Profile of the Day: Patrick Swayze

Today we remember actor Patrick Swayze on what would have been his 70th birthday.

Image: Patrick Swayze / Alan Light, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas. He was the second child of Patsy Yvonne Helen Karnes, a choreographer and dance instructor, and Jesse Wayne Swayze, an engineering draftsman.

Thanks to his mother’s profession, Swayze was first introduced to dance at an early age. He showed off his dancing skills in his breakthrough role in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing. The low-budget coming of age film was a box office hit and made Swayze a household name. He went on to star in many more successful films, including Ghost, Point Break, and Road House.

On September 14, 2009, Swayze died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.

What’s your favorite Patrick Swayze film?

Explore Patrick Swayze’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related!