He was known as the “The Sexiest Man Alive” in 1991. His acting career spanned over three decades, starring in some of the greatest movies of all time.
He was most remembered for his performance in the romantic drama film, Ghost, which made every girl realise what true love means. As we remember his life, love, and career, let us also look back at how Patrick Swayze proved himself as one of the most important people in Hollywood and the most well-loved actors of all time.
Here are the 10 reasons why we will always and forever love Patrick Swayze.
1. He was a dedicated actor.
He earned Golden Globe nominations for the movies, Ghost (1990), which co-starred Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, and comedy film, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995).
Patrick Swayze starred in films from a range of genres, including the drama The Outsiders (1983), the war film Red Dawn (1984), the romantic “coming-of-age” drama Dirty Dancing (1987), the action film Road House (1989), the action crime film Point Break (1991), the action film Black Dog (1998), the supernatural drama film Donnie Darko (2001), and the drama Jump! (2008), as well as in the television serials North and South and The Beast.
2. He studied dance and ballet in high school.
Born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, he was the eldest child of a choreographer and dancer mother, Patsy Yvonne Helen, and an engineering draftsman father, Jesse Wayne.
He developed a love for ballet while still in grade school. Although, he set aside his dancing skills to concentrate on athletics in high school, his love for it never faded and in 1972, he moved to New York City to complete his formal dance training at the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey ballet schools. His first professional appearance was as a dancer. He played “Prince Charming” in “Disney on Parade.”
3. He loved athletics, too.
Throughout high school, he spent his time juggling gymnastics, swimming, and football. After graduation, he was offered both athletic and dance scholarships and went for athletics and enrolled at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas, where he focused on gymnastics.
4. He found true love with his wife, Lisa Niemi.
He met Lisa when she was only 15 years old at his mother’s dance studio in Houston, Texas. They took dance lessons together until they fell in love and got married on June 12, 1975.
“We’re a team. A relationship survives because of keeping the friendship alive and learning how to fall in love over and over again and never taking the other person for granted and seeing things in a new light with new eyes. We’re big believers in, arguments are okay as long as it’s not about your ego, but it’s about a mutual goal””trying to create something special,” he said.
5. He adorned the cover of People magazine as “The Sexiest Man Alive” in 1991.
6. He treated animals as his children.
After Lisa had a miscarriage in 1990, the couple gave up on having children. Instead, they invested their time and love on their ranch full of dogs, horses, and cattle.
7. He remained optimistic despite all his struggles, including when he learned that he had pancreatic cancer.
In March of 2008, he discovered he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but he continued to take on new film and acting roles and starred on The Beast, in which the actor starred as FBI veteran and loose cannon, Charles Barker. This was his last project.
8. He renewed his vows to his wife after learning that he was living on borrowed time.
Two months after hearing the heartbreaking news of his cancer, he renewed his vows with his wife in May 2008. He made it so special that the private ceremony took place at their New Mexico ranch with only family and friends as guests. Patrick rode his favorite stallion as he renewed his vows in a fairy tale-themed ceremony.
9. He fought his battles well and strong.
On September 14, 2009, his struggle with cancer came to an end. He died after over 20 months battling his illness.
10. He was an ‘actor with physical grace.’
The New York Times remembered him as an “actor with physical grace.” His “Dirty Dancing” co-star Jennifer Grey called him a “rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace.” Others remembered ‘his iconic roles, his emotional side, his good-natured personality, or his downright sexiness.’ And to this, his life will always be remembered.
