Patrick Swayze: a life in pictures

Patrick Swayze's fancy footwork in Dirty Dancing and the passionate potter's wheel scene in Ghost captured the hearts of women across the globe. He became a bona fide star who lit up the silver screen, and whose bravery in the face of illness in later years was an inspiration to many. As the world mourns his loss we take a look back at Patrick's extraordinary life.


All photos: © Getty Images, Rex

Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas to choreographer Patsy Swayze – nee Karnes – and her former cowboy-turned-engineering drafter husband Jesse. The couple's second child, he arrived nearly three years after his sister Vicky Lynn and had two younger brothers - actor Don and Sean Kyle. He's pictured in 1957, aged five, enjoying a day at the beach in Texas with his parents.

His famous blue eyes and movie star looks already evident, Patrick poses for a portrait photograph in 1960

The talented teen – pictured in 1967 aged 14 - initially followed in his mum's footsteps by training to become a dancer, moving to New York in 1972 to complete his formal training

Patrick married childhood sweetheart Lisa Anne Niemi in Houston on June 12, 1975. It was the beginning of one of Hollywood's strongest and most successful marriages, enduring 34 years. Although Lisa became pregnant twice, she suffered a miscarriage on both occasions and the couple never had any children

The actor was 19 when he met his future wife, who was 15 and a student at his mum's dance school. The couple are pictured in 1977, two years into their marriage, rehearsing for the Broadway production of Grease under the watchful eye of Patrick's mother Patsy

A 29-year-old Patrick pictured with his family at home in Houston in 1981. He's flanked by brothers Don and Sean Kyle, and his sister Vicky Lynn, who committed suicide in 1994. On the far right of his parents in the foreground is his adopted sister Bambi. A year after this shot was taken Patrick lost his father to a heart attack, an event which triggered a period of heavy drinking for the star

Patrick's big break came with the 1987 hit romance Dirty Dancing. He was in his element as Johnny Castle, a dance instructor at a summer resort who teaches, and romances Jennifer Grey's character Baby

The 'clay sculpting' scene from 1990 flick Ghost is probably the most iconic of Patrick's career. The film featured Patrick as Sam Wheat, a man killed in a botched robbery who remains trapped on Earth as a ghost to protect his love Molly, played by Demi Moore

The following year, Patrick reinvented himself in Point Break, which marked a departure from his usual clean cut roles. He played Bodhi, the long-haired, adrenaline-charged leader of a surfing community who's also the ringleader of a gang of bank robbers. Speaking of the role, the actor, who cracked four ribs while surfing during filming, said he felt Bodhi was a lot like him, and they shared a "wild-man edge"

If cinema-goers were shocked by Patrick's transformation in Point Break, his turn in Tu Wong Foo as a high heel, lipstick-wearing drag queen must have come as an even greater surprise. Critics, however, hailed for him for his decision to star as Vida Boheme alongside fellow 'ladies' Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo

On August 18, 1997, Patrick was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. At his side was his proud wife Lisa

In 2000 he had a close shave when he was forced to make an emergency landing after the twin-engine plane he was piloting ran into trouble during a solo flight from LA to Las Vegas. Patrick walked away from the accident with just cuts and bruises

To the delight of his British fans, in 2005 he joined Claire Sweeney in the West End production of Guys And Dolls, stepping into the role of Nathan Detroit from July to November

In March 2008 it was announced Patrick had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Determined to fight the disease every step of the way, however, he shot all the episodes for his gritty new series, The Beast, over the summer while undergoing chemotherapy