Thursday, 03.06.08
Swayze Don't Hurt
Mark Mainz/Getty Images for AFI
Swayze lived rough. In 2000, when he crash-landed his plane in central Arizona, many thought he had been flying drunk. Later, he blamed the fatality-free crash on impairment brought on by his smoking habit, at the time three packs a day, or about one cancer-stick every 15 minutes. That's a jones stronger even than Dalton, the enigmatic cooler he played in Road House.
Since the Eighties, when he shimmied his way to stardom in Dirty Dancing, Swayze has had impressive moments as an actor. He starred in the often mocked Point Break, but injected gritty realism into his role as an uber-spiritual surfing bank-robber and showed hilarious self-awareness in his SNL Chippendale audition sketch with the now deceased Chris Farley.
If he does in fact lose his bar-house brawl with cancer, his legacy will be in the William Shatner mold, with some fans remembering the melodrama of his exit to heaven in Ghost and others relishing the irony in his so-bad-they're-good action movies, Road House, Next of Kin and the Dawns (Steel or Red, your pick). All will miss his smirk, on display again as self-help guru Jim Cunningham in 2001's Donnie Darko.
And true Road House fans are doubly mourning today, as Jeff Healey, who played the blind Double-Deuce musician, passed away on Sunday. One can only assume that co-star Sam Elliot is watching his step this week.
Ha?Roger Ebert couldn't tell if Road House was meant to be funny, but he laughed all the way through anyway. |
Looking backThe New York Daily News provides a gallery of Swayze's best-known roles. |
Best girl-movie everCurtis Sittenfeld joins the critical consensus in calling Dirty Dancing the greatest "girl movie" ever, but curses Swayze's performance as a "ageless, sexless dance Buddha" in the sequel. |
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Patrick Swayze has been in and added a great flavor in many classic films. Some of my favorites, (The Outsiders, Red Dawn, Point Break) I lost my sister as well recently. It dents a persons soul. I would put him on a small list of actors I would like to know. Keep in mind, how would any of your favorite actors have played his role in Dirty Dancing or Ghost? Those were not my favorite films, but he brought out the best in them. Stay Gold Pat.
My heart breaks for Patrick & Lisa, I know he can beat this, he's the strongest person I've ever seen on the screen. Be STRONG Patrick!!!
Hang in there Bra, as Bodhi might say!
Get the doctorin' done and use the spiritual side too! Im not sure of you're beliefs, but as a fellow Mick (still cat-lick) I'd give Jesus a shot too! At any rate, as I'm sure you know a strong will and beliving you can win, along with the love of your good woman, family, friends and fans pulling and praying for you...you get this cancer as good as beat! Give that stuff a serious beatdown like Bodhi, Jed, Orry Main, Darry Curtis, James Dalton, Truman Gates, Johnny Castle, etc. combined would!!
P.S. We'd sure like to see YOU on Dancing with the Stars!!! Like to see what Len would have ta say!
Oh how my heart is breaking to think of you Patrick, such a wonderfully talented gentleman, in the fight to conquer this ugly disease....but I am praying for YOU Patrick and in my heart I know that you are blessed with a giant-size determination that can beat this disease. My heartfelt prayers will continue until we hear that you are doing better. Sending much sincere love from a devoted fan.
God Bless you Patrick. I'll be praying for you.
Love, Theresa
Im very sorry to hear such bad news. May God bless you Patrick and you are in my prayers.
Dear Patrick
It has saddened me to hear that you are facing a dreaded illness like pancreatic cancer.
Whilst I was growing up you were my adolescent hero. I followed every series and movie that you have made; from North and South, Dirty Dancing, Roadhouse, Point Break and Ghost.
I feel positive that you will make a full and speedy recovery and you will always be my adult hero.
warmest wishes
Sarah F-H
Dear Patrick
It has saddened me to hear that you are facing a dreaded illness like pancreatic cancer.
Whilst I was growing up you were my adolescent hero. I followed every series and movie that you have made; from North and South, Dirty Dancing, Roadhouse, Point Break and Ghost.
I feel positive that you will make a full and speedy recovery and you will always be my adult hero.
warmest wishes
Sarah F-H
its very sad to learn that you have pancreatic cancer. but in my heart i believe you will make a full recovery. i one of your younger fans and i would definitely like to see you around for a very long time. my prayers are with you.
I was shocked to hear this. I could not believe it. I have lost my mother and my husband's mother to this ugly diesised please stay strong and positive attitude, as it will help. and keep the faith! My prayers are with you and your family!
Tina
Dear Patrick Swayze We love you. You're a fighter. You'll make it.
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You stay in there man,don't give up.I was told I had pancreatic cancer I was yellow all over my body.Thay opened me up took out thing,and 6hr later thay told me I may make it a year.That was July 3rd 1956 I was 54 years old in one week I will be 66 years old damn I'm an old fart.So you see with GOD"S help,and the rest of us pull for you will be an old fart like me tooooo!!!!!!!
Posted by Tom Arundale | March 6, 2008 3:03 PM