Patrick Swayze Dies of Pancreatic Cancer at 57

Annett Wolf, Patrick Swayze's publicist, confirmed reports of his passing, nearly one month after his 57^th birthday (August 18^th). Apparently, Patrick Swayze died in his home in Los Angeles, California, with his family surrounding him.

Diagnosed in January 2008, Patrick Swayze fought valiantly against the dreaded pancreatic cancer for nearly two years, supported by his wife, actress Lisa Niemi. Patrick Swayze had undergone aggressive treatments at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. By April 2009, Patrick Swayze's doctors confirmed that the cancer had spread to his liver.

Pancreatic cancer is widely regarded as nearly incurable, so far, and one of the most devastating of all cancers, according to oncology experts. Unlike Patrick Swayze, many pancreatic cancer patients succumb to the disease within a year.

Texas-born Patrick Swayze's most popular roles may have been as summer camp dance instructor Johnny Castle in 1987's Dirty Dancing (opposite Jennifer Grey and Jerry Orbach) and as the dearly departed Sam Wheat in 1990's Ghost (with Whoopie Goldberg and Demi Moore). Patrick Swayze also appeared in such well-known films as City of Joy, Donnie Darko, Father Hood, Ghost, King Solomon's Mines, Next of Kin, North and South, One Last Dance, The Outsiders, Point Break, Red Dawn and Road House.

In 1991, People Magazine named Patrick Swayze as their "Sexiest Man Alive."

Most recently, Patrick Swayze starred in The Beast, an A&E cable television series, portraying an FBI undercover agent. The show, which premiered in January 2009, has since been canceled.

With a background in gymnastics, football, swimming, figure skating and ballet, Patrick Swayze enjoyed horseback riding and caring for his dogs. Jesse Wayne, Patrick Swayze's father, was a rodeo cowboy. Patsy Swayze, his mother, was a choreographer, dancer and owner of the Houston Jazz and Ballet Company.

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi were working on an autobiography of the actor's life, titled The Time of My Life (named after a hit single from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack). The couple had no children.

During the past year, various paparazzi, Twitter users and internet bloggers have buzzed with rumors of the death of Patrick Swayze. Unfortunately, on September 14, 2009, the sad reports proved to be true. Indeed, Patrick Swayze died, leaving family, friends and fans to grieve the loss.

Sources:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com

http://www.cnn.com

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com

http://www.eontarionow.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries

http://www.pastemagazine.com

http://www.postchronicle.com

http://www.reuters.com

http://www.transworldnews.com