Name: Patrick Swayze
Birth Name: Patrick Wayne Swayze
Height: 5? 10
Nationality: American
Birth Date: August 18, 1952
Birth Place: Houston, Texas, USA
Profession: actor, producer, former dancer, and Singer-Songwriter.
Education: Joffrey Ballet School in New York, New York
San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas
acting classes with Warren Robertson in New York and Milton Katselas in Los Angeles
Wife: Lisa Niemi (actress, dancer; born on May 26, 1956; married in 1975)
Father: Jesse Swayze (engineering draftsman; died in 1982)
Mother: Patsy Swayze (choreographer, dancer)
Sister: Vicky Swayze (committed suicide in 1994), Bambi Swayze
Brother: Don Swayze (actor; born on August 10, 1958), Sean Swayze.
Patrick Wayne Swayze’s star first shined bright during his role as the 
romantic hero in the movie, ‘Dirty Dancing’. Before that, he was more of a dancer and singer by profession, rather than an actor. Few remember of his 1983 role in the movie, “The Outsiders”, where other big actors like C. Thomas Howell Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Emilio Estevez, Leif Garrett, and even Diane Lane. His association with the film industry has been three decades long, in which he has received four Golden Globe nominations. He was also listed as the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ in 1991 edition of People’s magazine. Though Patrick Swayze has been suffering from pancreatic cancer and is in stage four of the disease, he has not let his illness hamper his artistic talent.
Childhood And Education
Patrick Swayze is of Irish descent. While his mother, Patricia “Patsy” Yvonne Helen (née Karnes) was a choreographer, dance instructor and dancer by profession, his father was an engineering drafter. Patrick Swayze has three siblings – Vicki (deceased), Sean and Don Swayze, who is also an actor. Swayze completed his basic educational qualification from four schools – St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Oak Forest Elementary School, Black Middle School and Waltrip High School.
Apart from gaining academic degrees, Patrick Swayze also pursued artistic and athletic activities like ice skating, classical ballet and acting in plays, during his school days. He also enrolled in San Jacinto College for two years to learn the art of gymnastics. It was in 1972 that Patrick Swayze changed his lodgings from Texas to New York City, to complete his formal dance training at the Harkness Ballet School and Joffrey Ballet School.
Career
Patrick Swayze’s started his dancing career with Disney. Thereafter, he joined Broadway theatre production; with ‘Grease’ being his first-ever stage show. Swayze’s first plunge into the big screen was with the movie ‘Skatetown, U.S.A.’, in the year 1979. However, it was with the 1983 release ‘The Outsiders’ that he earned a name in the industry. Though he played the elder brother of C. Thomas Howell and Rob Lowe in the movie, it brought instant acclaim and appreciation for his artistic talent. Nonetheless, major success still eluded this talented actor.
It was with the 1985 television mini-series, ‘North and South’, set during the American Civil War, that Patrick Swayze hit the jackpot. While this TV series established his position as an actor, 1987 movie ‘Dirty Dancing’ took his career graph to greater heights. Though a low budget flick, the movie achieved massive international success and fully explored Swayze acting, dancing and singing talent. He was received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in the movie. Despite receiving so much appreciation, Swayze could not maintain his position and became a part of several flops later on.
Patrick Swayze, however, regained his position with the 1990 flick, ‘Ghost’. He was, then, seen in the hit action film, ‘Point Break’. Swayze received another setback, when he was injured while shooting for HBO’s ‘Letters from a Killer’. With both his legs broken and four detached tendons in his shoulder, it became difficult for the actor to resume his career. It was only in 2000 that Swayze was seen on the screen once again, with the movies like ‘Waking Up in Reno’ and ‘Forever Lulu’.
Following his return, Patrick Swayze did a number of movies and also actively participated in theatres and television. Swayze was last seen in the 2007 film ‘Christmas in Wonderland’. Some of his upcoming works include the film ‘Powder Blue’, slated for 2009 release. Swayze has played the role of an aging rock star in the movie. He will also feature in the television drama ‘The Beast’, which is scheduled to air in early 2009. Swayze plays the role of FBI Agent Charles Barker in the tele-series.
Other Interests
Though Patrick Swayze was raised as a Roman Catholic, he has also studied the Bahá’í Faith, Buddhism, and Scientology. Swayze was also a part of ABC, NBC, and CBS simulcast of ‘Stand Up to Cancer’, aired in September 2008. During his appearance, he appealed to the general public to donate for the cause.
Personal Life
Patrick Swayze married Lisa Niemi in the year 1975. The duo had first met when Nieme was taking dancing lessons from his mother, in 1970. At that time, Nieme was only 16 years of age.
Nominations
1987: Nominated for Golden Globe for Best Actor, Comedy or Musical for (Dirty Dancing)
1989: Nominated for Razzie Award for Worst Actor for (Next of Kin & Road House)
1990: Nominated for Golden Globe for Best Actor, Comedy or Musical for (Ghost)
1995: Nominated for Golden Globe for Best Actor, Comedy or Musical for (To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar)
Filmography
1979: Skatetown USA
1983: Uncommon Valor, The Outsiders
1984: Red Dawn, Grandview, U.S.A.
1986: Youngblood
1987: Dirty Dancing, Steel Dawn
1988: Tiger Warsaw
1989: Next of Kin, Road House
1990: Ghost
1991: Point Break
1992: City of Joy
1993: Father Hood
1995: Disney’s Tall Tale, Three Wishes, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
1998: Letters from a Killer, Black Dog
2000: Forever Lulu
2001: Donnie Darko, Green Dragon,
2002: Waking Up in Reno
2003: One Last Dance, 11:14
2004: Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, George and the Dragon, King Solomon’s Mines
2005: Keeping Mum, Icon
2006: The Fox and the Hound 2
2007: Jump!, Christmas in Wonderland
2009: Powder Blue, The Beast (TV)
Patrick Swayze was one of my favorite actors. i always watch his last television series which is The Beast.
Patrick Swayze is one of the best actors in Hollywood and we are going to miss him.
i remember Patrick Swayze with Jennifer Grey on Dirty Dancing movie’,`