Patrick Swayze Loses Battle with Cancer at 57

Patrick Swayze, the hunky dancer-turned-actor who made girls and their moms yearn to be 'Baby' has died from pancreatic cancer. He was 57.

Swayze's publicist confirmed his passing via a statement released Monday evening. In May of 2009, there were erroneous reports that Swayze had died, but the rumors were quickly squashed by the Swayze camp. Swayze was diagnosed in 2008, but continued to work, most recently on the A&E drama series, "The Beast." Despite 1.3 million viewers, A&E cancelled the show and Swayze went on to line up other projects, including "Powder Blue," starring Jessica Biel and Forest Whitaker.

Swayze first gained international stardom in the 1987 blockbuster, "Dirty Dancing," co-starring Jennifer Grey. Swayze played sexy dance instructor, Johnny Castle to Grey's naïve, Baby. Swayze's line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner," became one of films most quotable quotes and the American Film Institute named it as the 98^th most memorable movie quote. Though the movie was poorly received by critics, audiences couldn't get enough and went to see it in the theater multiple times. Swayze even scored a Top 10 Billboard Hit from the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack, "She's Like the Wind," a tune penned by Swayze about his wife, Lisa Niemi.

Swayze went on to star in other moderately successful flicks such as "Road House," "Point Break," and "Next of Kin." However, it was his turn in the 1990 smash, "Ghost" that gave audiences a whole new reason to swoon over Swayze. Swayze burned up the screen with co-star, Demi Moore, in the famous pottery scene, which was set to the Righteous Brother's classic, "Unchained Melody." Besides its big box-office numbers, "Ghost" earned Swayze a Golden Globe nomination, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and netted Whoopi Goldberg an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Swayze also received the distinction of being PEOPLE magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1991.

In 1995, Swayze turned his macho image on its ear by staring in the gender-bending comedy, "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar," as drag queen supreme, Vida Boheme. Co-starring Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo as fellow drag queens, the movie follows the three on their odyssey across the country to participate in a national drag queen competition. Swayze was nominated for another Golden Globe for his performance.

Other Swayze films included "The Outsiders," "Red Dawn," and "Donnie Darko." In 2006, Swayze appeared on stage in "Chicago" and "Guys and Dolls."

Houston-born Swayze played football but also participated in dance in theater. Dance injuries dictated a full-time move to acting. Swayze married his high school sweetheart, Niemi, a fellow dancer, in 1975.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28582715/ns/entertainment-movies/