Patrick Swayze: The time of his life

Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze, known for films like Dirty Dancing and Ghost has died at the age of 57, following a two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

  • Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze, known for films like <I>Dirty Dancing</i> and <I>Ghost</i> has died at the age of 57, following a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. (Photo: AP)
    Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze, known for films like Dirty Dancing and Ghost has died at the age of 57, following a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. (Photo: AP)
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  • Swayze began his acting career in 1979, at the age of 27 with the film <I>Skatetown, U.S.A.</i>.
    Swayze began his acting career in 1979, at the age of 27 with the film Skatetown, U.S.A..
  • In the first two years of the 1980s, Swayze mostly did TV shows, including the likes of <I>M*A*S*H</i>. In 1983, he came back to the big screen with an ensemble film called <I>The Outsiders</i>.
    In the first two years of the 1980s, Swayze mostly did TV shows, including the likes of M*A*S*H. In 1983, he came back to the big screen with an ensemble film called The Outsiders.
  • In 1986, Swayze acted in <I>Youngblood</i>.
    In 1986, Swayze acted in Youngblood.
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  • A big break came Swayze's way in 1987, when he acted in <I>Dirty Dancing</i>. The song <I>I've had the time of my life</i> is from this movie and became extremely popular. Swayze got a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. (Photo: AP)
    A big break came Swayze's way in 1987, when he acted in Dirty Dancing. The song I've had the time of my life is from this movie and became extremely popular. Swayze got a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. (Photo: AP)
  • In 1989, Swayze starred opposite Kelly Lynch in <I>Road House</i>. (Photo: AP)
    In 1989, Swayze starred opposite Kelly Lynch in Road House. (Photo: AP)
  • Also in 1989, Swayze acted along with Liam Neeson, Helent Hunt and Ben Stiller in <I>Next of Kin</i>.
    Also in 1989, Swayze acted along with Liam Neeson, Helent Hunt and Ben Stiller in Next of Kin.
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  • Another turning point in Swayze's life came in 1990 when he acted opposite Demi Moore in <I>Ghost</i>. Swayze was nominated for a Golden Globe for this role. (Photo: AP)
    Another turning point in Swayze's life came in 1990 when he acted opposite Demi Moore in Ghost. Swayze was nominated for a Golden Globe for this role. (Photo: AP)
  • In 1992, Swayze acted in the collaborative Indo-American movie <I>City of Joy</i> which was based and shot in Kolkata. He acted alongside Indian stalwarts like Shabana Azmi and Om Puri.
    In 1992, Swayze acted in the collaborative Indo-American movie City of Joy which was based and shot in Kolkata. He acted alongside Indian stalwarts like Shabana Azmi and Om Puri.
  • In 1995, Swayze did something very different from his previous roles, he acted as a woman in <I>To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar</i>. Swayze's last Golden Globe nomination came with this performance. (Photo: AP)
    In 1995, Swayze did something very different from his previous roles, he acted as a woman in To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. Swayze's last Golden Globe nomination came with this performance. (Photo: AP)
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  • By the mid-1990s, the number of films Swayze did had started reducing, with a three-year hiatus in the period between 1995-1998 when he did no movies. In 2000, he acted opposite Melanie Griffith in <I>Forever Lulu</i>.
    By the mid-1990s, the number of films Swayze did had started reducing, with a three-year hiatus in the period between 1995-1998 when he did no movies. In 2000, he acted opposite Melanie Griffith in Forever Lulu.
  • In 2001, Swayze acted along with Forest Whittaker in <I>Green Dragon</i>.
    In 2001, Swayze acted along with Forest Whittaker in Green Dragon.
  • In 2001, Swayze played a supporting role in the dark suburban drama, <I>Donnie Darko</i>.
    In 2001, Swayze played a supporting role in the dark suburban drama, Donnie Darko.
  • In 2002, Swayze was one of the principle cast members of the multistarrer <I>Waking Up in Reno</i>. His co-actors included Billy Bob Thornton, Natasha Richardson and Charlize Theron.
    In 2002, Swayze was one of the principle cast members of the multistarrer Waking Up in Reno. His co-actors included Billy Bob Thornton, Natasha Richardson and Charlize Theron.
  • Just before his death, Swayze had gone back to television and was acting in a show called <I>The Beast</i>. (Photo: AP)
    Just before his death, Swayze had gone back to television and was acting in a show called The Beast. (Photo: AP)