Actor, dancer and singer Patrick Swayze passes away at 57

The LA Music Examiner is reporting that actor Patrick Swayze lost his battle today from pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease in January 2008. Swayze is best known for his work in the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing” and the 1990 film “Ghost” which earned his co star Whoopi Goldgerg an Oscar. Goldberg has mentioned on the  tv show The View this year that she owed Swayze her Oscar because when she wanted the role and several were against it. She said Swayze told the studio that he would not do the movie unless Goldberg was in the role. In 1991, he was named the Sexist Man Alive by People Magazine.

Swayze co-wrote and sang a hit song from the film, “She’s Like the Wind,” which reached No. 3 on the pop charts.

Swayze was born in Houston, where he performed at his mother’s ballet school. His mother, Patsy Swayze, choreographed dance sequences in the John Travolta film “Urban Cowboy” in (1980) and was a teacher to Debbie Allen and her sister Phylicia Rashad. Swayze was an all around entertainer as a actor, singer and dancer. Swayze is a former ballet and Broadway dancer, training at the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet Schools.

Swayze recent role was as the lead in an A&E TV series called The Beast. The show debuted in January of this year and was canceled in June due to Swayze’s health.

Survivors include his wife, Lisa Niemi for 34 years who is also a dancer, two brothers, including actor Don Swayze; and a sister, Bambi Swayze. For more info on Swayze’s life and career at Examiner.com, visit: Swayze.

Here is the video to one of the best songs of the 80s. Patrick Swayze’s “She’s Like The Wind”: