Patrick Swayze
|
| Born: |
August 18, 1952
Houston, Texas |
| Occupation: |
dancer, actor, singer and songwriter |
Patrick Wayne Swayze (born August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas) is an American dancer, actor, singer and songwriter, memorable for his roles in the popular films Dirty Dancing (where he wrote and composed the hit song She's Like the Wind) (1987), Ghost (1990), and Point Break (1991).
He also appeared in Red Dawn (1984), Road House (1989), Black Dog (1998), and Donnie Darko (2001). He is also famous for the North and South miniseries.
Patrick Swayze has been married to Lisa Niemi since 1975. The couple has been together since Lisa, at 15, began dance lessons with Patsy Swayze, Patrick's mother.
The son of Jesse Wayne Swayze and choreographer and ballet school owner Patricia Yvonne Helen Karnes, he was born in Houston, Texas. Swayze attended Oak Forest Elementary School, Black Middle School, and Waltrip High School in Houston. Swayze formally trained at the Harkness and Joffrey Ballet Schools in New York City. His first professional appearance was as a dancer for Disney on Parade, then in the Broadway production of Grease, before his debut film role as Ace in Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979). He also appeared in the M*A*S*H episode Blood Brothers. He is currently starring as Nathan Detroit in the London production of Guys and Dolls.
Swayze received Golden Globe Award nominations for his roles in Dirty Dancing, Ghost and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995).
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), a quasi-sequel to Dirty Dancing, had Swayze cast as a dance instructor in a cameo.
His brother, Don Swayze, is also an actor.
Swayze is very spiritual. He is known for his faith in the healing power of crystals. Brought up Roman Catholic, he reportedly has an interest in Buddhism. His favorite colors include blue, teal, burgundy, earthtones and faded black.
Swayze has also bred Arabian horses. His best-known horse was the late Tammen, a chestnut Arabian stallion.
Trailer Park Boys' Julian is sometimes called Patrick Swayze due to the very slight resemblance. In the episode "Conky', Julian resorts to destroying a puppet's head with his gun after the comment.
Selected filmography
| Year |
Movie |
Role |
Other notes |
| 2005 |
Keeping Mum |
Lance |
|
| 2005 |
Icon |
Jason Monk |
Post-production |
| 2004 |
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights |
Dance class instructor |
|
| 2004 |
Dragon Sword |
Garth |
|
| 2003 |
11:14 |
Frank |
|
| 2002 |
Waking Up In Reno |
Roy Kirkendall |
|
| 2001 |
Donnie Darko |
Jim Cunningham |
|
| 1998 |
Letters from a Killer |
Race Darnell |
|
| 1998 |
Black Dog |
Jack Crews |
|
| 1995 |
Three Wishes |
Jack McCloud |
|
| 1995 |
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar |
Vida Boheme |
|
| 1993 |
Father Hood |
Jack Charles |
|
| 1992 |
City of Joy |
Max Lowe |
|
| 1991 |
Point Break |
Bodhi |
|
| 1990 |
Ghost |
Sam Wheat |
|
| 1989 |
Next of Kin |
Truman Gates |
|
| 1989 |
Road House |
Dalton |
|
| 1988 |
Tiger Warsaw |
Chuck "Tiger" Warsaw |
|
| 1987 |
Dirty Dancing |
Johnny Castle |
|
| 1987 |
Steel Dawn |
Nomad |
|
| 1986 |
Youngblood |
Derek Sutton |
|
| 1984 |
Red Dawn |
Jed Eckert |
|
| 1984 |
Grandview, U.S.A. |
Ernie "Slam" Webster |
|
| 1983 |
Uncommon Valor |
Kevin Scott |
|
| 1983 |
The Outsiders |
Darrel "Darry" Curtis |
|
External links
- Patrick Swayze at the Internet Movie Database
- Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club
- Unofficial Patrick Swayze Fan Club – What's your SwayzeQ?
Categories: 1952 births | Actors who have played gay characters | American film actors | American dancers | Ballroom dancers | People from Houston | Living people | M*A*S*H actors | Worst Actor Razzie nominees