Time of his life.
September 14, 2009 6:41 PM Subscribe
After a short battle with pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze has died. Having starred in numerous movies throughout his career, he's probably best known for his Roles in The Outsiders, Dirty Dancing and Ghost.
Final dance scene from Dirty Dancing.
Rumble scene from The Outsiders.
Pottery scene from Ghost.
SNL Chippendales skit.
Scene from To Wong Foo.
Final dance scene from Dirty Dancing.
Rumble scene from The Outsiders.
Pottery scene from Ghost.
SNL Chippendales skit.
Scene from To Wong Foo.
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posted by fuzzypantalones at 6:44 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by fuzzypantalones at 6:44 PM on September 14, 2009
WOLVERINES!
posted by champthom at 6:44 PM on September 14, 2009 [13 favorites]
posted by champthom at 6:44 PM on September 14, 2009 [13 favorites]
This means we can now put baby in the corner?
posted by Dr. Zira at 6:45 PM on September 14, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by Dr. Zira at 6:45 PM on September 14, 2009 [3 favorites]
I posted this in one of the deleted threads, but: .
posted by brundlefly at 6:46 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by brundlefly at 6:46 PM on September 14, 2009
Point Break was the first R-rated movie I ever saw, and it will always be one of my faves.
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posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:46 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:46 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
"I want you to be nice...until it's time to not be nice."
posted by exlotuseater at 6:47 PM on September 14, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by exlotuseater at 6:47 PM on September 14, 2009 [5 favorites]
Ditto.
posted by wannalol at 6:48 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by wannalol at 6:48 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
So then...
How do I choose to remember Swayze?
Is it as Dalton in Roadhouse?
Leader of the Wolverines in Red Dawn?
Close.
But no...
posted by Senor Cardgage at 6:48 PM on September 14, 2009 [11 favorites]
How do I choose to remember Swayze?
Is it as Dalton in Roadhouse?
Leader of the Wolverines in Red Dawn?
Close.
But no...
posted by Senor Cardgage at 6:48 PM on September 14, 2009 [11 favorites]
Even though The Beast was on the small screen, there are much worse final legacies for an actor.
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:49 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:49 PM on September 14, 2009
WOLVERINES!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 6:50 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 6:50 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
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I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've watched The Outsiders. That was my favorite movie when I was in middle school. Darry was the ultimate big brother to me. So sad to see Mr. Swayze go.
posted by FunkyHelix at 6:50 PM on September 14, 2009
I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've watched The Outsiders. That was my favorite movie when I was in middle school. Darry was the ultimate big brother to me. So sad to see Mr. Swayze go.
posted by FunkyHelix at 6:50 PM on September 14, 2009
Hulu has Black Dog, with Swayze and Meatloaf... oh my.
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:52 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:52 PM on September 14, 2009
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Three obit posts so far, and I'm still bummed about this.
posted by shiu mai baby at 6:53 PM on September 14, 2009
Three obit posts so far, and I'm still bummed about this.
posted by shiu mai baby at 6:53 PM on September 14, 2009
I never doubted his commitment to Sparkle Motion.
posted by dhammond at 6:53 PM on September 14, 2009 [7 favorites]
posted by dhammond at 6:53 PM on September 14, 2009 [7 favorites]
I will honour his memory tonight by ripping out someone's throat.
posted by Adam_S at 6:55 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Adam_S at 6:55 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
No Patrick Swayze obituary is complete without the Personality Comics profile SWAYZE.
I've always been a fan. He fought the good fight.
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posted by carsonb at 6:55 PM on September 14, 2009
I've always been a fan. He fought the good fight.
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posted by carsonb at 6:55 PM on September 14, 2009
Nobody put Swayze in a coffin!
posted by Effigy2000 at 6:56 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Effigy2000 at 6:56 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
The Outsiders was my favourite movie between the ages of 11 to 14. I mean it really spoke to me at that age and Swayze was great in it.
posted by ob at 6:58 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by ob at 6:58 PM on September 14, 2009
As an actor, he had his high points and low points, but as a dancer - which is what he was first and foremost by his own consideration - he was always very fluid and graceful, but masculine as well. I always thought it was a shame that American dance only recently started to grow truly mainstream; he would have fit right in.
posted by mightygodking at 6:59 PM on September 14, 2009 [7 favorites]
posted by mightygodking at 6:59 PM on September 14, 2009 [7 favorites]
No YT clip - but he did an affecting guest spot on M*A*S*H... a long time ago.
I didn't know I'd be this sad. I guess Heaven's got a new bouncer.
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posted by Joe Beese at 6:59 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
I didn't know I'd be this sad. I guess Heaven's got a new bouncer.
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posted by Joe Beese at 6:59 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
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There are certain movies that make me cry every time. I'm not an especially emotional person, but I have my triggers. They are ET, An American Tale, Terminator 2, and Ghost. I can't say any more than I think I will have to list Ghost twice on the list, cause now I'll cry twice as hard.
posted by Tesseractive at 7:00 PM on September 14, 2009
There are certain movies that make me cry every time. I'm not an especially emotional person, but I have my triggers. They are ET, An American Tale, Terminator 2, and Ghost. I can't say any more than I think I will have to list Ghost twice on the list, cause now I'll cry twice as hard.
posted by Tesseractive at 7:00 PM on September 14, 2009
Ghost came out at a pivotal time in my life, and Sam Wheat is the first thing which comes to mind when Swayze's name is mentioned. He was excellent in Dirty Dancing, Road House, Point Break, and Donnie Darko, but the tragic romance aspect of Ghost was there to console me when everything in my young romantic life was falling apart. Funnily enough, history repeated itself recently and the fact that it's coupled with the news of Swayze's actual death today gives me a strange sense of deja vu.
RIP, Mr. Swayze. You did good work.
posted by ooga_booga at 7:00 PM on September 14, 2009
RIP, Mr. Swayze. You did good work.
posted by ooga_booga at 7:00 PM on September 14, 2009
He was such a pleasure to watch. I loved this at 13 and I love it now, unapologetic romance.
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posted by Monsters at 7:01 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by Monsters at 7:01 PM on September 14, 2009
Dammit. Another good person lost to pancreatic cancer.
20 months is actually a fairly long time to survive after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: according to this site, average survival after diagnosis is 5-8 months, though 20% will live at least a year after diagnosis.
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posted by mogget at 7:02 PM on September 14, 2009
20 months is actually a fairly long time to survive after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: according to this site, average survival after diagnosis is 5-8 months, though 20% will live at least a year after diagnosis.
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posted by mogget at 7:02 PM on September 14, 2009
Way too young. Swayze was one I'd wanted to see act through old age.
Time to pull out Point Break again (still the only movie I've ever watched twice back to back, or wanted to).
Life sure has a sick sense of humor, doesn't it?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:03 PM on September 14, 2009
Time to pull out Point Break again (still the only movie I've ever watched twice back to back, or wanted to).
Life sure has a sick sense of humor, doesn't it?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:03 PM on September 14, 2009
The Outsiders and Dirty Dancing were HUGE in my life. He seemed so real in both of them. Man, I was in LOVE with him in high school after DD came out. Ghost was a lovely, funny, achingly sad movie that I also loved. He was a fine actor.
RIP.
posted by aacheson at 7:03 PM on September 14, 2009
RIP.
posted by aacheson at 7:03 PM on September 14, 2009
20 months is actually a fairly long time to survive after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
It's an incredibly long time. Pancreatic cancer is quick and ugly, as cancers go.
posted by desuetude at 7:05 PM on September 14, 2009
It's an incredibly long time. Pancreatic cancer is quick and ugly, as cancers go.
posted by desuetude at 7:05 PM on September 14, 2009
Black Dog is the only movie in my life I've ever walked out on at the movies.
Other than that, though, Swayze was awesome.
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posted by darkstar at 7:05 PM on September 14, 2009
Other than that, though, Swayze was awesome.
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posted by darkstar at 7:05 PM on September 14, 2009
Donnie Darko was a big risk for him. Doing a role where you're a sex offender (even offscreen) is a hell of a crapshoot, even if you're an established actor. Plus, he managed to do the charismatic salesman of huggy snake oil quite well, combining extraverted energy with the right notes of sleaze, intimidation, and cult leader that could have been oversold or too obviously creepy in the wrong hands. You could buy that the guy had a huge oil portrait done of himself (probably titled "Fear ... Love") as well as something awful hiding behind it. It was the role that made me see past Road House. I guess I should probably get around to seeing Point Break now.
I'm still on the fence as to whether or not to thank him for the dance lessons inflicted on me as the eventual fallout of Dirty Dancing. I suspect that if every man under the age of fifty who had to take some kind of dance classes because of that movie stood up and stomped one foot, all at once, it might be mistaken for thunder.
posted by adipocere at 7:08 PM on September 14, 2009 [5 favorites]
I'm still on the fence as to whether or not to thank him for the dance lessons inflicted on me as the eventual fallout of Dirty Dancing. I suspect that if every man under the age of fifty who had to take some kind of dance classes because of that movie stood up and stomped one foot, all at once, it might be mistaken for thunder.
posted by adipocere at 7:08 PM on September 14, 2009 [5 favorites]
Gotta say... Point Break had a kind of cheesy perfection, and his Bodhi was great.
posted by darth_tedious at 7:08 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by darth_tedious at 7:08 PM on September 14, 2009
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I really liked this actor but for years I was sure I didn't.
posted by bz at 7:11 PM on September 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
I really liked this actor but for years I was sure I didn't.
posted by bz at 7:11 PM on September 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
As I said in the last obit post, my thoughts are with his family and friends.
And something that folks not in the US, or US folks not interested in mass market magazines and TV, might not know is that Swayze did a lot for raising awareness about pancreatic cancer with his candid and courageous public persona, so additional kudos to him for that.
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:11 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
And something that folks not in the US, or US folks not interested in mass market magazines and TV, might not know is that Swayze did a lot for raising awareness about pancreatic cancer with his candid and courageous public persona, so additional kudos to him for that.
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:11 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
I'm very, very sorry for his widow, Lisa, right now. Donnie Darko was genius.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 7:12 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 7:12 PM on September 14, 2009
Man, the more people that talk about him on Facebook, the more I realize how vast his filmography is.
I forgot To Wong Foo , (Motherfucking) Uncommon Valor (yeah!), Point Break (even tho I watched it like a week ago) and a whole bunch of others.
BTW, I wasnt kidding upthread when I posted that scene from Skatetown USA.
I do genuinely love that terrible movie and he does some amazing work on them skates.
BTW, does anyone remember his VERY short lived show Renegades from like 1983?
I remember I loved it in that way you love a show that's only on a few times when you are a little kid (See Also: Misfits of Science)
posted by Senor Cardgage at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2009
I forgot To Wong Foo , (Motherfucking) Uncommon Valor (yeah!), Point Break (even tho I watched it like a week ago) and a whole bunch of others.
BTW, I wasnt kidding upthread when I posted that scene from Skatetown USA.
I do genuinely love that terrible movie and he does some amazing work on them skates.
BTW, does anyone remember his VERY short lived show Renegades from like 1983?
I remember I loved it in that way you love a show that's only on a few times when you are a little kid (See Also: Misfits of Science)
posted by Senor Cardgage at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2009
I will never forget how beautiful he was in Too Wong Foo... and how three incredibly butch actors took roles of drag queens to help pull the US into a more mature understanding of the wide scope of sexuality. Perfectly timed, culturally, it was a faerie (heh) tale for the times, and introduced long-understood womyn's wisdom from the gay community to a mass audience. It's not a GREAT film, but its place within my film pantheon is great. He did a lot of other things, but his bravery for taking that roll will always win him a special place in my heart.
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posted by hippybear at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2009 [6 favorites]
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posted by hippybear at 7:15 PM on September 14, 2009 [6 favorites]
So then...
How do I choose to remember Swayze?
Is it as Dalton in Roadhouse?
Leader of the Wolverines in Red Dawn?
Close.
But no...
For me it will be this.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:16 PM on September 14, 2009 [8 favorites]
How do I choose to remember Swayze?
Is it as Dalton in Roadhouse?
Leader of the Wolverines in Red Dawn?
Close.
But no...
For me it will be this.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:16 PM on September 14, 2009 [8 favorites]
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posted by OolooKitty at 7:17 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by OolooKitty at 7:17 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by Smart Dalek at 7:19 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:19 PM on September 14, 2009
My mom didn't have cancer but she did die of a failed pancreas. So I know first-hand how awful it is to watch someone die from that organ shutting down and going bad on you. It sucks, sucks sucks and no one should have to watch a loved one go through that.
Godspeed, Mr. Swayze. The pain is over for you now. So long and thanks for the memories.
posted by caution live frogs at 7:20 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Godspeed, Mr. Swayze. The pain is over for you now. So long and thanks for the memories.
posted by caution live frogs at 7:20 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Gotta love a character with a real revolver. Wolverines!
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posted by buzzman at 7:24 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by buzzman at 7:24 PM on September 14, 2009
A Patrick Swayze Christmas (MST3K)
posted by Pallas Athena at 7:30 PM on September 14, 2009 [10 favorites]
posted by Pallas Athena at 7:30 PM on September 14, 2009 [10 favorites]
I guess Jeff Healey needed a cooler in the great beyond. :-/
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posted by Decimask at 7:31 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by Decimask at 7:31 PM on September 14, 2009
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Patrick Swayze does a roller disco number in his film debut, Skatetown U.S.A.
posted by jonp72 at 7:31 PM on September 14, 2009
Patrick Swayze does a roller disco number in his film debut, Skatetown U.S.A.
posted by jonp72 at 7:31 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 7:32 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by two or three cars parked under the stars at 7:32 PM on September 14, 2009
A lot of cool movie moments.
Sizing up his former-football-teammate-turned-rumble-opponent in The Outsiders.
Eating the rose in Youngblood.
RPG!
Pain don't hurt none.
We must take this message from Miss Newmar with us across the land as our sovereign token.
I always kinda figured Bodhi could actually paddle his way to New Zealand, if that's what he really wanted.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:33 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Sizing up his former-football-teammate-turned-rumble-opponent in The Outsiders.
Eating the rose in Youngblood.
RPG!
Pain don't hurt none.
We must take this message from Miss Newmar with us across the land as our sovereign token.
I always kinda figured Bodhi could actually paddle his way to New Zealand, if that's what he really wanted.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 7:33 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
I knew all the lines in Dirty Dancing and most of the dance moves because my next door neighbor and I would watch it over and over and over again. We even practiced the lift at the swimming pool. Patrick Swayze was my first movie star crush, and I'm so sad.
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posted by ahdeeda at 7:34 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by ahdeeda at 7:34 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by Hairy Lobster at 7:35 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Hairy Lobster at 7:35 PM on September 14, 2009
He was a great bad actor and maybe a good actor too, he kicked ass, he dealt with a lot of bullshit haircuts and he fought some bad cancer like a hero, so unless I hear otherwise I'm just going to say goodnight Patrick, good rest.
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:40 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:40 PM on September 14, 2009
Oh man...I've had a crush on Patrick Swayze since I was old enough to have crushes...that's like 3 decades of crush. I too learned all the Dirty Dancing moves, just in case he ever wanted to rescue *me* from a corner. I'm surprisingly sad and weepy.
posted by dejah420 at 7:49 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by dejah420 at 7:49 PM on September 14, 2009
Wow. Always sort of figured he'd pull through it.
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posted by jquinby at 7:53 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by jquinby at 7:53 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by mustard seeds at 7:57 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by mustard seeds at 7:57 PM on September 14, 2009
After a short battle with pancreatic cancer,
Yeah, as others have pointed out, there's nothing "short" about living for almost two years with pancreatic cancer. PC is so unbelievably virulent that it might as well be two decades. Most people just get a few weeks.
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posted by Avenger at 8:10 PM on September 14, 2009
Yeah, as others have pointed out, there's nothing "short" about living for almost two years with pancreatic cancer. PC is so unbelievably virulent that it might as well be two decades. Most people just get a few weeks.
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posted by Avenger at 8:10 PM on September 14, 2009
My favorite bit has always been the moment where the spark is ignited between the bouncer and the doctor in Roadhouse:
"Do you always carry your medical records with you?"
"I find it saves time."
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posted by Ghidorah at 8:25 PM on September 14, 2009
"Do you always carry your medical records with you?"
"I find it saves time."
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posted by Ghidorah at 8:25 PM on September 14, 2009
Fuck you, cancer.
posted by Rangeboy at 8:25 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Rangeboy at 8:25 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
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posted by EvaDestruction at 8:26 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:26 PM on September 14, 2009
After seeing Red Dawn at age 13 or 14, my younger brother began keeping a survival backpack/"go bag" in his closet, in case the Soviets (specifically the Soviets) launched their nukes. He didn't tell any of us, so I guess we were gonna be on own when the shit hit the fan; thanks, bro.
So how do I know that he did this? Because one day my mom was putting away something in his closet and absolutely freaked when she found the 28" machete he had picked up from the Army/Navy store, as he later put it, "just in case things got rough."
I'll miss you, Mr. Swayze, but I want to thank you for inspiring/terrifying my brother to scare the crap out of my mom, and provoking one of the best calls from home I ever got while I was in college.
posted by mosk at 8:36 PM on September 14, 2009 [15 favorites]
So how do I know that he did this? Because one day my mom was putting away something in his closet and absolutely freaked when she found the 28" machete he had picked up from the Army/Navy store, as he later put it, "just in case things got rough."
I'll miss you, Mr. Swayze, but I want to thank you for inspiring/terrifying my brother to scare the crap out of my mom, and provoking one of the best calls from home I ever got while I was in college.
posted by mosk at 8:36 PM on September 14, 2009 [15 favorites]
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posted by seawallrunner at 8:37 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by seawallrunner at 8:37 PM on September 14, 2009
I love Red Dawn.
The part where Swayze is crying and he lets a huge snot bubble out of his nose . . .
That's dedication to your part.
I know I sound like a snide idiot, but I really did like that.
posted by Seamus at 8:39 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
The part where Swayze is crying and he lets a huge snot bubble out of his nose . . .
That's dedication to your part.
I know I sound like a snide idiot, but I really did like that.
posted by Seamus at 8:39 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
Just as an aside, I have read a number of articles on this today, that have variously described it as "A long battle with pancreatic cancer" and "A short battle with pancreatic cancer". I've even read an article that described his battle as "long", where someone commented on the article, saying "It wasn't that long a battle!".
Weird.
posted by Jimbob at 8:41 PM on September 14, 2009
Weird.
posted by Jimbob at 8:41 PM on September 14, 2009
It's like somebody took my childhood out back and shot it in the head. Fuck you, cancer. Fuck you in your stupid ass.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 8:51 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by obiwanwasabi at 8:51 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by podwarrior at 8:58 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by podwarrior at 8:58 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by inconsequentialist at 8:59 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by inconsequentialist at 8:59 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by Joey Michaels at 9:05 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:05 PM on September 14, 2009
I'll be having an early Patrick Swayze Christmas ... in my heart.
RIP, Patrick. You were a good egg and a memorable actor, and you got taken away too soon.
posted by Strange Interlude at 9:10 PM on September 14, 2009
RIP, Patrick. You were a good egg and a memorable actor, and you got taken away too soon.
posted by Strange Interlude at 9:10 PM on September 14, 2009
This is such a wonderfully uncontentious obit thread.
posted by brundlefly at 9:12 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by brundlefly at 9:12 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by dancingfruitbat at 9:14 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by dancingfruitbat at 9:14 PM on September 14, 2009
I was always kind of "eh" about Swayze until I saw his remarkable turn in Donnie Darko. It made me re-evaluate all of his former work, and I found a genuinely good actor who sometimes wound up in crappy roles. So, thank you, Patrick Swayze, for taking that role; it made me think twice, which is a habit we should all engage in a bit more these days.
O-|---
O//
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posted by tzikeh at 9:21 PM on September 14, 2009 [11 favorites]
O-|---
O//
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posted by tzikeh at 9:21 PM on September 14, 2009 [11 favorites]
Aww.
This makes me glad I went and saw Dirty Dancing on a big screen in the park last month. I learned to appreciate Mr.Swayze that night, for sure.
posted by redsparkler at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2009
This makes me glad I went and saw Dirty Dancing on a big screen in the park last month. I learned to appreciate Mr.Swayze that night, for sure.
posted by redsparkler at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2009
Fuck you, pancreatic cancer.
Rest well, Mr. Swayze.
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posted by EatTheWeek at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2009
Rest well, Mr. Swayze.
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posted by EatTheWeek at 9:29 PM on September 14, 2009
Even his bad movies were good.
posted by wv kay in ga at 9:38 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by wv kay in ga at 9:38 PM on September 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 9:53 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 9:53 PM on September 14, 2009
As a secretly gay youth, I was in awe of Swayze because of the risks he took. He was so sensitive. Too Wong Foo came out when I was in high school, I went to go see it in the theater many times. I was horrified and entranced. Was THIS what I was headed for? Watching it now, half the references went over my head, but that wasn't important at the time -- what was important was that Patrick Motherfucking Swayze ruled as a drag queen. It forced me to open up to a lot of ideas about gender and sexuality that had previously been purely conceptual. Okay, I thought. If that's where all this goes, well then... so it goes.
It didn't. Though I am going to dress in drag for the first time this Halloween, and I can only hope I pull it off a tenth as good as he did.
posted by hermitosis at 9:59 PM on September 14, 2009 [3 favorites]
It didn't. Though I am going to dress in drag for the first time this Halloween, and I can only hope I pull it off a tenth as good as he did.
posted by hermitosis at 9:59 PM on September 14, 2009 [3 favorites]
I was really enjoying The Beast, particularly because of his character. He transitioned into the role of hardened old man well. It goes without saying he will be missed.
posted by Lokisbane at 10:06 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Lokisbane at 10:06 PM on September 14, 2009
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posted by Allan Gordon at 10:17 PM on September 14, 2009
posted by Allan Gordon at 10:17 PM on September 14, 2009
I'm trying to figure out how his fall from grace happened so quickly. He did Dirty Dancing in '87, Roadhouse in '89, Ghost and his famous SNL work in '90, Point Break in '91 and then ... his career just went to shit.
What happened?
(I love Roadhouse and Point Break unconditionally)
posted by Bookhouse at 10:20 PM on September 14, 2009
What happened?
(I love Roadhouse and Point Break unconditionally)
posted by Bookhouse at 10:20 PM on September 14, 2009
I haven't even talked my little sister about this yet. She's the one that watched our crummy VHS copy of the crummy VHS copy of Dirty Dancing from the Coloma liquor and video store eleven times in a row. Or maybe it was twelve.
So he wasn't a fantastic actor, but the man could MOVE. Like a motherfucking cat. So graceful and powerful (I think I called him the "anti-Costner" at one point.) That grace and power was the key to his masculine presence. Strange and fitting that a classically trained dancer would be an icon of strength and masculinity.
As someone who could never dance, I envied his ease and power.
And yeah, I was surprised and delighted that he was in To Wong Foo.Once again pushing the boundaries of masculinity, in a way that a lot of people may never accept, but that is meaningful nonetheless. I can't think of any person on Earth who has to be tougher than a drag queen.
So Godspeed you, Patrick Swayze. If you have taught us anything, you have taught us how to be men. Men who dance, men who wear dresses, men who are unconstrained by the squirrelly insecurities of society. Men who are strong and hard enough to be unafraid to be graceful and soft. Real men.
Thanks for everything,
Love, LM
posted by louche mustachio at 10:38 PM on September 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
So he wasn't a fantastic actor, but the man could MOVE. Like a motherfucking cat. So graceful and powerful (I think I called him the "anti-Costner" at one point.) That grace and power was the key to his masculine presence. Strange and fitting that a classically trained dancer would be an icon of strength and masculinity.
As someone who could never dance, I envied his ease and power.
And yeah, I was surprised and delighted that he was in To Wong Foo.Once again pushing the boundaries of masculinity, in a way that a lot of people may never accept, but that is meaningful nonetheless. I can't think of any person on Earth who has to be tougher than a drag queen.
So Godspeed you, Patrick Swayze. If you have taught us anything, you have taught us how to be men. Men who dance, men who wear dresses, men who are unconstrained by the squirrelly insecurities of society. Men who are strong and hard enough to be unafraid to be graceful and soft. Real men.
Thanks for everything,
Love, LM
posted by louche mustachio at 10:38 PM on September 14, 2009 [4 favorites]
Bookhouse asked what happened to his career after the early 90s. From what I've read, after his sister's death in 1994 he got treatment for alcoholism and then decided to step away and raise horses for a while.
* (2004 Quote on drinking) "I made a conscious decision to break away from big films when I got alcohol out of my life. I had been sucked into the blockbuster, box office mentality and it was destroying my sense of purpose in life. The loneliness of fame was messing with my head. Once you've been famous for a while and told your story, it can sound like a lie. You don`t know what`s true. It sounds like an article someone wrote rather than the essence of who you are."
His role in Dirty Dancing was my first celebrity crush when I was 13. Yes, most of his movies were cheese-tastic, but I liked him anyway. He was a wonderful dancer, clearly adored his wife of 34 years, and from most accounts, seemed like a down-to-earth, nice guy.
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posted by weathergal at 11:51 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
* (2004 Quote on drinking) "I made a conscious decision to break away from big films when I got alcohol out of my life. I had been sucked into the blockbuster, box office mentality and it was destroying my sense of purpose in life. The loneliness of fame was messing with my head. Once you've been famous for a while and told your story, it can sound like a lie. You don`t know what`s true. It sounds like an article someone wrote rather than the essence of who you are."
His role in Dirty Dancing was my first celebrity crush when I was 13. Yes, most of his movies were cheese-tastic, but I liked him anyway. He was a wonderful dancer, clearly adored his wife of 34 years, and from most accounts, seemed like a down-to-earth, nice guy.
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posted by weathergal at 11:51 PM on September 14, 2009 [2 favorites]
I will never forget his performance in the movie Footloose.
The way he brought rock-and-roll back to that town.
Amazing.
posted by Brosef K at 12:15 AM on September 15, 2009
The way he brought rock-and-roll back to that town.
Amazing.
posted by Brosef K at 12:15 AM on September 15, 2009
So, who's the Swayziest now?
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:43 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:43 AM on September 15, 2009
He was an amazing dancer, but after I read this interview years ago, every time I heard the name "Patrick Swayze" I couldn't help but picture him passing around his magic sword:
"Before starting a film, Patrick Swayze likes to perform a little ritual. He makes his fellow cast and crew members hold an emerald-and- crystal-encrusted sceptre he found in India. As he places it in each person's hand, he intones, "This is to bless the production and create an atmosphere devoid of mutual ego."
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posted by Oriole Adams at 1:02 AM on September 15, 2009 [3 favorites]
"Before starting a film, Patrick Swayze likes to perform a little ritual. He makes his fellow cast and crew members hold an emerald-and- crystal-encrusted sceptre he found in India. As he places it in each person's hand, he intones, "This is to bless the production and create an atmosphere devoid of mutual ego."
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posted by Oriole Adams at 1:02 AM on September 15, 2009 [3 favorites]
Roadhouse is far and away the best B action/fighting movie of all time, and that's not a backwards compliment at all. It just is what it is, pure delicious macho-with-a-philosophy-degree brain candy. I could watch that shit every day.
posted by Roman Graves at 1:26 AM on September 15, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by Roman Graves at 1:26 AM on September 15, 2009 [3 favorites]
Open up your heart and let the Patrick Swazye Christmas in/
We'll gather at the Roadhouse, with our Next of Kin/
And Santa can be our reg-u-lar Saturday Night thing/
We'll decorate a barstool, and gather around and sing, oh/
Let's have a Patrick Swazye Christ-mas this year/
Or I'll tear your throat out and kick you in the ear....
It's my way or the highway this Christmas at my ba-ah-ar/
I'll have to smash your kneecaps if you bastards touch my car/
I got the word that Santa has been stealing from the till/
I think that that right-jolly-old-elf had bet-ter make out his will, oh/
Let's have a Patrick Swazye Christmas one and all/
And this can be the haziest (musical flourish)/
This can be the laziest (musical flourish)/
This can be the Swaziest Christ-mas- of- them- aaaaaall....
La-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la!
(That song earned poor Crow a time out.)
posted by JHarris at 2:03 AM on September 15, 2009
We'll gather at the Roadhouse, with our Next of Kin/
And Santa can be our reg-u-lar Saturday Night thing/
We'll decorate a barstool, and gather around and sing, oh/
Let's have a Patrick Swazye Christ-mas this year/
Or I'll tear your throat out and kick you in the ear....
It's my way or the highway this Christmas at my ba-ah-ar/
I'll have to smash your kneecaps if you bastards touch my car/
I got the word that Santa has been stealing from the till/
I think that that right-jolly-old-elf had bet-ter make out his will, oh/
Let's have a Patrick Swazye Christmas one and all/
And this can be the haziest (musical flourish)/
This can be the laziest (musical flourish)/
This can be the Swaziest Christ-mas- of- them- aaaaaall....
La-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la!
(That song earned poor Crow a time out.)
posted by JHarris at 2:03 AM on September 15, 2009
A fine Houstonian whom I met once, sitting in a suburban location of House of Pies (a diner) just like regular folk, eating pie while we gawped and pretended not to stare.
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posted by Houstonian at 2:15 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by Houstonian at 2:15 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
As an actor, he had his high points and low points, but as a dancer - which is what he was first and foremost by his own consideration - he was always very fluid and graceful, but masculine as well. I always thought it was a shame that American dance only recently started to grow truly mainstream; he would have fit right in.
He was actually a much better dancer than you'd ever know from watching Dirty Dancing, because his Dirty Dancing character was just a poor guy whose biggest gig was teaching dance at a summer resort. Swayze's mother was a dance teacher who owned a franchised dance studio, and she called him up after seeing Dirty Dancing and said, "Patrick, you can do better than that."
posted by orange swan at 2:17 AM on September 15, 2009
He was actually a much better dancer than you'd ever know from watching Dirty Dancing, because his Dirty Dancing character was just a poor guy whose biggest gig was teaching dance at a summer resort. Swayze's mother was a dance teacher who owned a franchised dance studio, and she called him up after seeing Dirty Dancing and said, "Patrick, you can do better than that."
posted by orange swan at 2:17 AM on September 15, 2009
To Wong Foo must remain my favorite from Mr. Swayze. I don't wish to detract from Ghost at all. I haven't seen most of his films. I didn't even know he was a trained dancer.
I'm shocked to hear of his passing. A dear friend, whom I only knew for a few brief years, died from pancreatic cancer a few years ago. Fast is certainly the word for how that one goes.
posted by Goofyy at 2:22 AM on September 15, 2009
I'm shocked to hear of his passing. A dear friend, whom I only knew for a few brief years, died from pancreatic cancer a few years ago. Fast is certainly the word for how that one goes.
posted by Goofyy at 2:22 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by runincircles at 2:31 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by runincircles at 2:31 AM on September 15, 2009
My one big Swayze-related memory (apart from a disastrous date during which we saw Ghost) was being a dorky high school student attending Arkansas Governor's School. There was a dance one night, and I and my fellow members of the dateless nerd contingent turned up dressed in togas for reasons lost to history. We were mostly just milling around and talking to each other...
...until "(I've Had) the Time of My Life" started. The instant the intro ended and the bass guitar kicked in, we all--without saying a word, or otherwise planning it beforehand--found a big empty space on the floor and started moshing to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
It was one of the few times in high school in which I was a complete and utter geek, yet felt pretty good about it, and Patrick Swayze's indirectly responsible for it.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:13 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
...until "(I've Had) the Time of My Life" started. The instant the intro ended and the bass guitar kicked in, we all--without saying a word, or otherwise planning it beforehand--found a big empty space on the floor and started moshing to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
It was one of the few times in high school in which I was a complete and utter geek, yet felt pretty good about it, and Patrick Swayze's indirectly responsible for it.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:13 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
This Mount Holyoke woman will miss you. And as a rule since that iconic line, MHCers *never sit in the corner of a room ;>
posted by njbradburn at 3:25 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by njbradburn at 3:25 AM on September 15, 2009
Well… shit.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:46 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:46 AM on September 15, 2009
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Have to watch Point Break again in the near future (followed by Bad Boys II of course)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:53 AM on September 15, 2009
Have to watch Point Break again in the near future (followed by Bad Boys II of course)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:53 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by hydropsyche at 5:01 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by hydropsyche at 5:01 AM on September 15, 2009
Shit. R.I.P., Mr. Swayze. I was one of those just-about-to-be-teenaged girls who fell in love with you in Dirty Dancing and I've had a soft spot for you since. You'll be missed.
God damn this sucks.
posted by LeeJay at 5:35 AM on September 15, 2009
God damn this sucks.
posted by LeeJay at 5:35 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by kiwi-epitome at 5:48 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by kiwi-epitome at 5:48 AM on September 15, 2009
My sister and I practiced that big DD move in our pool for weeks and my weakling arms could never pull it off. curse you weakling arms
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:01 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:01 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
I liked his movies, loved watching him dance but the reason I liked Patrick Swayze the most was because of the pure love you saw in his eyes whenever he spoke of his wife. A man who loves his partner like that is a good man.
Goodbye Patrick. I hope that heaven has a beautiful dance floor and plenty of good music.
posted by SuzySmith at 6:31 AM on September 15, 2009 [2 favorites]
Goodbye Patrick. I hope that heaven has a beautiful dance floor and plenty of good music.
posted by SuzySmith at 6:31 AM on September 15, 2009 [2 favorites]
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posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 6:32 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 6:32 AM on September 15, 2009
I think about the production problems and personality clashes between Swayze and Grey in DD when I need to remember that in a creative endeavor, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
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posted by rainbaby at 6:34 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by rainbaby at 6:34 AM on September 15, 2009
A Patrick Swayze Christmas (MST3K)
How long before it becomes a standard?
posted by Servo5678 at 6:39 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
How long before it becomes a standard?
posted by Servo5678 at 6:39 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
I've often thought that no combination of the elements of Dirty Dancing should have worked. Look at it now, and the wooden moments abound.. and yet it occupies a fond, cherished place in the collective imaginings of my generation that is matched by few cultural touchstones. It awoke magic in those of us watching, damnit, and how can you 'nuff on that?
There's a bit in the Spaced episode "Gone", which identifies the one thing that bonds all men- enacting parodic shoot-outs. If they'd mentioned the equivalent for women, they probably would have chosen DD.
Au revoir, Patrick- you were a mensch.
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posted by psychostorm at 6:51 AM on September 15, 2009
There's a bit in the Spaced episode "Gone", which identifies the one thing that bonds all men- enacting parodic shoot-outs. If they'd mentioned the equivalent for women, they probably would have chosen DD.
Au revoir, Patrick- you were a mensch.
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posted by psychostorm at 6:51 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by HumanComplex at 7:11 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by HumanComplex at 7:11 AM on September 15, 2009
Probably my favorite thing of anything that he'd done was the SNL appearance with the Chippendales sketch with Chris Farley. He also did a great song-and-dance number with his wife in that one, IIRC.
It was painful to see pictures of him during his illness, but you could tell that he was fighting it like a bad-ass motherfucker.
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posted by Halloween Jack at 7:41 AM on September 15, 2009
It was painful to see pictures of him during his illness, but you could tell that he was fighting it like a bad-ass motherfucker.
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posted by Halloween Jack at 7:41 AM on September 15, 2009
I remember when he was sort of outed with his cancer through the tabloids. As an oncology nurse this bugged me. I thought what assholes the tabloids are, how dare they. I was at work that day and it was all over the televisions in the patients' rooms. But the patients who were also living, dealing with cancer saw it so differently then I did. Without even trying to he was comforting to them. I had wonderful conversations that day with my patients - which movie sparked who's crush on him first, and did you know he was a Houstonian too? His high school was this one, he went to that elementary school, who saw him where around town. He was immediately embraced by the patients. Then later when he spoke about his experiences with cancer he said the most encouraging thoughtful things. He spoke of 'living' with his cancer. It was kind and brave and generous of him to do so. No one would have slighted him for being angry and bitter about it. But he chose to never show that if he felt that privately. He saw himself as a person living with cancer and let his celebrity communicate that to others. It was wisdom for life. So while I am remembering all the fun, silly, corny, romantic, campy, diverse movies I saw him in over the years, I am also thankful to him as a person bravely facing cancer, using some of his time to talk about what's important in his life - living - and comforting others who are facing a similar scary battle. He may not have survived his cancer, but he didn't let it take over his love for life. He was a wise man. Thank you Mr. Swayze for your grace and generosity.
posted by dog food sugar at 7:42 AM on September 15, 2009 [12 favorites]
posted by dog food sugar at 7:42 AM on September 15, 2009 [12 favorites]
I'm not saying that his role as Dalton changed my life and gave my troubled teen years meaning and purpose. But I think we can all agree that the three rules are pretty good:
"All you have to do is follow three simple rules. One, never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected. Two, take it outside. Never start anything inside the bar unless it's absolutely necessary. And three, be nice."
I certainly wouldn't suggest that these are words to live by and can be applied to a number of other walks of life beyond bouncing. Because that would be silly, right?
I'm just saying that it was a pretty damn fun movie.
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posted by quin at 7:44 AM on September 15, 2009
"All you have to do is follow three simple rules. One, never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected. Two, take it outside. Never start anything inside the bar unless it's absolutely necessary. And three, be nice."
I certainly wouldn't suggest that these are words to live by and can be applied to a number of other walks of life beyond bouncing. Because that would be silly, right?
I'm just saying that it was a pretty damn fun movie.
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posted by quin at 7:44 AM on September 15, 2009
It's ok guys, if we need to talk to him, we can just call Whoopi.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 8:19 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 8:19 AM on September 15, 2009
Clearly I'm in the minority here, but I drop everything and sit in front of the TV when Black Dog shows up on TBS or whatever. Swayze, Meat Loaf, and Randy Travis. Awesome.
Also, "Little Latin boy in drag, why are you crying?"
Today we are all little Latin boys in drag.
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posted by cereselle at 8:21 AM on September 15, 2009 [3 favorites]
Also, "Little Latin boy in drag, why are you crying?"
Today we are all little Latin boys in drag.
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posted by cereselle at 8:21 AM on September 15, 2009 [3 favorites]
My own meager attempts to commemorate The Swayze.
My Five Favorite Swayze Characters
Swayze's Musical Movie Moments
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posted by total warfare frown at 8:41 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
My Five Favorite Swayze Characters
Swayze's Musical Movie Moments
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posted by total warfare frown at 8:41 AM on September 15, 2009 [1 favorite]
In our meeting this morning at work, several minutes of our time were taken up with the discussion of Mr. Swayze and his life. The guys were all over Road House while the gals waxed poetic about Dirty Dancing. It was almost a memorial.
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posted by sandraregina at 8:46 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by sandraregina at 8:46 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by mistersquid at 8:54 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by mistersquid at 8:54 AM on September 15, 2009
A very short time ago, my husband went on tour with John Doe.
While he was on this tour, the movie Roadhouse was on the TV in a bar I was visiting with 7 or 8 strangers (we were there waiting for our mutual friend to arrive for her birthday party). John Doe plays the part of the bartender in this movie (which is one of my faves bc Swayze is not only a hot bouncer with a troubled past, he's also got a PhD in philosophy from NYU!). I happened to look up at the TV right as the part with John Doe in it came on and, overcome with excitement, yelled out "Oh my god! My husband's on tour with him right now!"
All the ladies looked at me very strangely and one of them finally tilted her head and said, somewhat gently, "Your husband's on tour with Patrick Swayze?" It was obvious they thought I was insane and needed to be handled carefully. They barely spoke to me for the rest of the night, and when they did, they'd lean forward and speak just a little too loudly, a little too slowly.
Thank you, Mr. Swayze, for one of the best "in jokes" my husband and I have. You were sort of a cheeseball, but I will really miss you.
posted by staggering termagant at 9:18 AM on September 15, 2009
While he was on this tour, the movie Roadhouse was on the TV in a bar I was visiting with 7 or 8 strangers (we were there waiting for our mutual friend to arrive for her birthday party). John Doe plays the part of the bartender in this movie (which is one of my faves bc Swayze is not only a hot bouncer with a troubled past, he's also got a PhD in philosophy from NYU!). I happened to look up at the TV right as the part with John Doe in it came on and, overcome with excitement, yelled out "Oh my god! My husband's on tour with him right now!"
All the ladies looked at me very strangely and one of them finally tilted her head and said, somewhat gently, "Your husband's on tour with Patrick Swayze?" It was obvious they thought I was insane and needed to be handled carefully. They barely spoke to me for the rest of the night, and when they did, they'd lean forward and speak just a little too loudly, a little too slowly.
Thank you, Mr. Swayze, for one of the best "in jokes" my husband and I have. You were sort of a cheeseball, but I will really miss you.
posted by staggering termagant at 9:18 AM on September 15, 2009
Man, just a few weeks ago my spouse and I were dancing to "Time of My Life" in the middle of Best Buy, just to amuse the bored salesguy.
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posted by Ouisch at 9:44 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by Ouisch at 9:44 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 10:44 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 10:44 AM on September 15, 2009
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posted by LobsterMitten at 11:27 AM on September 15, 2009
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:27 AM on September 15, 2009
I just watched the Outsiders for the first time the other day and thought to myself, you know, Swayze gets a bad rap, but he's pretty good.
Also, you need to have respect for anyone who has to fight pancreatic cancer and especially for the fact that he filmed an entire season starring in a TV show while essentially dying. I lost an uncle to pancreatic cancer and for him, just getting up and walking around was a challenge.
posted by Capt Jingo at 12:32 PM on September 15, 2009
Also, you need to have respect for anyone who has to fight pancreatic cancer and especially for the fact that he filmed an entire season starring in a TV show while essentially dying. I lost an uncle to pancreatic cancer and for him, just getting up and walking around was a challenge.
posted by Capt Jingo at 12:32 PM on September 15, 2009
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posted by UseyurBrain at 3:45 PM on September 15, 2009
posted by UseyurBrain at 3:45 PM on September 15, 2009
Patrick Swayze's mother was once very nice to me as a fat child who so did not belong in her dance class. Patrick seems to have inherited both her talent and her class, and whether you loved his movies or hated them, the world was probably a tiny bit better with him in it.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:28 PM on September 15, 2009 [9 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 6:28 PM on September 15, 2009 [9 favorites]
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posted by mrgroweler at 8:05 PM on September 15, 2009
posted by mrgroweler at 8:05 PM on September 15, 2009
Patrick Swayze was a truly amazing actor. He had the ability to take a really shitty movie and single-handedly act the shit out of it. He did that a lot.
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posted by Sys Rq at 8:31 PM on September 15, 2009
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posted by Sys Rq at 8:31 PM on September 15, 2009
Kind of a lame first post for two reasons.
First off, his battle with cancer was not short, he survived Pancreatic Cancer for 20 months, that is extraordinarily long for something with that affliction and is a testament to his toughness and constitution.
Secondly, his best movies are clearly Roadhouse, Point Break, and Red Dawn.
That is all.
RIP
posted by BobbyDigital at 7:26 AM on September 16, 2009
First off, his battle with cancer was not short, he survived Pancreatic Cancer for 20 months, that is extraordinarily long for something with that affliction and is a testament to his toughness and constitution.
Secondly, his best movies are clearly Roadhouse, Point Break, and Red Dawn.
That is all.
RIP
posted by BobbyDigital at 7:26 AM on September 16, 2009
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posted by ob at 6:42 PM on September 14, 2009