Patrick Swayze, who seamlessly blended sensitivity and brawn in roles as diverse as a dance instructor in Dirty Dancing and a surfing bank robber in Point Break, has died after playing a role that demanded more of his courage and determination than any other: cancer patient.
The 57-year-old star of Ghost and The Outsiders, who was nominated three times for an acting Golden Globe, endured a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Swayze's publicist said he died Monday with family at his side, according to the Associated Press.
Look back at Swayze's life in pictures
He fought until the end, even performing grueling stunts while filming his A&E drama series, The Beast. Co-star Travis Fimmel said in January that the strain of fighting the disease rarely showed during filming.
"You can hardly tell with the guy," he told TVGuide.com. "He's such a man. The sickest thing about him on set is probably his jokes."
Watch full episodes of The Beast
Swayze's mother, the head of the Houston Jazz Ballet Company, taught him dance at a young age. His love of ballet exposed ....read more
Synopsis: An FBI agent goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of crazed surfers who rob banks - while disguised as presidents - to support their free-spirited lifestyle in this action-packed crime drama. With Gary Busey. watch
POINT BREAKFree | Video Detective
Length: 01:54
Posted: 3/12/2008
A young FBI recruit infiltrates a gang of surfing Southern Californian bank robbers. Idiotic story somewhat redeemed by exciting action scenes! watch
