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Patrick Swayze, born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, was a versatile individual who excelled as an actor, singer, and songwriter. He gained recognition for his portrayal of tough guys and romantic leading men and was even voted the most sexist man alive. Some of his notable films include Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and the T.V. mini-series North and South.
Swayze came from a Roman Catholic family. His father Jesse Wayne Swayze worked as an engineering draftsman while his mother Pasty Yvonne Helen had multiple roles as a choreographer, dance instructor, and dancer.
Patrick Swayze had two younger brothers, Sean Kyle and Don Swayze, who was also an actor.
He also had an older sister named Vickie Lynn. On June 12, 1975, Patrick Swayze married Lisa Niemi, his hometown sweetheart. They first met in 1970 when Swayze was 18 and Niemi was 15; at that time, she was taking dance lessons from his mother. Despite their efforts to conceive after getting married, they were unable to have children.
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Instead, they dedicated themselves to their ranch where they took care of dogs, horses, and cattle. At the age of 20, Patrick lived in Oak Forest in Houston and attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.
During his school years, he participated in a range of artistic and athletic pursuits such as ice skating, classical ballet, school play acting, and high school football. However, an injury to his knee halted his football aspirations even though he had earned a college scholarship. In college, he focused on studying gymnastics at San Jacinto College for two years.
Following graduation in 1972, he moved to New York City with the aim of receiving formal dance instruction from both Harkness Ballet and Joffery Ballet School. He made his professional dancing debut with Disney on Parade.
His rugged looks, winning smile, and studied movements led him to roles on Broadway's "Goodtime Charley”, “West Side Story", and "Grease". He later starred as a replacement, playing Danny Zuko in the longest running Broadway production of Grease, before making his debut film appearance as "Ace" in Skatetown U. S. A. He also appeared as PVT Strugis in the M*A*S*H episode “Blood Brother” and briefly appeared in 1982 on the short-lived television series The Renegades, where he played a gang leader named Bandit. He gained recognition in the film industry for his role as the older brother in The Outsiders, alongside C. Thomas Howell and Rob Lowe as the younger two brothers.
One year later, they reunited in "Young Brother" and regarded him as part of the Brat Pack. His initial significant achievement occurred in the 1985 television miniseries North and South, in which he explored the American Civil War. This saga chronicles the enduring friendship between Orry Main from South Carolina (Patrick Swayze) and George Hazard from Pennsylvania (James Read), who bond as close friends while studying at West Point Military Academy, only to find themselves and their families on opposite sides of the conflict.
The Mains, rural plantation owners who owned slaves, and the Hazards, residents of a small mill town in the North reliant on manufacturing and industry, represented the opposing North-South division that ultimately led to the Civil War. However, everything changed in 1987 when he gained sudden popularity for his starring role in "Dirty Dancing" with Jennifer Grey. This could have been the part he had been preparing for throughout his entire life - portraying Johnny Castle, the charming dance instructor known for his tight pants, Cuban heels, and attraction to younger women.
Patrick Swayze's character delivered the iconic line "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" to Jerry Orbach's character, Jennifer Grey's father, during the final dance-off in Dirty Dancing. Despite its initial plans of being a low-budget film with limited theatrical release and direct-to-video distribution, this tale of personal development surpassed expectations and gained immense global success. With over 214 million copies sold worldwide, it has also inspired numerous adaptations.
Despite being produced by a new studio, Great American Films Limited Partnership, Dirty Dancing was originally a low-budget film. It did not feature any major stars, except for Broadway legend Jerry Orbach in a supporting role. However, the movie defied expectations and became a massive success at the box office.
Patrick Swayze, the lead actor in Dirty Dancing, received a Golden Globe award nomination for his performance. He also co-wrote and sang the song "She's like the wind" with Stacey Widelitz for the film Grandview U.S.A. This song achieved great popularity and reached high positions on the top ten charts. Furthermore, other artists have covered this song over time. The success of this soundtrack made it one of the best-selling soundtracks in history.
In 2011, Kenny Ortega was announced as the director of a Dirty Dancing remake. However, Lionsgate postponed the reboot in 2012 due to casting reasons. The original release date was set for July 2013 but was removed from their schedule until at least 2014.
After Dirty Dancing, Patrick Swayze faced typecasting and appeared in various unsuccessful films. One of his more successful movies during this time was Road House. His most notable achievement came in 1990 when he starred alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost. In 1991, he co-starred with Keanu Reeves in Point Break and earned the title of sexiest man alive from People magazine. Unfortunately, while filming Letters from a Killer near Lone, California in 1998, Swayze suffered multiple injuries including broken legs and detached shoulder tendons after falling from a horse and colliding with a tree. Filming had to be halted for two months before eventually airing the movie in 1999.
In 2001, he starred in the iconic film Donnie Darko as a famous motivational speaker who is later revealed to be a hidden pedophile. Later, in 2004, he played the character of Allan Quartermain in King's Solomans Mines.
Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe), a 17-year-old farmhand from rural New York State, holds a strong ambition to become a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League. Despite expressing his dreams to his father, they are met with disapproval. However, it is only when his brother, Kelly Youngblood, convinces their father to give him an opportunity that Dean receives permission to travel to Canada and try out for the Hamilton Mustangs.
During the try-outs, Youngblood showcases his skills that earned him 92 goals in the New York League. However, he also reveals a lack of physical toughness, which is highly valued in Canadian junior hockey. Carl Racki, another player, seizes this perceived weakness and confronts Youngblood in a fight. This encounter teaches Youngblood a valuable lesson that being flashy and relying solely on athletic ability is not sufficient to succeed in this league. Despite being knocked down by Racki with a single punch, the coach decides to choose Youngblood for a position on the team.
During a hazing ritual, the Mustangs players hold Youngblood down while Captain Derek Sutton shaves his testicles. Right after this, Youngblood meets Coach's daughter Jessie and they feel an early attraction. He solidifies his bond with the team by underage drinking at the local bar and having two teammates, including the Quebecois goalie played by Keanu Reeves, watch as he is seduced by his new landlady Miss McGill.
Youngblood is driven to retreat to his family's farm after his mentor and teammate, Derek Sutton, is brutally injured by Racki from the rival Thunder Bay Bombers. This decision stems from a mix of fear, sadness, and disgust. However, Youngblood's older brother Kelly delivers an inspiring pep-talk that highlights the importance of perseverance and self-empowerment. This motivates Youngblood to focus on improving his fighting skills and survival strategies on the ice. He is determined to overcome the killer instinct that has been holding him back. Undergoing a transformation, Youngblood rejoins the team with newfound determination to confront Racki in the crucial match of the Memorial Cup playoffs against the Thunder Bay Bombers.
Swayze's first appearance on London's West End stage was on July 27, 2006, where he played Nathan Detroit in the musical Guys and Dolls. He continued in this role until November 25, 2006. Guys and Dolls is a musical based on two Damon Runyon short stories: "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure," with its book written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. The production also included elements from other Runyon stories, particularly "Pick the Winner." When it premiered on Broadway in 1950, Guys and Dolls had a successful run of 1200 performances and won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical.
Guys and Dolls, a musical that has been revived multiple times on Broadway and in London, was also made into a film in 1955. The film featured Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, and Vivian Blaine. In recognition of its excellence, the musical was honored with the prestigious 1951 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. However, this award was later rescinded by the Trustees of Columbia University because writer Abe Burrows had involvement with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Due to this controversy, no Pulitzer for Drama was given that year. Before working on Guys and Dolls, Burrows had also contributed to other productions like Good Time Charley and Chicago.
Patrick Swayze played the role of Cash, the lead vocalist of the country music band Dog, in the sequel to Fox and the Bound. Additionally, he had a part in the 2007 comedy film Christmas in Wonderland. Directed by James Orr, this movie stars Patrick Swayze alongside Matthew Knight, Preston Lacy, Chris Kattan, Tim Curry, and Carmen Electra. The plot revolves around three children who relocate from Los Angeles to Edmonton, Alberta with their father. While shopping for Christmas presents, they unintentionally stumble upon a gang of counterfeiters.
The film Christmas in Wonderland premiered in Canada in 2007 and was later shown on television in the United States in 2008 as part of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas programming. It was primarily filmed at West Edmonton Mall. Before it came out, residents of Edmonton noticed that the mall still had Christmas decorations up after the holiday season. In Powder Blue, Swayze played an older rock star and appeared alongside his brother Don, which was their first time working together.
Patrick Swayze stars as the unscrupulous owner of a strip club where Jessica Biel's character works as a dancer. Biel's character, named Rose-Johnny, is a single mother who also has a young son in a coma. Eddie Redmayne plays a young mortician who falls in love with Rose-Johnny. Kris Kristofferson portrays the leader of a criminal organization, who tries to dissuade his former employee (Ray Liotta) from seeking revenge on his colleagues. It is later revealed that Liotta's character is Rose-Johnny's father. Forest Whitaker, who is also a producer of the movie, plays a suicidal ex-priest.
Alejandro Romero portrays a transvestite prostitute who forms an unexpected emotional connection with the priest. Swayze acted in the A&E FBI series The Beast, which was filmed in Chicago and featured him as FBI agent Charles Barker. Additionally, Swayze had a pilot certification with an instrument rating and gained attention on June 1, 2000 when he flew his twin-engine cassia aircraft from Van Ivoys, California to Los Vegas accompanied by his dogs. During the flight, his plane encountered pressurization issues, leading Swayze to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road within a housing complex located in Prescott valley.
Patrick Swayze's father died from a heart attack when he was 57 years old in 1982, which led to his heavy drinking. In 1989, he acknowledged experiencing a split personality but hesitated to investigate it due to the fear of finding nothing. Consequently, he turned to Buddhism for therapy and also showed interest in scientology and transcendental meditation as ways to nurture himself. However, tragedy struck again in 1994 when his sister committed suicide by overdosing on drugs, prompting Swayze to seek assistance for his alcohol addiction.
After initially recovering, he decided to temporarily step away from the entertainment industry and withdraw to his ranches in California, Las Vegas, and New Mexico. During this period, his primary attention was given to breeding Arabian horses, including a remarkable stallion named Tammen. In January 2008, towards the end of that month, Swayze was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and received treatment at Stanford University Medical Center. Doctors also held hope for an experimental drug called vatalanib which aimed to stop the tumor's blood supply.
According to a Reuters article on March 5, 2008, it was reported that Swayze's disease was under control and he was responding well to treatment. However, in May of the same year, tabloids announced that Swayze had to undergo surgery to remove part of his stomach due to the spread of cancer. During this time, he also updated his will to transfer his property to his wife. Despite these challenges, Swayze remained in good health and even made his first public appearance since being diagnosed at a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game. As part of his cancer treatment in 2008, Swayze received cyberknife radio therapy.
Swayze appeared on ABC, NBC, and CBS during the simulcast of Stand Up to Cancer in September 2008. In his appearances, he urged the public to donate for the cause. Addressing rumors from tabloids about his cancer spreading to his liver in late 2008, Swayze denied their validity. He played the lead role in the A&E series, The Beast, which premiered on January 15, 2009. However, due to a decline in his health, he was unable to promote the series and it was ultimately canceled on June 15, 2009. It wasn't until after its cancellation that he finally acknowledged having a small presence of cancer in his liver.
Swayze was admitted to the hospital on January 9, 2009, as a result of pneumonia caused by complications from chemotherapy for his cancer. He was released on January 16 and returned home with his wife to recuperate. Regrettably, on April 19, 2009, medical professionals informed him that the cancer had once again spread to his liver. Swayze attributed this recurrence to his persistent habit of chain smoking. Tragically, he succumbed at the age of 57 on September 14, 2009, surrounded by his family - just 20 months after receiving the diagnosis. Following his passing, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over his ranch in New Mexico.
Patrick Swayze: A Versatile Actor and Icon. (2016, Sep 13). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/life-of-patrick-swayze-essay
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