Patrick Wayne Swayze, (born 18 August 1952), is a dancer, actor and singer, memorable for his roles in the films Dirty Dancing (1987), “Roadhouse", Ghost (1990), Black Dog (1998), and Donnie Darko (2001). He also famous for the North and South miniseries.
The son of Jessie Wayne Swayze and choreographer Patsy Yvonne Helen Karnes, he was born in Houston, Texas, United States. He formally trained at the Harkness and Joffrey Ballet Schools in New York City. His first professional appearance was as a dancer for Disney on Parade, then in the Broadway production of Grease, before his debut film role as Ace in Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979). He also appeared in the M*A*S*H episode Blood Brothers.
Patrick Swayze has received Golden Globe Award nominations for his roles in Dirty Dancing, Ghost and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995). Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), a quasi-sequel to Dirty Dancing, had Swayze cast as a dance instructor, essentialy a cameo role.
He is married to actress Lisa Niemi. His brother Don Swayze is also an actor.
He is also known for his spirituality, and is reportedly a Scientologist.
Patrick Swayze has also bred Arabian horses. His best-known horse was the late Tammen, a chestnut Arabian stallion.
Slang:A “Patrick Swayze” or “PS” for short is known in the southern states as a “Ghost fart". This is derived from Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg’s movie Ghost.
Selected Filmography
2005 Icon Jason - Role: Monk (Post-production)
2004 Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Role: Dance class instructor
2003 11:14, Role: Frank
2001 Donnie Darko, Role: Jim Cunningham
1995 To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Role: Vida Boheme
1993 Father Hood, Role: Jack Charles
1991 Point Break, Role: Bohdi
1990 Ghost, Role: Sam Wheat
1989 Next of Kin, Role: Truman Gates
1989 Road House, Role: Dalton
1988 Tiger Warsaw, Role: Chuck “Tiger” Warsaw
1987 Dirty Dancing, Role: Johnny Castle
1987 Steel Dawn, Role: Nomad
1986 Youngblood, Role: Derek Sutton
1984 Red Dawn, Role: Jed Eckert
1984 Grandview, U.S.A., Role: Ernie “Slam” Webster
1983 Uncommon Valor, Role: Kevin Scott
1983 The Outsiders, Role: Darrel “Darry” Curtis