocked but it was hard to see him getting thinner. He was truly one of the good guys! May perpetual light shine upon him….and may he Rest In Peace.
He seemed to me to be one of the kindest most gracious people in the entertainment industry. No pretention, no mass destructive ego and/or deliberate cruelty on the sets. He apparenty treated everyone from cast and crew the same and opted to mingle, eating in neighborhood diners when on location, to sitting with his publicists and an entourage in his trailer fuming over who knews what. He had a long marriage. He loved animals and people and nary was there ever anything negative said about Patrick Swayze. He was an all around good guy who apparently left everyone he met smiling after him..
SO
Why is it that we lose the good ones but the rotten ones seem to hang on forever? The Oliver Stones, Bill Mahers, Alec Baldwins, Babs Stresands and Sean Penns will probably hang on to reach 86 years old.
There's no justice in the world at all.
Yeah, liked that one. Loaded with people and of course Jennifer and Lea in it didn't hurt.
One of the few true Real Men in Hollywood and so obviously a man of good character. I loved him as Orry Main and even more in DD and Ghost. He didnt just wear the clothes for his part, he looked and acted like he belonged in each and every part he played, even in the pin-up I had of him dressed as a construction worker. If I hadnt known better, I would have thought he had simply been 'caught in the act' by an admiring photographer…he wore each part with pride and masculinity and it was glorious to see. My thoughts and prayers for the family. May God's peace be with you in your pain and loss.
"Why is it that we lose the good ones but the rotten ones seem to hang on forever? The Oliver Stones, Bill Mahers, Alec Baldwins, Babs Stresands and Sean Penns will probably hang on to reach 86 years old.
There's no justice in the world at all. "
As my mother use to say : "the devil doesn't want them."
A very sad day, indeed. My thoughts and prayers are offered for his entire family, but especially to Lisa who has lost her partner in life and in dance.
One of the "good guys" is gone.
It makes me very sad.
Thanks Patrick, for giving me a little time off.
Not Over.
I hope his eternal welcome is as good as his closing scene in Ghost. Patrick is at peace and prayers for Lisa and his family.
Almost as Sad as the ending of Ghost
Almost as Sad as the ending of Ghost
Rip Swayze, a Celebrity who I could actually appreciate.
Good one.
Dance and martial arts are very compatible and he could easily have incorporated martial arts training into his repertoire. I have almost 20 years of training myself and I always thought he seemed like a convincing fighter.
I loooved "North and South" and Swayze was terrific. As always.
I know it sounds silly, but if you go back and watch Red Dawn, his strong performance as Jed maintains the film's serious tone and prevents it from becoming "just another 80s action movie".
Also, Road House, Point Break and even Black Dog were better than they should have been thanks to Mr. Swayze.
I know it sounds silly, but if you go back and watch Red Dawn, his strong performance as Jed maintains the film's serious tone and prevents it from becoming "just another 80s action movie". That is probably why the movie is so loved by men that were teenagers in the 80s.
Also, Road House, Point Break and even Black Dog were better than they should have been thanks to Mr. Swayze.
It doesn't matter that we knew he was sick, this still sucks. I always liked Swayze and I'll miss him. Rest in peace Patrick. Heaven's gain is our loss.
Swayze was one of those actors whom you didn't care what his opinions or politics were because he did exactly what every actor in hollywood should do: he kept it to himself. RIP, buddy.
It's interesting… just recently (after watching Smokey and the Bandit), I was thinking about the last movie that took place in the world of big rigs. Then I remembered Swayze did a movie like ten years ago called Black Dog. I never saw it but it might've been one of the last movies he did that was given a wide release in theaters.
So sad. I always thought he was ripe for a big comeback (kinda like Stallone) doing some old school action flick.
And I saw Red Dawn for the first time just a couple years ago. I can certainly see why it's remained so popular after all these years.
He was a wonderful dancer, a funny guy (SNL sketch with Chris Farley comes to mind), and fought a tremendous fight against a terrible disease. Best, he found the love of his life and stayed with her as long as he could. That's a good life.
I know for a fact that the move in the bar where he raises theguys head slams it dwn on the table and raises it up is a Tai Chi Chuan move. My Sifu explained it when we were watching it and showed me the move. I am almost sure that Swayze was a trained Martial Artist. IT would have taken him to long to learn the moves and it was clear it was him and not a double. I only had a couple of years of basic Wu Shu myself.
I loved Swayze. He could pull off sensitive and still be a bad ass.
A shame and a loss…thoughts and prayers to his family…
…you know, he always made enjoyable and watchable movies, not works of "fine art"…no deep thoughts, no big messages (other than resist the Commies in Red Dawn YA!)…
I liked that about him…Roadhouse, Red Dawn, Dirty D, …what a great resume…
A shame and a loss…thoughts and prayers go out to his family…
…you know, he always made enjoyable and watchable movies, not works of "fine art"…no deep thoughts, no big messages (other than resist the Commies in Red Dawn YA!)…
I liked that about him…Roadhouse, Red Dawn, Dirty D, …what a great resume…
"There's no justice in the world at all. "
There's no justice in *this* world at all.
Patrick – class, grace and talent. RIP.
Same here, the first time I saw Patrick was in "Red Dawn". Recently I heard that someone was going to remake it. UGH! To me, that movie was just a little to real, having grown-up in the 60's and practicing duck and cover.
And the Chippendale in SNL, my kids love it.
What a great, classy guy. We need more like him.
Those of here in Houston who know Patrick and his family are deeply saddened by his lost. He always made H Town proud and especially those of us in the Oak Forest area .Go with God .
Patrick Swayze will always be Bohdi to me, catching that last wave into eternity. R.I.P. you magnificent bastard.
Outsiders is the back end of a Road House double feature tonight. RIP Patrick, thoughts and prayers to his wife and family.
I met Patrick when we were teens in Houston. My best friend took ballet lessons from his mom, Patsy. He neverl allowed Hollywood or fame to change his basic down-to earth character. He remained a humble, genuine person. The Swayzes were and remain, salt of the earth. He will be missed.
Yeah, that was quite an interesting if not downright ballsy roll.
Talk about playing against type.
I was glad to read that he went peacefully with his family by his side. A nice finale to such a terribly nasty cancer.
During Christmas vacay the girls in my family (and our one male cousin) used to pile on the couches and watch Dirty Dancing and Roadhouse. I used to get pissed when my sister would call being Baby. The not very lady like comments got worse and worse with each passing year.
Gone but not forgotten in the "Fucan" household Patrick.
Patrick, God took you early for reasons only he knows. You did well Patrick, you always had class and your work will live forever. I admire your dignity to keep working as an actor while you were fighting this killer and you never went on any show to whine as a lot of these people do. You kept it quiet and with your family. You have left a giant hole for all those who knew you and loved you. All our hearts go out to your lovely wife and family. Thank you for all your hard work as a dancer, actor and great American.
I really enjoyed his work.
"The Beast" was a pretty good series and you could really tell that he was hurting, but he never gave up. I feel for his family. He seemed to be a great guy.
UM no worries about the Red Dawn remake. You will like it. Just believe me.
Swayze is not the greatest actor, nor the biggest star, nor did he star in the highest-quality movies. But he had a knack for picking the right movies, and for longevity's sake, that is the most necessary of talents. Look at Cary Grant (not to imply Swayze's anywhere close to Grant's league). Though a definitely a box office draw, he was one star among many, but with roles in "Bringing Up Baby," "The Philadelphia Story," "North By Northwest," "Notorious," and "Charade," people my age might assume he was Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, and Sean Connery all rolled into one.
With "Red Dawn," "Dirty Dancing," "Road House," "Ghost," and "Point Break," Swayze will live forever. Take that, Rob Lowe!
"and the Tai Chi katas by the lake seemed very real"
You mean when he ripped the guy's trachea out? Do they do that a lot in China?
Last year, at Stand Up to Cancer, he came to do an appeal. It was special, as few knew he was coming. He looked tired and tried, but had a reserve of inner strength that propelled him through. I'm not one to chat up talent on shows that I work and didn't want to bother him. Now I wish I had.
A genuinely good man was lost today. Godspeed and rest well, Patrick.
He was also hilarious in a British comedy from a couple of years ago, "Keeping Mum".
It's a real hoot.
RIP Patrick.
I'll play my Dirty Dancing LP this afternoon and watch Dirty Dancing tonight.
Damn. Bye, Patrick…take care buddy.
He was always cool. I remember when the guys at MSTK poked a little fun at him with their "Have a Patrick Swayze Christmas" routine and it's reported that Patrick actually got a kick out of it.
He wasn't above laughing at himself. The guy was just an all around class act.
Think I'm gonna watch me some Road House in his honor.
My favorite Swayze role was one of his earliest. He had a bit part in an episode of M*A*S*H playing a soldier who discovered he had leukemia and he refused to leave for treatment to help a wounded buddy's recovery. Father Mulcahy was being a jerk because of a visiting cardinal until seeing the soldier's plight and selflessness showed him how petty his problems were in comparison.
sooooo …
I will always remember Mr. Swayze being hired by my first ballet teacher/artistic director for a small "pick-up" company that she put together as part of a lecture-demonstration tour through WNY and NW Penn. (This was at a time when grants for the arts were A) A privelige(sp?) to receive, and B) Not used to further a political agenda.) That he was quite easy on the eyes was obvious, (we had to have drool buckets under our chins and the squeals we had to suppress, oh my!), but he was polite,respectful, and was a total professional at the "ripe old age" of 19-20. He could easily have had a career on those attributes alone but the physical talent he posessed was something that was God given. That he had a long and successful career, along with a wonderful marriage for 34 years was a gift that we were blessed to share whether it was film, television or a simple sit down interview. Thank you Patrick.
Patrick was a good man. God bless him
As I stand in line in the checkout, I glance at the tabloids. I'll say this about Patrick – throughout his painful ordeal, he managed to keep his dignity. Not easily done by celebrities. Obviously I never knew him, but I can still say that he was a class act by how he interacted with his wife and the public.
Very sad news. Mr. Swayze was a good Southern gentleman and had something rare in Hollywood – a long marriage. He always came across as just a really good, really nice person.
I have to say, the first thing I remember seeing him in was Skatetown USA, which, the 11 year old me loved.
Lucky for him, better things came his way. Loved him in The Outsiders, North and South, Red Dawn and To Wong Foo.
RIP Mr. Swayze…you will definitely be missed.
He also starred in the single funniest moment in SNL history (post John Belushi) when he danced for a Chippendales audition opposite Chris Farley. I really admired Mr. Swayze, and am glad I'll have his movies for as long as I'm around.
YOUNGBLOOOOOOD!!!!
RIP, Patrick. When I heard he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I knew it was a death sentence, having lost my dad to the same disease. He also lasted 2 years. When I saw the Barbara Walters interview, it was confirmed to me. It was eerie – he looked exactly as my dad had looked just a few months before he passed.
He was a wonderful actor, classy and not full of hate and destruction. As with most such actors, I did not know his politics, nor did I care. He did what he was hired to do – entertain – and he did it well.
My condolescences to his family.
I'm sure Lowe prefers having a pulse…
"I'm sure Lowe prefers having a pulse…"
Yeah, probably, but it'll hit him when he's on his death bed.
Absolutely!My fav.Rip young man!
Yeah!Loved that!
In that respect, he reminds me of my ultimate favorite, Gary Sinise. Oozing talent that Hollywood doesn't know what to do with.
I'm gonna miss Miss Vida Boheme.
*MissQuinn*
Seemed like a nice guy. Way too young to die.
GHOST is good.
ROAD HOUSE – Not usually what I watch/like, but that one was a rouser!
RIP P.S.
Echoing a lot of what others have said, but wanted to add that my oldest daughter was as saddened by his passing as I was, which shows that he had the ability to span generations. Hopefully that will keep his memory alive for a long time to come. Rest in peace, Patrick.
Ditto, i totally agree! R.I.P. you were an awesome Actor Patrick, now you can go put smiles on the Angels faces with your great acting and dancing talents!
I will miss seeing you in more movies.. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family and close friends.
we all love you Patrick
Aw, jeez, man…
I am gonna miss him.
Love and comfort for his family and friends, and more than a few prayers, too…
But just because its New Mexico, and it was the first movie I saw him in…
WOLVERINES!!!!!
If it is completely devoid of blaming America for the invasion, showing Americans as weak and 'just wanting peace' regardless of the price, etc. then maybe. Somehow I doubt that movie could be made in today's political environment. What made it so good was it was made during the height of the cold war, the plot wasn't probable, but is was possible. We all feared the Red menace and we fantasized about taking to the hills with our high school buddies and fighting the good fight!
RIP Patrick you were fantastic, Red Dawn and SNL were my favorite moments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfKk5zE8e08
Comic relief…
R.I.P. Patrick Swayze. A fine actor and by all accounts a fine human being. You will be missed.
There was a new star in the sky last night. RIP, Mr. Swayze. You'll be missed.
The only actor of celebrity that I have ever been really, REALLY jealous of was Patrick Swayze. He was handsome but not pretty, tough but also smart, very natural and seemed to have a genuinely self-deprecating sense of humor. My ex-wife and her friends used to dissect Swayze's films with the same intensity that Robert Oppenheimer must have brought to the study of the atom. Glad to say that I got over it particularly after "Road House" redefined the term "guilty pleasure." And of course there's "Red Dawn." Mr. Swayze was a talented, graceful and dignified man who was taken away far too early. Like everyone else here I'm going to miss him.
R.i.p Patrick Swayze
<3
I completely agree – North and South was a great series and he was tremendous – so strong and protective and honorable. I heard him say in an interview once that Orry Main was a character he could really relate with. I wish they would show clips of that movie along with Dirty Dancing and Ghost. I am so sad to hear that he won't be making any more of these great movies.
The 1st film I ever actually saw him in was "Steel Dawn." Not a great movie, but he was pretty amazing as a swordfighter in it, I thought (and still think). I just looked it up on imdb and I didn't realize that the female lead was his wife.
Iread a good story about patrick swayze dead
http://taszara.com/patrick-swayze-died-patrick-sw...
RIP Patrick.
Great electro music featuring the classic Swayze line 'Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner' here –
http://batcountry.bandcamp.com/track/nobody-puts-...
Another good person who died before his time. There are so many more people in Hollywood that could have taken his place.
How can someone not have said it already?
WOLVERINES!!!!
I frist met Patrick's mother at HSPVA (High School for the preforming Arts ) in Houston Texas. I am one of a few in that founding class of 1974. Patsy , daughter Bambi , Lisa and Patrick would practice ballet long after school was let out. We, had the honor of a watching a star being born in the mist of our own futures.
He was always a kind and soft spoken gentleman. Lisa H. was so wonderful when she danced. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and know that Patsy and her family are in my prayers. I lost my older brother to the same cancer and I understand the how hard the loss is. I will continue to pray for both families and friends of this beautiful soul and talented man. He will be missed for all the days of our lives. I have rare memories of a time when our lives were so very young and the future was vast. God be with you Patrick. I'll see you in Heaven.
Lisa, have faith and believe that you will see Patrick in heaven too. Patsy, it is hard to loose a son, and that is so hard to bare, but believe that God can and will heal your broken hard and grieving your loss in a global affair.
Karen Vega of Houston, Texas. Class of 1974.
I'm going to go and get "Red Dawn"! I've never seen or heard of it before, but my favoirte movie of Patrick is "Ghost". I could watch it everyday if I had the time. Thanks, Patrick, for the contribution you made to Hollywood. May you rest in peace. Condolescences to the family. I'm praying for you.
How sad! He always seemed like a nice guy, but he never again came close the career longevity/productivity he should have had post-"Dancing" and "Ghost." Can "Ghost" be 19 years ago?? That was by far his last big mainstream hit, which shouldn't have been the case.
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