Patrick Wayne Swayze (born August 18, 1952) is an American actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter. He is best-known as a romantic leading man in films such as Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990), for which he received Golden Globe nominations, along with his performances in Red Dawn (1984), Road House (1989), and Point Break (1991). He was listed by People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991. Read more...

Swayze was born on August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas, the son of Patricia "Patsy" Yvonne Helen (née Karnes) — a choreographer, dance instructor, and dancer—and Jesse Wayne Swayze, an engineering drafter.[2] His brother, Don Swayze, is also an actor. Other siblings include Vicki (deceased) and Sean. Although the surname "Swayze" is of Norman French origin, he is of mainly Irish descent.[3] Read more...

Swayze's first professional appearance was as a dancer for Disney on Parade. He starred as Danny Zuko in the Broadway theatre production of Grease before his debut film role as "Ace" in Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979). He also appeared as Pvt. Sturgis in the M*A*S*H episode "Blood Brothers" (episode 9.18, 6 April 1981). Swayze became known to the film industry after appearing in The Outsiders (1983) as the Read more...