Patrick Swayze Remembered

Born on August 18^th 1952 to Patsy Swayze a dance choreographer, and to his father Jesse Swayze a chemical plant engineer in Houston Texas who died due to a heart attack in 1982. Patrick graduated from Waltrip High School in Houston, other graduates from the same High School include Shelly Duvall and wrestler Mark Calaway aka "the undertaker." Upon graduation he soon went on to attend San Jacinto College. Patrick's mother, Patsy, taught dance lessons to Lisa Niemi who would later become Patrick's wife on June 12^th 1975.

Patrick Swayze began studying acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse alongside Milton Katselas. Having danced alongside his mother in her dance studio and professionally as Prince Charming in Disney in Parade and Danny Zuko in the original Broadway production of "Grease," he later made his film debut in "Skatetown, U.S.A," as Ace. This would lead him to receive a Golden Globe nomination in his role as Johnny Castle in the brief and unexpected success movie "Dirty Dancing" in 1987, and later giving him a second nomination for the role of the ghost Sam Wheat for the movie "Ghost," in 1990.

His movies would soon bring him constant recognition throughout the nineties starting with of course the unforgettable "Roadhouse." As with any average human being Patrick struggled with issues and personal setbacks. Patrick labeling himself as a recovering alcoholic fought against not only one but two major addictions. As with being a heavy drinker Patrick was also a heavy smoker which would ultimately lead him to a major devastation affecting his life. In December of 2007 Patrick fell very ill and being examined by a doctor by January of 2008 Patrick was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a very lethal cancer, each year about 42,470 are diagnosed with this disease and 35,240 die. Pancreatic cancer is also known as the "silent killer" because early pancreatic cancer usually does not have symptoms and later symptoms are usually unverified. The pancreatic cancer may have been caused because of Patrick's ill habits of heavy smoking throughout his life and alcohol is still a controversial topic on the fact that it may contribute to the cause of further advancement of pancreatic cancer. And with any treatment for cancer, depending on the pain, most of the time is treated through chemotherapy.

Most patients that become diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have a very poor prognosis. The prognosis usually ranges between 3 and 6 months and with less than a 5% survival rate of over 5 years. Even diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Patrick remained optimistic about his recovery and remained active in his career field starring in the new hit television show "The Beast."

But unfortunately all good things must come to an end sometime. Patrick's optimistic fight against pancreatic cancer came to an end on September 14^th, 2009 he was 57 years old. Being one of the most popular television stars and being named one of people's magazines top 50 beautiful people, fans around the world will miss and remember Patrick for years to come.