Tough guys do dance. And are remarkably tender. That's what Patrick Swayze, dancer/actor in the tradition of Jimmy Cagney, Gene Kelly and John Travolta and inspiration for Taye Diggs and Hugh Jackman, proved with incomparable grace both offscreen and on.
As I wrote in his obituary:
It's hard not to think that the one-time gymnast who vaulted to stardom in 1987's Dirty Dancing had rehearsed his premature exit in the 1990 blockbuster Ghost. As the banker who solves his own murder mystery, he speaks from the dead to his living sweetheart, Demi Moore. Mr. Swayze, impossibly sexy and throbbingly sensitive, tells her: "It's amazing, the love inside. You take it with you."
It's hard to think of another actor who could carry off roles like these. The surprise of Swayze is that he presented himself as a galoot before revealing a character of rare gallantry. "Patrick possessed a depth of nobility," said his Point Break director Kathryn Bigelow."
What qualities did you like about him? Favorite movie? Snatch of dialogue?
For those who would like to leave expressions for his family, here's the link.
I liked everything about Patrick Swayze. I imagine a lot of people will be saying that. I think the word you used, "grace", sums it up best. Mostly, though, when my wife and I think of him we remember a story we read about how he cared for his dog through a lingering, painful illness, sleeping with him in the veterinary hospital. Obviously, many people would do the same thing, but it's a fine thing and it seemed to fit in with the way I always perceived him, on-screen and off.— ccjroberts- There's always the classic, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."
- "Pain don't hurt."— I. M. McLovin
- I worked with Patrick - Buddy, as his friends called him - a few years ago and he was a warm, enthusiastic, insistently positive person. He recognized and appreciated his good fortune and shared his blessings generously. He was a genuinely nice guy. It also bears noting that he was entirely supportive of his wife's creative pursuits, starring in and tirelessly promoting a feature film she directed about dancers, ONE LAST DANCE.— abramorama
- Re "One Last Dance": He personally called me up when it was to be shown at the Philly Film Festival. "I know that this movie isn't the top of your list," he said. "But I'm coming to town with it and baby, I'm available." I told him there were other more pressing titles at the fest. Offhandedly I said, but if you;'re in town, an administrative assistant at the paper has a shrine to you at her desk. Send her an autographed photo. He took her name and personally came to the paper with a photograph and a big kiss for Maureen. He wore his fame like an old sock.— carrierickey
Roadhouse might just be the baddest movie ever made...just when I thought it couldn't get any better, he ripped the dude's throat out with his bare hand at the end! From start to finish, Roadhouse is great. RIP Patrick Swayze...— kjuggs77- I was impressed by his work in "Donnie Darko." It was a risky role, and not a lead, either, but he seemed happy to have the chance to show what he could do, and he did it well.— wwolfe
- RIP Patrick Swayze. Your memories will remain forever. One of my favorite movies that he had done is "Ghost". I will always remember him as a courageous actor as well as very versatile and humble. After a long battle with pancreatic cancer, the actor Patrick Swayze has passed away. He was 57 years of age. Patrick Swayze was diagnosed in 2008 with stage 4 cancer, and it metastasized to his liver. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms, with less than 5% of patients surviving 5 years, most succumbing within 6 months of diagnosis. Swayze leaves behind an intimidating body of work, including smashing successes in blockbuster films, hit TV shows, and even a few highly regarded indie appearances and stage work. He will certainly be sorely missed, and there will be many paycheck loans worth for tributes to Patrick Swayze. (HTML deleted)— AshtonC
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