Patrick Swayze 1952-2009

Patrick Swayze: A Talented Heartthrob Remembered

From Dirty Dancing to his valiant battle with pancreatic cancer, see what made the actor a beloved star

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THE ONE THAT HE WANTED

After moving to New York City to pursue his stage dreams, Swayze replaced John Travolta as Danny Zuko in the 1978 Broadway production of Grease. Lisa (pictured rehearsing with him circa 1977, along with his mother Patsy) was Swayze's biggest supporter. "It was always touching for me to see them together," the show's director, Tom Moore, later said of the pair, who had met at his mom's dance studio and married in 1975. "They were the perfect couple."