Biography
Patrick Swayze also appeared in Red Dawn (1984), Road House (1989), Black Dog
(1998), and Donnie Darko (2001). He is also famous for the North and South
miniseries.
The son of Jesse Wayne Swayze and choreographer and ballet school owner Patsy
Yvonne Helen Karnes, he was born in Houston, Texas. Swayze attended Oak Forest
Elementary School, Black Middle School, and Waltrip High School in Houston.
Swayze formally trained at the Harkness and Joffrey Ballet Schools in New York
City. His first professional appearance was as a dancer for Disney on Parade,
then in the Broadway production of Grease, before his debut film role as Ace in
Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979). He also appeared in the M*A*S*H episode Blood
Brothers.
Patrick Swayze received Golden Globe Award nominations for his roles in Dirty
Dancing, Ghost and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995).
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), a quasi-sequel to Dirty Dancing, had Swayze
cast as a dance instructor in a cameo.
He has been married to actress Lisa Niemi since June 12, 1975. His brother, Don
Swayze, is also an actor.
Patrick Swayze is very spiritual. He is known for his faith in the healing power
of crystals. Brought up Roman Catholic, he was reportedly has an interest in
Buddhism. His favorite colors include blue, teal, burgundy, earthtones and faded
black.
Patrick Swayze has also bred Arabian horses. His best-known horse was the late
Tammen, a chestnut Arabian stallion.
Trailer Park Boys' Julian is sometimes called Patrick Swayze due to the very
slight resemblance. In the episode "Conky', Julian resorts to destroying a
puppet's head with his gun after the comment.
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