Patrick Swayze
More sad news came to the entertainment community and the world at large Sunday as it was learned that Patrick Swayze had died after his two year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Swayze’s career was not as prolific as it might seem. However, many of his films are instantly recognizable to this day even after many years have passed, and even to those who are too young to have grown up watching his films. He brought to his roles the kind of effortless charm that many covet and that cannot be faked.
Swayze’s breakout role was his appearance in Francis Ford Coppola's film The Outsiders. A film which in retrospect has to be one of the more impressive ensembles created in the past three decades.
Next came a typically 80s film called Red Dawn, which was also a huge hit at the time and further propelled him to stardom. The film also features Jennifer Grey who would be reunited with Swayze a few years later in one of his most memorable roles.
Next up was one of the most underrated and one of the better sports movies ever made – Youngblood. Here Swayze played mentor and sidekick to the lead Rob Lowe and did so exceptionally well.
Swayze was also the absolutely perfect fit to play Orry Main, the fallen hero who we all want to get the girl in the end, in the second mini-series adaption of John Jakes's sprawling North and South saga in North and South, Book II.
Then came Dirty Dancing, which even if you hate to admit it is one of the best unabashedly romantic films of all time, and definitely ahead of the game in the 1980s. The pairing of Swayze and Grey combined with the soundtrack made for an unbeatable combination. Yes, the film itself is over-cited, and its songs overplayed, but think back to when you first saw it and you're sure to agree. A lot of the dancing was also shot in medium two shots where you could see it was actually them dancing, and not doubles, and doing so impressively as well. Those familiar with Swayze's upbringing know his mother was a choreographer and clearly he acquired some of her talents.
His next two roles in Steel Dawn and Road House reestablished him as a viable action film star and cemented his versatility.
In 1990 came his other iconic role in Ghost. He and Demi Moore at the potter's wheel has now become one of the most famous and parodied scenes of all time which just goes to show that it worked. The film also landed him an appearance as guest host on Saturday Night Live which provided one of the funniest skits the show ever produced in which he and Chris Farley were competing for a job as Chippendales dancers.
Then in 1990 came Point Break his last big box office success. After that came disparate projects from family fare like Tall Tale, Three Wishes and Father Hood to edgier films like Too Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar; Forever Lulu and the cult hit Donnie Darko.
Recently, Swayze began shooting a TV series, Beast, for A&E. Swayze fought and survived much longer than the doctors said he would. He said to Barbara Walters in his last televised interview that he would "keep my heart and my soul and my spirit open to miracles." So there was reason to be hopeful that it would pass. Alas, it did not and we are left with the memories of the momentary cinematic miracles which he provided us.
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