Actor Patrick Swayze Loses His Battle with Pancreatic Cancer, He Was 57

Actor Patrick Swayze, starred in films such as "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," lost his battle with pancreatic cancer  Monday. He was 57 years old. His publicist Annett Wolf said, "Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months."

Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas. His father was an engineering draftsman; his mother was a ballet dancer and later the director of the Houston Ballet Dance Company. She led her son into the dancing world, which wasn't always easy for a Texas male. Indeed, the young Swayze played football, practiced martial arts and was an accomplished diver and track star while growing up, though he was good enough at dance to earn a college scholarship.

After an early professional job playing Prince Charming in an early '70s version of "Disney on Ice," Swayze returned to Houston, where he met Lisa Niemi, a student of his mother's. The two were married in 1975 and moved to New York to pursue their careers. Source: CNN

Patrick Swayze is survived by his wife, Lisa, of over 30 years and his mother, Patsy. Hollywood has lost a great actor. He will be missed.