Patrick Swayze biography, personal life, wife, age and cause of death

Patrick Swayze Biography

Patrick Swayze's personality, talent, and charisma continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The versatile actor who gave us "Ghost," the graceful dancer we remember from "Dirty Dancing," and a talented songwriter who performed in numerous beloved Hollywood films. A nominee for Golden Globe and Saturn Awards. He died in September 2009 after a courageous 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Childhood and Youth

The Swayze family named their second child, born in the summer of 1952 in Houston, Patrick. Patrick's older sister was Vicky Lynn, and after him, two more boys, Don and Sean Kyle, were born. Later, Jesse Wayne and Patsy Swayze adopted a girl named Bambi.

Patrick Swayze with his parents, older sister, and brother Donny

The family had British, Irish, and Apache ancestry. In an interview, Patrick revealed that his father worked as a foreman at the world's largest ranch, the King Ranch, where he'd once been a cowboy:

He introduced me to this life from a very young age. My father was a truly harmonious man, very down-to-earth. He was one of those people who just radiated love. He was kind and gentle by nature, but cross him and you'd better run. His tone would change sharply.

Patrick explained that his father taught him values that might seem old-fashioned today: honesty and putting genuine emotion into his work. Patrick lived by the principles his father instilled in him during his early childhood. He later channeled his father's spirit on screen when he played Allan Quatermain in "King Solomon's Mines." His father became a design engineer to realize many of his ideas for improving life on the ranch.

According to Patrick, his legendary choreographer mother gave him an inner intensity, passion, and belief that everything could be expressed through art. His drive and desire to always be the best came from his mother—traits that would later lead him down a dangerous path. Nevertheless, Swayze believed his parents made an amazing couple. Under his mother's guidance, Patrick was the child who embraced choreography and music from an early age—especially since Patsy ran her own ballet school.

The boy was the most gifted student and excelled academically, but his classmates dubbed him "mama's boy." Gentle and obedient, little Patrick would often run to Patsy in tears, complaining that the boys were picking on him again. His mother decided he needed to learn to stand up for himself and enrolled him in a martial arts school. After just six months of training, Patrick was completely transformed. He earned respect because he wouldn't let anyone push him around anymore.

1978. Inside Patsy Swayze's dance studio

He graduated with honors, then headed to New York to perfect his ballet technique. After completing programs at two prestigious ballet schools—Harkness and Joffrey—Swayze joined the renowned Elliot Feld Dance Company. Audiences immediately took notice of the graceful, handsome dancer when he appeared in "Grease" on Broadway. The renowned Mikhail Baryshnikov, who performed on the same stage with Patrick, recognized the talent of the leading young dancer.

In his youth, Patrick Swayze was professionally engaged in ballet

No one knew how much pain Swayze was enduring during performances until doctors demanded immediate surgery and banned him from ballet—warning he'd become disabled if he continued. His professional ballet career came to an abrupt end because of knee injuries he'd suffered playing football as a kid. His mother helped him through the devastating blow by suggesting he try acting. So he threw himself into studying acting.

Acting Career

Swayze was nearly thirty when he, a former dancer, debuted in "Skatetown, U.S.A." Disco roller-skating was the hottest trend. Patrick, playing Ace Johnson, quickly became a teenage idol. But he wasn't planning to stay typecast.

First role of Patrick Swayze (Skatetown)

When he had the opportunity to work in Francis Ford Coppola's crime drama "The Outsiders," he gladly accepted. Alongside him, Coppola cast complete unknowns Tom Cruise and Matt Dillon. Patrick then landed the lead role of Jed Eckert in the anti-Soviet film "Red Dawn" (1984).

The actor found fame starring in the miniseries "North and South" (1985). He was quickly cast as lead Johnny Castle in Emile Ardolino's romance "Dirty Dancing." Here, Swayze's talents as both ballet dancer and dramatic actor truly shined.

A shot from the TV series North and South

Together with his co-star, Jennifer Grey, Patrick was nominated for a Golden Globe. The film earned over $170 million in its first year alone. Grey later remembered how fearless the actor was, doing all his own stunts:

"Patrick had a rare combination of raw masculinity and amazing sensitivity. He was beautiful and strong, a true cowboy with a tender heart," Jennifer said.

The film's success opened doors, with Swayze taking on new projects every year. In the sci-fi film "Steel Dawn," he played the nomad Nomad; in the drama "Tiger Warsaw," he portrayed former drug addict Chuck Warsaw; in the thriller "Road House," he was the legendary bouncer James Dalton; and in "Next of Kin," he played police officer Truman Gates. The '80s proved golden for his career, with Patrick's restless energy driving him forward.

The Time of My Life - Dirty Dancing

The '90s delivered what may be his most iconic role – Sam Wheat in Jerry Zucker's dramatic film "Ghost." Paired with Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, Swayze created an unforgettable love story on screen.

The actor confessed the story moved him to tears multiple times just reading the script. Whoopi won an Oscar for her supporting role, crediting Patrick's on-set inspiration for her success.

Ghost – Unchained Melody

Swayze then dove headfirst into playing Bodhi in Kathryn Bigelow's thriller "Point Break." In the film, he played a surfer and bank robber pursued by an ambitious FBI agent, brilliantly played by Keanu Reeves. While the film didn't match "Ghost's" box office numbers, audiences never forgot the free-spirited, fearless Bodhi who chose to ride his perfect wave rather than face justice.

Throughout the '90s, Patrick landed exclusively leading roles, bringing depth to both heroes and villains. Even his most notorious villains weren't one-dimensional – his natural charm and talent made sure of that.

Swayze did his own stunts in nearly every film, sometimes paying a steep price for his dedication. One script called for him to ride bareback through dense woods – no saddle, no bridle. True to form, Patrick insisted on doing it himself. But when the horse suddenly bolted from the clearing straight into a massive tree, he hit the ground hard – so hard he temporarily lost feeling in his legs.

A lost finger and dislocated shoulder seemed "minor" next to the spinal injury that required months of grueling treatment and rehab. The moment he could walk again, he was right back in the saddle:

There are little devils inside me. If I try to suppress them, they'll kill me, so I have to let them out from time to time. That's why I skydive and break in horses.

He bought a ranch in Northern California where he bred horses and competed in races. He even raced in the United Arab Emirates, becoming the only American to complete a grueling four-hour desert endurance race. His Arab competitors saw him as a hero just for surviving the brutal course – never mind that he came in thirty-fifth.

The 2000s didn't offer the same caliber of roles, but even a brief cameo as a dance instructor in "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" netted Swayze a cool $5 million.

In 2004, a sequel to Dirty Dancing was released

Fans loved watching him play a fearless cowboy in "King Solomon's Mines," then pivot to the completely different role of lawyer Richard Pressburger in Joshua Sinclair's biographical drama "Jump!" He also played a comedic role as Lance in Nigel Cole's crime film "Keeping Mum."

A shot from the film King Solomon's Mines

Patrick Swayze's Personal Life

The love of Patrick Swayze's life was Lisa Niemi, whom he first saw at his mother's dance school. The first thing 18-year-old Patrick did upon seeing the beautiful 14-year-old girl was pinch her. He immediately received a sharp slap.

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi in their youth

What struck him was that unlike other girls, she seemed to almost ignore him—or so he thought at the time. She was afraid to admit even to herself that she'd fallen for the charming young man almost at first sight, so she played it cool.

Lisa was different from the girls I was used to. If I had started showing off and pretending to be Casanova, she would have just walked away. My wife is the smartest woman I've ever met. It was after meeting her that I realized how incredibly attractive smart women are.

Patrick admitted that without his wife, some of his problems could've led him astray. At one point, fame and crowds of adoring fans went to his head, but his wife's grounding influence kept him from developing "star" syndrome. Despite making Lisa jealous by flirting with his co-stars, Patrick remained a faithful husband.

Despite the fame, Patrick Swayze was a loyal husband

The one thing that saddened the actor was not having children. After suffering two miscarriages, his wife couldn't have children.

When Swayze learned about his devastating diagnosis, he decided to marry Lisa all over again, just like they did in 1975. He arrived at the ceremony on a white horse, trying to impress his wife.

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi's Dance (1994)

According to close friends, Patrick always said that Lisa was the most beautiful woman in the world, his best friend, and most loyal partner. Shortly before his death, in a major interview with renowned TV host Barbara Walters, the actor admitted that without Lisa, his life would've been incomplete.

They were together until the last moment

Final Years and Death

This unique actor lived a life defined by risk-taking and conquering challenges. Rally racing, skydiving, piloting aircraft, and horseback riding through the desert. Swayze was determined to prove—to himself and the world—that he could achieve anything he set his mind to.

Patrick's freedom-loving nature knew no barriers

He brought that same unwavering confidence to the devastating diagnosis doctors delivered in March 2008: inoperable stage four pancreatic cancer. He joked that he'd definitely outlive cancer until they found a cure—and kept right on making movies. His wife, a licensed pilot, personally flew him to treatment.

Lisa took Patrick to the hospital by plane

His final role cast him as undercover FBI agent Charles Barker in the drama series "The Beast." The actor often put in twelve-hour days, refusing anyone's pity. He wanted audiences to see him at full strength, just like always. Patrick refused painkillers—their side effects clouded his thinking and hurt his performance.

In his final interview, the actor admitted the on-set pain fueled an "inner rage." During five months of filming, Swayze missed just one day—though it took him two to three hours each morning to summon the strength to get to set.

Patrick Swayze's last role ('The Beast')

Weekends meant trips to a California hospital for aggressive chemo treatments. Swayze also put his faith in cutting-edge radiosurgery and experimental drug treatments. For a time, his condition actually improved—news Patrick eagerly shared with fans. But January 2009 brought hospitalization for pneumonia, and months later, doctors found the cancer had spread to his liver.

Patrick Swayze in the last year of his life

As Swayze raced to complete his memoir with his wife, reckless journalists at a Florida radio station tweeted news of his death. Patrick was shocked to discover Wikipedia had already posted his death date: May 20. His rep, Annett Wolf, quickly issued a statement shooting down the rumors, confirming the actor was "alive, feeling well, enjoying his life, and continuing his treatment."

To silence the health rumors, Swayze sat for a TV interview where he opened up about battling the disease while still hoping for a miracle. But he also made clear he wouldn't cling to life at any cost just to survive.

Am I dying? Have I given up? Am I on my deathbed? Am I saying goodbye? No way!—Patrick stated.—I continue to dream of the future, of a further long and healthy life, unclouded by the shadow of cancer.

Swayze couldn't beat the disease. He died on September 14, 2009, in Los Angeles. Mikhail Baryshnikov helped cover funeral and cremation costs. The actor's ashes were scattered at his beloved ranch in New Mexico.

Memory and Legacy

On October 5, 2009, Sony Pictures Studios unveiled a memorial to Patrick Swayze. The statue takes the form of a white horse, the actor's favorite animal. Lisa Swayze found love again with jeweler Albert DePrisco in 2014. In 2019, she released a book titled "Worth Fighting For," where she opened up about Patrick's final two years.

In 2017, Swayze's family criticized Lisa's decision to auction off all of Patrick's personal belongings—everything from documents and childhood toys to keys and wallets—donating part of the proceeds to a cancer foundation. She'd previously refused to sell Patrick's ranch to his family, who wanted to turn it into a museum. Reports claimed Lisa evicted Patrick's brother and niece from the ranch, despite their help caring for the ailing actor in his final year and maintaining the property afterward.

The actor's driver's license also went under the hammer

Close friend Charlotte Stevens told journalists that during Patrick's final month, he often called her at night to complain about Lisa. According to Charlotte, Lisa was physically abusive and deliberately cut Patrick off from his loved ones. Charlotte stayed quiet for years but couldn't hold back when Lisa remarried and started talking about her "touching love and support." We can't verify the truth of these claims.

Don Swayze, Patrick's brother, also became an actor

In 2019, the documentary "I Am Patrick Swayze" was released, where his family, friends, and colleagues remembered one of the most beloved actors of our time.

Patrick Swayze: latest news and articles

The film `Dirty Dancing` was added to the U.S. National Registry for its cultural significance

19 Dec 2024

Photos: Patrick Swayze