Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze began his career as a dancer appearing as Prince Charming from Cinderella (1950) in Disneyland parades. One of the many Cinderellas he danced with was Michelle Pfeiffer.

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Swayze was reportedly offered $6,000,000 to reprise the role of Johnny Castle in the sequel to Dirty Dancing (1987), but he turned it down.

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At the age of 19, he met his future wife Lisa Niemi, then 15, when she attended dance classes taught by his mother, Patsy Swayze.

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He trained as a dancer at the Harkness and Joffrey ballet schools in New York. In 2004 he appeared as a dance instructor in the "prequel" Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004).

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In a January 2009 interview with Barbara Walters, Swayze acknowledged that his past as a recovering alcoholic and heavy smoker may have contributed to his illness. He was reported to have admitted that he once smoked 60 cigarettes a day.

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He appeared in the music video for the rock group Toto's "Rosanna" (1982) as a dancer in a red letterman jacket, alongside his Dirty Dancing (1987) co-star Cynthia Rhodes.

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He was initially cast in Kurt Russell's role in Tango & Cash (1989), but dropped out to make Road House (1989).

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He replaced Kevin Sorbo in the lead role of Black Dog (1998) after Kevin had to take a week off from filming due to an aneurysm in his shoulder.

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Swayze owned a five-acre property called 'Rancho Bizarro' in Sylmar, Los Angeles. He died there on September 14, 2009, at the age of 57, after a well-publicized battle with pancreatic cancer.

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In 1991 he was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. That same year he was also named People's "Sexiest Man Alive."

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On August 18, 1997, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

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He was a practitioner of Wushu, Taekwondo, Aikido, Judo, Karate, Wing Chun and Ukidokan Kickboxing, which he used to channel his self-deprecating anger.

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After the unexpected success of Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990), he was briefly dubbed the 'King of the Sleepers.'.

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He was considered for the roles of Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon (1987), Connor MacLeod in Highlander (1986) and Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989).

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While flying alone from California to Las Vegas in his twin-engine Cessna, he noticed a mechanical problem and decided to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road near a small settlement complex in Prescott Valley in northern Arizona. There were no injuries. Fire and sheriff's officials said the plane's wing was damaged and that they found no one at the scene when they arrived. It later emerged that Patrick had hitchhiked a ride from a passing vehicle and was taken to a nearby house, where he telephoned the authorities.

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Beginning in the early 1990s (shortly after the box-office success of Ghost (1990)), his name or the phrase "I'm Swayze" often appeared in hip-hop lyrics as a reference to, or a replacement for, the earlier slang "I'm ghost," meaning "I'm leaving/out of here/gone, etc." The Notorious B.I.G. was one artist who particularly enjoyed including this phrase in his songs. Swayze's appearance in the video for Ja Rule's single "Murder Reigns" was also a nod to his curious place in hip-hop culture.

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He was offered a role in Predator 2 (1990) but was unable to take it due to scheduling conflicts. Danny Glover was cast instead.

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It was announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January and was undergoing treatment, but that he continued to work on projects.

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During the filming of Tall Tale (1995), Patrick Swayze stayed at the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. His photograph and signature hang in the main lobby.

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Patrick Swayze's father, Jesse Wayne Swayze, was a chemical plant engineer in Houston, Texas. Besides sharing the middle name "Wayne," Jesse and Patrick both died at the same age (57 years): Jesse suffered a fatal heart attack in 1982, and Patrick died of cancer in 2009. Patrick Swayze's mother was dancer Patsy Swayze. His younger brother is actor Don Swayze, and his former sister-in-law is Marcia Swayze. Patrick and Don Swayze's sister, Vicky Swayze, committed suicide in 1994.

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In 1976, Patrick Swayze nearly had to have his left leg amputated because of a staph infection that settled in his weakened left knee, caused by a dental abscess.

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Patrick Swayze was hospitalized for a week due to internal bleeding.

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Patrick Swayze attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School and Black Middle School in Houston, Texas. He graduated from S. P. Waltrip High School in Houston in 1971. Other Waltrip High School alumni include Shelley Duvall and wrestler Mark Calaway (also known as The Undertaker). Swayze excelled at football and gymnastics in high school and earned an athletic scholarship in college. After finishing high school, he trained in gymnastics for two years at San Jacinto College.

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Patrick Swayze trained in acting with Milton Katselas at The Beverly Hills Playhouse.

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Patrick Swayze's body was cremated and his ashes were scattered on his New Mexico ranch.

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Patrick Swayze won the role of Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing" (1987) over Eric Roberts.

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Patrick Swayze was born in the year "Guiding Light" moved from radio to television (1952) and died in the year the series aired its final episode (2009).

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Patrick Swayze was of English, Irish and Scottish descent. His surname originates in England.

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Patrick Swayze appeared in a film nominated for Best Picture: Ghost (1990).

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Patrick Swayze was born at 8:10 a.m. (CST).

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