Patrick Swayze

Began his career as a dancer appearing in Disneyland's parades as Prince Charming from Cinderella . One of the many Cinderellas he danced with was Michelle Pfeiffer.

Began his career as a dancer appearing in Disneyland's parades as Prince Charming from Cinderella (1950). One of the many Cinderellas he danced with was Michelle Pfeiffer.

Graduated from S.P. Waltrip High School in Houston, Texas, in 1971. Other graduates from this high school include Shelley Duvall and wrestler Mark Calaway (aka The Undertaker).

Patrick's father, Jesse Wayne Swayze, was a chemical plant-engineer in Houston, Texas. Besides sharing the middle name "Wayne," Jesse and Patrick both died at the same age (57 years): Jesse suffered a fatal heart attack in 1982; Patrick's life was taken by cancer in 2009.

Patrick's father, Jesse Wayne Swayze, was a chemical plant-engineer in Houston, Texas. Besides sharing the middle name "Wayne," Jesse and Patrick both died at the same age (57 years): Jesse suffered a fatal heart attack in 1982; Patrick's life was taken by cancer in 2009.

Was reportedly offered $6,000,000 to reprise his role of Johnny Castle in a sequel to Dirty Dancing but turned it down.

Called 'King of the Sleepers" for a brief period, after the unexpected success of Dirty Dancing and Ghost .

Was reportedly offered $6,000,000 to reprise his role of Johnny Castle in a sequel to Dirty Dancing (1987) but turned it down.

Called 'King of the Sleepers" for a brief period, after the unexpected success of Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990).

Appeared in Toto's video "Rosanna", as a dancer in a red letterman's jacket, alongside his Dirty Dancing (1987) co-star, Cynthia Rhodes.

Immortalized in the song "(Let's Have) A Patrick Swayze Christmas" from the "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" .

Immortalized in the song "(Let's Have) A Patrick Swayze Christmas" from the "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (1988).

Originally cast in Kurt Russell's role in Tango & Cash , but pulled out to make Road House .

Originally cast in Kurt Russell's role in Tango & Cash (1989), but pulled out to make Road House (1989).

Was approached to star in Predator 2 but was unable to commit due to scheduling conflicts. Danny Glover was cast instead.

Starting in the early 1990s (shortly after the box-office success of his movie Ghost (1990)), hip-hop lyrics often included his name or the phrase "I'm Swayze" as a reference to or replacement for the earlier slang, "I'm ghost", meaning "I'm leaving/out of here/gone, etc." The 'Notorious B.I.G.' was one artist who was especially fond of including this phrase in his songs. Swayze's appearance in the video for Ja Rule's "Murder Reigns" was also a reference to his interesting place in hip-hop culture.

Was approached to star in Predator 2 (1990) but was unable to commit due to scheduling conflicts. Danny Glover was cast instead.

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world.

People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.

His sister, Vicky Swayze, committed suicide in 1994.

While visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1995, he stayed at the world-famous Copacabana Palace Hotel.

Stayed at the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs while filming Tall Tale . His picture and autograph hang in the main lobby.

Stayed at the historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, while filming Tall Tale (1995). His picture and autograph hang in the main lobby.

Broke his leg when he fell off a horse while filming Letters from a Killer .

He broke both legs while filming Letters from a Killer (1998).

Broke his leg when he fell off a horse while filming Letters from a Killer (1998). [9 May 1997]

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.

He was flying solo in his twin-engine Cessna from California to Las Vegas when he developed a mechanical problem and decided to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road near a housing complex in the small community of Prescott Valley in northern Arizona. There were no injuries. Fire department and sheriff's department officials said the plane had a damaged wing and that when they arrived on the scene, they could find no one. It later emerged that Patrick had hitched a ride from a passing vehicle and was taken to a nearby house, where he telephoned authorities.

He was flying solo in his twin-engine Cessna from California to Las Vegas when he developed a mechanical problem and decided to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road near a housing complex in the small community of Prescott Valley in northern Arizona. There were no injuries. Fire department and sheriff's department officials said the plane had a damaged wing and that when they arrived on the scene, they could find no one. It later emerged that Patrick had hitched a ride from a passing vehicle and was taken to a nearby house, where he telephoned authorities. [2000]

Was considered for the role of Howard Saint in The Punisher .

Was considered for the role of Howard Saint in The Punisher (2004).

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008 after falling ill in the previous month.

In an interview with Barbara Walters in January 2009, Swayze acknowledged that his history as a recovering alcoholic and heavy cigarette smoker may have contributed to his illness.

Hospitalized with pneumonia in January 2009.

Hospitalized for a week with internal bleeding in August 2009.