Patrick Swayze (August 18, 1952-September 14, 2009) was a Hollywood icon. At the core of his amazing entertainment career was his dance background. I would even go one step farther and say that dancing was a huge part of Patrick's soul and a huge part of the soul of his marriage to his wife of thirty-four years, Lisa Niemi. Patrick said many times throughout the years that he started dancing just about as soon as he could walk under the tutelage of his mother, Patsy Swayze, at her dance studio in Houston, Texas. As many people know, Patrick and Lisa met in that very same studio in 1971. Patrick's innate talent with his drive and discipline developed by his mother was a highly potent combination that served him well throughout his life--both in the dance and entertainment arena and in his personal life.
Patrick Swayze Professional Dance Performances: Disney on Parade, Broadway, BalletHis first professional appearance was as a dancer in Disney on Parade in the early 1970s, and then he appeared on Broadway in Goodtime Charley in 1975, and then in 1978 in Grease as the lead. He had danced with the Houston Jazz Ballet, Harkness Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Eliot Feld Ballet. A very severe, persistent knee problem (which was caused by an injury in a high school football game) was the reason that he eventually switched his primary career focus from dancing to acting. However, it seemed that dancing always remained close to his heart. Later on his career, he returned to Broadway and played Billy Flynn in Chicago in December 2003 (and in a touring production from December 2003-January 2004), and then Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls from July 27, 2006-December 2006 in London, England.
Dirty DancingOf course, Patrick is very well-known and beloved for his starring, Golden Globe nominated role, as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing in 1987. His sizzling performance sent out a strong message to males that it was okay to be a male and a dancer. Professional male dancers, including Josef Brown (starred in Dirty Dancing, the musical) have commented that Patrick was a role model in that regard. Of course, dancing became much more popular for the everyday males and females after Dirty Dancing came out. In 2004, Patrick also did a cameo role as a dance instructor in the prequel movie, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi Dance Together: One Last Dance and MoreThe 2003 release of the movie, One Last Dance, showcased Patrick and Lisa's love for dancing and the integral part dancing played in their relationship. Not only did they star together in this movie (with George De La Pena), Lisa was the writer, director, producer, and Patrick was producer and financier. Patrick also sang two songs that Lisa and he wrote. One Last Dance is based on the 1984 stage production, Without A Word which was created and starred in by Lisa Niemi, Patrick Swayze, and Nicholas Gunn. Without A Word won six LA Drama Critic Awards and many requests were made for the stage play to be made into a movie. After many years of hard work, One Last Dance premiered at the WorldFest Houston International Film Festival (which I had the thrill of attending).
One Last Dance, which is said to be loosely autobiographical, shows the inside world of dancers and has the theme that it is never too late to realize your dreams. The dance scenes with Patrick and Lisa are breathtaking and reflect their true-life love for each other. Another gorgeous dance performance that Patrick and Lisa did together was at the World Music Awards in 1994. Patrick and Lisa also were choreographers for the movie, Grandview U.S.A. (1984) in which Patrick had a lead role. Swayze Dancing, a 1988 video features Patsy, Patrick, and Lisa all teaching dance at Patsy's studio.
Contributions to the WorldPatrick and Lisa have given enormous support to dance companies throughout the years and I will list a few examples. They have served as board members for Complexions Contemporary Ballet. I attended a benefit two times (2002 and 2004) in my hometown, Detroit for Complexions Contemporary Ballet in which Patrick hosted a gala. He spoke about the importance of dance and the arts, and how the arts distinguish us from the beasts. He talked about how through dance, we could unite the world. In 2005, per the Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club, Patrick and Lisa had a special event--"Patrick Swayze & Friends"--in New York to benefit the Joyce Dance Theater (who wanted to build a theater at Ground Zero) and to celebrate the release of One Last Dance. Also in 2005, Patrick and Lisa hosted a screening and discussion of One Last Dance as a fundraiser for the Nevada Ballet Theatre.
In conclusion, dance was at the core of Patrick's amazing entertainment career and a huge part of his soul and a huge part of the soul of his marriage. Patrick's awe-inspiring talent in dance and his heartfelt dedication to dance will continue to enrich the world forever in myriad ways--in the form of inspiring others to dance professionally or just for fun, providing entertainment, showing the possibility of realizing dreams against the odds, and allowing humans to transcend the ordinary to the beauty of dance. Patrick experienced first-hand and shared with us the joy and power of dance, and for that, I am grateful.
Patrick Swayze Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at Stanford Cancer Center
Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club (See Pictures: Dance Gallery)
Sue Tabashnik - Sue Tabashnik has been writing articles for years for the Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club.She brings a unique perspective ...
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