Monday, September 14, 2009

Patrick Swayze, 1952-2009


I was saddened when I came home from work tonight and learned that Patrick Swayze had lost his fight against pancreatic cancer. He was an iconic actor from my youth and he will be missed.

While I was not a huge fan of all his work, Roadhouse anyone? I am thankful for the movies of his I do enjoy: Red Dawn, Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.

I have memories tied into all those movies. Where I was when they came out, who I saw them with, and what I felt when I watched them.

11 comments:

Literary Feline said...

Me too, Ryan. He seemed like such a great man and I enjoyed much of his work (even if not all). Your mention of Red Dawn sure brings back memories! And my husband just got me a copy of Dirty Dancing for my birthday this past week. So sad. My thoughts are with his friends and family.

Sheila (bookjourney) said...

I had a crazy day - I did not know until I read your post here. I too am saddened by this news. What a wonderful actor.

Ryan said...

Wendy, thank you so much for commenting. Red Dawn is my favorite of his. I will probably be watching his moies over the next few days just to remind myself of how great they are.

Sheila, I was a little shocked by it. I guess I just didn't know how bad he was doing. Then when I googled his picutre tonight I was shocked by how odl and frail he looked.

Michelle (Red Headed Book Child) said...

I found out from a customer at my bookstore tonight and just about sobbed in his arms. I loved Patrick Swayze. Outsiders, Dirty Dancing, Ghost...such good ones. And his marriage to Lisa was such an inspiration.

He will be missed.

Ryan said...

Michelle, he made some great movies and given me even better memories to go with them.

Lezlie said...

I was sad when I saw this last night. I was never a huge fan, but he seemed like a good guy.

Lezlie

Ceri said...

I was sad to wake up this morning and hear this too. :( I was in love with Johnny Castle as a young teen, and it's going to be that much sadder to watch Ghost from now on.

At least his pain has come to an end.

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

My heart just sunk when I heard the news. I saw it on twitter. I thought someone was tweeting a lie, and aweful aweful lie. I didn't want to beleive it. Then I was able to find it everywhere. My heart just stopped. As like you, I have many fond memories of these movies along with the memories that go with the movies.

It seems we have had a very tragic year with deaths. We have lost many, many wonderful people this year. It really is making me think. It just seems to close to me to be happening. These people are not that old to be passing on yet.

Lori Johnston said...

What a nice tribute, Ryan. While Road House was not artistic on any level, I enjoyed the fun of the movie, as well as the awesome chemistry between Patrick and Sam Elliot and the general cheesiness. I think "Ghost" is my absolute favorite film of his, followed very closely by "Dirty Dancing" and the "North and South" miniseries.

Patrick was an inspiration not just for his work (he was a dedicated actor and dancer) but also for his loving marriage to Lisa. He will always be remembered and missed.

Krista said...

I was super sad when I found this out last night! I might have to do a FFC featuring him! I loved Dirty dabncing! He will be missed, that's for sure!

Jackie said...

I first saw him in The Outsiders, way back when. But, I think Dirty Dancing is the movie that pops to mind first when his name is mentioned..."Nobody puts Baby in a corner."...Truly iconic.