Juan Albion
Chicken Sniffer 3rd Class
The girls will be weeping tonight. . .
Only 57
Actor Patrick Swayze, best known for his roles in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost, has died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The Houston-born performer, who studied dance before tackling a career on stage and screen, was 57 years old.
"Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," said a statement released Monday evening in Los Angeles by his publicist, Annett Wolf. No other details were given.
A three-time Golden Globe nominee, Swayze confirmed in March 2008 that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer, after rumours arose that he was seriously ill and had just several weeks to live.
The son of a ballet choreographer and a champion Texas cowboy, Swayze began formal dance training young, later pursuing studies at New York's Harkness school and the Joffrey Ballet School.
Starting out, Swayze moved between television, film and the occasional stage role. Early parts in films like The Outsiders, Red Dawn and Youngblood helped make him a regular face in Hollywood.
Hit big time
The Texan first achieved major success with his starring role in North and South, the 1985 TV miniseries set during the U.S. Civil War.
His silver screen breakthrough came two years later with the low-budget drama Dirty Dancing. Swayze's turn as Johnny Castle, a tough but sensitive dance instructor from the wrong side of the tracks, became one of his most enduring roles.
Originally conceived as a low-budget film, Dirty Dancing became a smash hit that found international success and, eventually spawned a hit stage musical and a film sequel (the critically maligned Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights).
"I'm completely proud of it," Swayze told Australian press recently, referring to the Dirty Dancing legacy.
Only 57
Actor Patrick Swayze, best known for his roles in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost, has died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The Houston-born performer, who studied dance before tackling a career on stage and screen, was 57 years old.
"Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," said a statement released Monday evening in Los Angeles by his publicist, Annett Wolf. No other details were given.
A three-time Golden Globe nominee, Swayze confirmed in March 2008 that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer, after rumours arose that he was seriously ill and had just several weeks to live.
The son of a ballet choreographer and a champion Texas cowboy, Swayze began formal dance training young, later pursuing studies at New York's Harkness school and the Joffrey Ballet School.
Starting out, Swayze moved between television, film and the occasional stage role. Early parts in films like The Outsiders, Red Dawn and Youngblood helped make him a regular face in Hollywood.
Hit big time
The Texan first achieved major success with his starring role in North and South, the 1985 TV miniseries set during the U.S. Civil War.
His silver screen breakthrough came two years later with the low-budget drama Dirty Dancing. Swayze's turn as Johnny Castle, a tough but sensitive dance instructor from the wrong side of the tracks, became one of his most enduring roles.
Originally conceived as a low-budget film, Dirty Dancing became a smash hit that found international success and, eventually spawned a hit stage musical and a film sequel (the critically maligned Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights).
"I'm completely proud of it," Swayze told Australian press recently, referring to the Dirty Dancing legacy.
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