History of Patrick Swayze in Timeline
Patrick Swayze (1952-2009) was a versatile American actor, singer, songwriter, and dancer. He achieved fame through a range of roles, displaying romantic, tough, and comedic sides in popular films and cult classics. Swayze's notable works include "Dirty Dancing," "Road House," and "Ghost." He earned three Golden Globe nominations and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997, solidifying his place in entertainment history.
1925: Jesse Wayne Swayze's Birth Year
In 1925, Jesse Wayne Swayze (Patrick Swayze's father) was born. He worked as an engineering draftsman.
1927: Patsy Swayze's Birth Year
In 1927, Patsy Karnes (later Patsy Swayze, Patrick Swayze's mother) was born. She was a dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor.
1949: Vickie Swayze's Birth Year
In 1949, Vickie Swayze, Patrick Swayze's older sister, was born.
1958: Don Swayze's Birth Year
In 1958, Don Swayze, Patrick Swayze's younger brother and also an actor, was born.
1962: Sean Swayze's Birth Year
In 1962, Sean Swayze, Patrick Swayze's younger brother, was born.
1966: Bambi Swayze's Birth Year
In 1966, Bambi Swayze, Patrick Swayze's adopted younger sister, was born.
1970: Low Vietnam Draft Lottery Number
In 1970, Patrick Swayze had a low Vietnam draft lottery number of 141, which was called, potentially leading to his draft, though he might have used a knee injury to avoid service.
1970: Meeting Lisa Niemi
In 1970, Patrick Swayze met Lisa Niemi when he was 18 and she was 14, while she was taking dance lessons from his mother.
1972: Moves to New York City
In 1972, Patrick Swayze moved to New York City to complete his formal dance training at the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet schools.
June 12, 1975: Marriage to Lisa Niemi
On June 12, 1975, Patrick Swayze married Lisa Niemi, and they remained married for 34 years until his death.
1975: Broadway's Goodtime Charley
In 1975, Patrick Swayze appeared on Broadway in the production of "Goodtime Charley".
1979: Film Debut
In 1979, Patrick Swayze made his film debut as Ace in "Skatetown, U.S.A."
1981: M*A*S*H Appearance
In 1981, Patrick Swayze appeared in the M*A*S*H episode "Blood Brothers" as Private Sturgis, who is terminally ill with leukemia.
1982: Jesse Wayne Swayze's Death Year
In 1982, Jesse Wayne Swayze (Patrick Swayze's father) passed away.
1983: The Outsiders Film
In 1983, Patrick Swayze appeared in "The Outsiders" as the older brother of C. Thomas Howell and Rob Lowe and also played a Marine Corps trainer in "Uncommon Valor".
1983: The Renegades TV series
In 1983, Patrick Swayze had a brief stint on the short-lived TV series "The Renegades", playing a gang leader named Bandit.
1984: Red Dawn Release
In 1984, Patrick Swayze appeared in the action film "Red Dawn".
1984: "She's Like the Wind" Co-written
In 1984, Patrick Swayze co-wrote the song "She's Like the Wind" with Stacy Widelitz for the film "Grandview, U.S.A.".
1985: North and South TV Miniseries
In 1985, Patrick Swayze achieved major dramatic success in the television miniseries "North and South", set during the American Civil War.
1986: Youngblood Release
In 1986, Patrick Swayze reunited with Rob Lowe in the film "Youngblood".
1987: Dirty Dancing Breakthrough
In 1987, Patrick Swayze had his breakthrough role in the romantic drama film "Dirty Dancing", earning a Golden Globe nomination.
1987: "She's Like the Wind" release
In 1987, Swayze wrote the song "She's Like the Wind" for Dirty Dancing.
1989: Exploration of Belief Systems
In 1989, Patrick Swayze spoke about exploring various belief systems, including Soka Gakkai Buddhism, EST training, therapy, and transcendental meditation, in search of self-understanding.
1989: Road House
In 1989, Patrick Swayze starred in the action film "Road House".
1990: Ghost Golden Globe Nomination
In 1990, Patrick Swayze received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in the supernatural romance film "Ghost".
1990: Ghost Release and Success
In 1990, Patrick Swayze starred in "Ghost" as Sam Wheat, alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. The film became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning Swayze another Golden Globe nomination.
1991: Point Break
In 1991, Patrick Swayze rose to further prominence in the action film "Point Break".
1991: "Sexiest Man Alive" Title
In 1991, Patrick Swayze starred alongside Keanu Reeves in the action hit "Point Break", and People magazine named him the "Sexiest Man Alive."
1994: Vickie Swayze's Death Year
In 1994, Vickie Swayze, Patrick Swayze's older sister, passed away.
1995: To Wong Foo
In 1995, Patrick Swayze appeared in the movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar", starring as one of three drag queens stranded in a small town.
1996: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1996, Patrick Swayze received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contribution to Motion Picture, located at 7018 Hollywood Blvd.
May 1997: Injured Filming Letters from a Killer
In May 1997, Patrick Swayze was injured while filming HBO's "Letters from a Killer" when he fell from a horse, breaking both legs and detaching tendons in his shoulder.
1997: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In 1997, Patrick Swayze received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry.
1998: Letters from a Killer Aired
In 1998, "Letters from a Killer", the movie Patrick Swayze was injured filming, aired.
June 1, 2000: Emergency Landing in Arizona
On June 1, 2000, Patrick Swayze made a precautionary landing in his Cessna 414 on a dirt road in Prescott Valley, Arizona, due to a pressurization problem. The plane's wing struck a light pole.
2000: Co-starred in Forever Lulu
In 2000, Patrick Swayze co-starred in "Forever Lulu", with Melanie Griffith.
2001: Donnie Darko Release
In 2001, Patrick Swayze appeared in the film "Donnie Darko", playing a motivational speaker who is revealed to be a closeted pedophile.
2003: One Last Dance Release
In 2003, Patrick Swayze co-produced and starred in the fictional dance film "One Last Dance" with his wife Lisa Niemi, revolving around a dance production choreographed by Alonzo King. Swayze and Niemi also composed some of the music.
2004: King Solomon's Mines and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
In 2004, Patrick Swayze played Allan Quatermain in "King Solomon's Mines" and had a cameo in the Dirty Dancing prequel "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights".
July 27, 2006: West End Debut
On July 27, 2006, Patrick Swayze made his debut in London's West End in the musical "Guys and Dolls" as Nathan Detroit.
November 25, 2006: End of Guys and Dolls Run
On November 25, 2006, Patrick Swayze concluded his role as Nathan Detroit in the musical "Guys and Dolls" in London's West End.
December 27, 2006: Engine Failure During Flight
On December 27, 2006, Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi experienced a second incident while flying their Cessna 414. They had a loss of power followed by a total failure of their right engine. Niemi successfully landed the plane.
June 2007: Purchase of Beechcraft Super King Air
In June 2007, Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi purchased a Beechcraft Super King Air through their company, Prop Jocks Inc., after selling their Cessna 414.
December 2007: Experiences Stomach Burning
In late December 2007, Patrick Swayze began to experience a burning feeling in his stomach caused by a blockage of his bile ducts.
2007: Christmas in Wonderland
In 2007, Patrick Swayze starred in the film "Christmas in Wonderland".
January 2008: Diagnosed with Cancer
In mid-January 2008, Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer and began treatment at Stanford University Medical Center.
March 5, 2008: Reuters Article Reports on Swayze's Cancer Treatment
On March 5, 2008, a Reuters article indicated that Patrick Swayze was responding well to treatment for pancreatic cancer, despite the diagnosis. His doctor confirmed the diagnosis and insisted he was not close to death, dispelling tabloid rumors.
May 2008: Tabloids Report on Surgery and Will
In May 2008, tabloids reported that Patrick Swayze underwent surgery to remove part of his stomach after the cancer had spread and that he rewrote his will. On May 28, he said he continued to respond well to treatment. He made his first public appearance since his diagnosis at a Lakers game later in May 2008.
June 2008: Swayze Claims Victory Over Cancer
In June 2008, Patrick Swayze reportedly stated that his treatments were effective, and he believed he was winning the battle against cancer.
September 2008: Stand Up to Cancer Appearance
In September 2008, Patrick Swayze appeared on Stand Up to Cancer to appeal for donations, expressing his hope for a cure and identifying himself as an individual living with cancer.
December 2, 2008: Swayze Denies Cancer Spread
On December 2, 2008, Patrick Swayze publicly denied tabloid claims that his cancer had spread to his liver.
2008: Inspiration for "She's Like the Wind"
In a 2008 interview, Patrick Swayze stated that Lisa Niemi was the inspiration for his song "She's Like the Wind" (1987).
January 9, 2009: Hospitalized with Pneumonia
On January 9, 2009, Patrick Swayze was hospitalized due to pneumonia, a complication arising from chemotherapy for his cancer treatment.
January 15, 2009: The Beast Premieres
On January 15, 2009, "The Beast", starring Patrick Swayze as FBI agent Charles Barker, premiered on A&E. Swayze filmed the show while undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.
January 2009: Barbara Walters Interview
In January 2009, during an interview with Barbara Walters, Patrick Swayze admitted to having "a tiny little mass" in his liver but insisted he was "kicking it." He discussed using Chinese herbs in addition to chemotherapy but voiced opposition to unsupported claims made by proponents of alternative therapies.
April 19, 2009: Cancer Metastasis to Liver
On April 19, 2009, doctors informed Patrick Swayze that his cancer had metastasized to his liver again.
September 14, 2009: Patrick Swayze's Death
On September 14, 2009, Patrick Swayze died at the age of 57 after battling pancreatic cancer.
2009: Dirty Dancing's Legacy
As of 2009, "Dirty Dancing", which was released in 1987, had earned over $214 million worldwide, it was the first film to sell one million copies on video.
2009: Death from Cancer
In 2009, Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.
2009: Powder Blue Release
In 2009, Patrick Swayze played an aging rock star in "Powder Blue", co-starring with his younger brother Don in their first film together.
2013: Patsy Swayze's Death Year
In 2013, Patsy Swayze (Patrick Swayze's mother) passed away.
