Patrick Swayze Dies at 57 - Patrick Swayze

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Tragedy has struck Hollywood. Patrick Swayze has died after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57. Swayze's publicist Annett Wolf says the 57-year-old Dirty Dancing actor died Monday with family at his side.

"Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," said a statement released Monday evening by his publicist. No other details were given.

SEE PHOTOS OF PATRICK SWAYZE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS Swayze was first diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in January 2008. He came forward about his illness last spring, but continued working on his A&E TV series, The Beast while he underwent treatments.

However, due to a prolonged decline in health, Swayze was unable to promote the series and the show was eventually canceled. In an ABC interview in January, Swayze said it "seemed likely" he would live for two more years.

According to friends and family members, Swayze knew his days were numbered. "Patrick knew it was coming because he was suffering increased weakness," said a source close to the family.

"At times, he was so weak that he could barely walk without feeling faint. Sometimes he feels out of breath and has to sit down."

Swayze shot to international fame after he starred in Dirty Dancing back in 1987. He followed Dirty Dancing with two other projects that capitalized on his sex appeal: Road House and Next of Kin, both released in 1989. He then won over audiences with his heartfelt performance in the 1990 film Ghost.

Swayze was working on a personal memoir with his wife Lisa Niemi that he sadly didn't get to finish.

Patrick said of his memoir, "With everything I've been fortunate enough to do in my life, and covering such a wide range of diverse subject matters, I'm told that my story has been inspirational to people.

"I will write from my heart about these experiences and, aside from the sheer pleasure of doing it, if people happen to garner inspiration from it, or incentive, or find a new way to love, it would be wonderful."

While we may have lost a great actor today, he will live in through his movies, his family and hopefully his memoir. Rest in peace Patrick, you'll be missed!

UPDATE: At 10:30AM on Tuesday, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor Patrick Swayze and his contribution to the world of entertainment.

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Reader Comments

0:52PM 09/16/09 tonny

you are god blessed while you rest. R.I.P

7:35PM 09/15/09 GabyFranco

R.I.P.

7:28PM 09/15/09 me623

Patrick will always and forever be my Vida Boheme. I loved him in that movie, and i will continue to watch that great movie, maybe he will come back to his wife like he did in ghost, now that was a great movie too.

7:23PM 09/15/09 GabyFranco

Good bye my dear friend!!! Condolences to his family!

11:57AM 09/15/09 gcart9

AFTER HEARING THE NEWS OF PATRIC SWAYZE'S DEATH,MY DAY CAME TO A STANDSTILL,MY UNCLE PASSED A FEW DAYS AGO WITH CANCER,AND SO...MANY OTHER FAMILY MEMEBERS!MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY,AND TO HIS WIFE LISA...HE IS NOT ALONE,HE'S WITH GOD,NO MORE PAIN...OR HURTING ANYMORE!!!HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED,HE INSPIRED ME IN SO...MANY WAYS, TO NOT GIVE UP NO MATER WHAT WE MAY GO THROUGH IN OUR LIVES,TO LIVE EVERY DAY TO THE FULLEST!I ALSO LOVED HIM IN "GHOST"MY FAVORITE BY FAR IS STILL "DIRTY DANCING"HE MADE EVERY JUMP,AND MOVES SEEM SO EASY!LOVE YA,AND MISS YA ALWAYS PATRIC!RIP GENTLE SOUL!

11:23AM 09/15/09 Kevinlisa

He rose to the top with Dirty Dancing but still remained gracious and humble. What a class act. He will be missed.

9:53AM 09/15/09 girly987

Rest in peace you beautiful soul

8:15AM 09/15/09 potu

PLEASE SOMEONE find a cure!!!!

6:27AM 09/15/09 annieseyes2

I would also like to send out my deepest sympathy to Patricks family. To his wife Lisa the love that you 2 shared was more then obvious. How blessed you both were to have found each other. And the rest of Patricks family god bless may you all take comfort in knowing he is at rest now. and his legacy will live on forever in his work

6:23AM 09/15/09 annieseyes2

What a class act Patrick has been his entire career. Not something a lot of actors or actresses can boast. He will be remembered for his galant fight for his life and for his unbelievable talent. I wish some of todays actors would take a chapter from Patricks life. And learn that thier fame and stardoom isnt guarenteed its a gift that they need to cherish and take care of. As Patrick did his entire career. Hollywood has lost its shining star today. how sad we are left with the likes of Kanye .

6:21AM 09/15/09 joannehowell

PATRICK YOU WILL SURELY BE MISSED I LOVED YOUR ACTING AND YOU WERE ONE PERSON I WOULD WATCH YOUR MOVIES OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND STILL CRY WHEN YOU LEAVE BABY IN DIRTY DANCING AND LAUGH WHEN LAUGHTER WAS NEEDED I LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU AND MY CONDOLENSES GOES OUT TO LISA AND YOUR FAMILY YOU TWO WERE GOOD TOGETHER AND I SEEN IT IN THE THE MOVIE STEEL DAWN YOU BOTH WERE GREAT.

6:07AM 09/15/09 cindy1966

I still can't believe he's gone. He was such a leader. My family and I sends their prayers to his family. He will not be forgotten. Rest in peace Patrick

5:30AM 09/15/09 hersexyness

if you wanna see patrick doing comedy, look for his clip he did with Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live, when they were Chippendale Dancers, funny as hell!!!! RIP Patrick

5:26AM 09/15/09 hersexyness

Patrick Swayze, what a great talent you were, the world will mourn your loss, your movies showcased the talent you possess, You fought cancer with such bravery and dignity, and so did your family, cancer is an ugly disease, have lost many people in my family to it, perhaps one day they WILL have a cure for it, You have the heart of a lion, we shared the same birthday, You can rest in peace now, your pain is no more!!!!!

5:25AM 09/15/09 myholly787

God Bless, dear Patrick! You are at home now---and free of your pain....you are missed!

3:13AM 09/15/09 kctong0903

So sad to lose a good actor. I love his film in "Ghost" which is one of my favoriate.

10:30PM 09/14/09 Sophie

wow everyones comments here are so touching.

9:39PM 09/14/09 StarryEyes87

sooo sad! =( RIP. My condolence to his family!=(

8:57PM 09/14/09 vicki2d

For Patrick Swayze Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain When you awaken in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush, Of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die. He did not die

8:44PM 09/14/09 Eboe

So very sad. My condolences and prayers for his family. RIP Patrick, you're not suffering anymore ;(

8:39PM 09/14/09 staci23

its so sad that i cried as soon as a heard but he put up a good fight, and in the end he didnt lose the battle hes in heaven in no pain now watching over his family and friends.I have watched all of his movies and have followed his story since i found out bout his cancer, it really is a sad day,because the world had lost a great person he seemed liked someone who was very stong and out going and could even touch u through his movies.My heart goes out to his family and loved ones,and patrick will always still be my favorite actor.

8:16PM 09/14/09 lisarice

im so sad for the loss,of patrick swayze,he is my favorite actor and allways will,be Dirty Dancing" he showed everyone how to have the time of there life... my heart goes out to his family,he will allways be in my heart, :( im gonna miss you patrick

8:06PM 09/14/09 lynedoch

I'm so sad to hear of Patrick's passing.why take the good ones and leave the idiot at the awards ceremony. I wont even mention his name on the same page as this decent man.

7:56PM 09/14/09 LouLew

Its so sad...It's awful how quickly it can happen. My cousin recently passed due to cancer as well. He was so talented! God bless his family.

7:51PM 09/14/09 adrianna

i love you parick swayze you were a wonderful human being and when i see ghost i will think of you all the time may you rest in peace and the angels take care of you god bless you and your family.

7:14PM 09/14/09 suepastarr

I love all of his movies, but I'll always remember when he hosted SNL. He'll truely be missed.

7:00PM 09/14/09 AJ1952Chats

That's what took my paternal grandpa--but he was 90. Patrick Swayze is only months older than I am, as we were both born in 1952. Whenever I learn the news of someone dying of cancer, famous or familiar, I'm often reminded of the episode of The Twilight Zone called The Gift. I would highly recommend watching it, if you get the chance, as there's a very important lesson contained in it that's very timely.

6:54PM 09/14/09 ninnabear62

RIP...God Bless him and his family!

6:38PM 09/14/09 rusty

Rest in Peace Patrick... you are well known for your great acting in dirty dancing and the Ghost which is my favorite. Although your not here you will always be in my memories... May God be with you... Rest In Peace again..

6:24PM 09/14/09 lovebug7489d

I cried when I read this news, I know too well what he went through. My wonderful husband TJ Inman of Webster, MA found out he had pancreatic cancer the same time Patrick did. My husband, 54 years old, lived nine month and died 10/01/2009 in my arms. I am reliving his death all over. Rest in peace and God take care of you

6:05PM 09/14/09 nolaRITA

Rest in Peace Patrick. You were a great talent and will be greatly missed. Our warmest wishes and heartfelt condolences go out to the family.

6:03PM 09/14/09 Tameeky

My Condolences to His Friends and Family. He was such a great Actor...Ghost was my Favorite Memory of him.

5:55PM 09/14/09 Sophie

so sad. I met him once. he was so nice.

5:54PM 09/14/09 nana21

so so sad... :(

5:45PM 09/14/09 coastalmom

So sad. At least he had time. My ex husband found out he had lung cancer in the spring and died in August! Too fast! I pray they find a cure for this awful disease!

5:41PM 09/14/09 princess11

So sad!

5:38PM 09/14/09 Scottitude

It's a tragic loss for all of us. Swayze was a remarkable talent, a true triple threat without peer. We'll miss him but his suffereing has finally ended.

5:38PM 09/14/09 andi08

I am saddened to hear of the passing of a wonderful human being. My heart goes out to his wife & family! I had a friend who died of this dreaded disease & have a cousin with pancreatic cancer, who hasn't much longer to live. This dreaded disease is on the rise! I've heard, so, many people say their family member or friend has died of this cancer. We need to find a cure for this & ALL cancers!! Patrick was a fighter. I'm, so, sorry he lost the battle!! God Bless!

5:29PM 09/14/09 shumom23

I am so sorry to hear that Patrick Swayze has died. I loved him as an actor in all of his movies and admired his strength in the last two years as he battld his illness with courage and determination. I send my sincere condolences to his family as they face life without him .May God give them strength. Rest in Peace Patrick

5:25PM 09/14/09 GabyFranco

I feel an immense pain! I appreciated his talent, he was handsome and very good dancer!