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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2009 > September > 15 > Entry
Patrick Swayze, 1952-2009
I would be lying if I said I was a particular fan of Patrick Swayze’s, and if I said I thought he was a particularly great actor.
However, I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t saddened by his passing, and if I said I didn’t understand why he appealed so highly to so many people. He always struck me as being very gracious and genuine. He had a certain kind of charisma that could appeal equally to men and women. Just look around the Internet at the tributes. He’s remembered not only for Ghost and Dirty Dancing, but Point Break and Road House, among others.
To me, Swayze was more of a great personality than a great actor. The review of Ghost in Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide reads, “Swayze runs the gamut of expressions from A to B.” That’s a bit cutting, perhaps, but not entirely off base. Swayze’s work in Ghost, or any of his other movies, was never of any great range.
Nevertheless, Swayze absolutely sold that role in Ghost. He brought conviction to that part. He made me me and many other people buy a story that really was pretty silly sometimes when you get down to it. The same could be said for Dirty Dancing. But more than anyone or anything else, Swayze sold both of those films. He was the main reason those movies were huge hits, and why they still resonate for a lot of people many years later.
Swayze had his limitations as an actor, but to his great credit, he knew his limitations and worked well within them. Not many other actors could have made “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” an oft-quoted line, but Swayze did it. Swayze carved out a distinct corner for himself in the movies, and it’s sad that corner is empty now.
What was your favorite Swayze movie? What was the key to his appeal for you?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Tributes
Comments
By Tanya Wells
September 17, 2009 1:11 AM | Link to this
I have always liked Patrick Swayze as an actor. Though not my favorite actor, I don’t remember not enjoying something I watched him in. I think I liked him so much because of the person he seemed so geniunely to be outside of his movies, and despite the role he was playing, that same genuine, personal character trait was present. When the world learned of Patrick’s diagnosis I had just lost my grandfather to the same cancer only a few months earlier. I was devasted to think that one day Patrick may have the same fate, as I knew what devastation this particular cancer could cause in such a relatively short time. I was glad to learn Patrick, too, was able to have his family with him in the end and I will pray for their emotional healing as they rest in the fact that he is not only in a better place, but this world is a better place for having had Patrick Swayze in it … not just as an actor, but as a truly unique personality in a world too often lost in its own selfishness.By Jim
September 15, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
Patrick was cool. RIP.By nullFran H
September 15, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this
Ditto, famous word. Patrick I loved all your movies. You were so intertaining . boy, could you dance. To the great actor and friend, keep on dancing in heaven. You will never be forgotten.By gail
September 15, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
RIP Patrick. I loved you from the first time I ever saw you in a movie to the very end. He was very good at what he did and he made his part believable and whole. He was truly a great person who has been through alot in his life. Now he is pain free and whole again. I will miss seeing him and his movies. I enjoyed the beast series and as sick as he was i have to say i believe he did a darn good job. I hope they re-run the series. or make them avaible to get. Trully remarkable guy. From noone but baby in a corner to Ditto. He will be very much missed. I have most all of his movies. I hope his wife finds peace and happiness in knowing how great of a person he was and how hard he fought.By ME
September 15, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
I totally enjoyed watching Patrick. He was beautiful to look at and he could really dance. He’s one man that could put on a dress and be confident about it - Too Wong Foo - That’s one of the fun roles for Swayze. I also remember his musical one hit wonder “She’s Like the Wind” and oh that great smile. My father died of the same cancer what a horrible sickness he was Patrick was so strong - I was appalled to see his picture on the front of a tabloid with “Swayze goes home to die” … seriously … how sad. Why did they have to do that and show how sick he and thin he had gotten. That is not how any of us what to remember him. I’ll keep pictures of him Dirty Dancing and catching my young eye. You hit on the head Eric … he was genuine. We’ll miss him!By Rijo
September 15, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this
Patrick Swayze was a great actor in comparison to those who’d like to call themselves the same…he sold every part he ever took on to relay a story to the waiting public. He’s roles were believable and were received by a diverse audience… to say he was not a great actor is like saying taylor swift can actually sing…live performances say NOT! Patrick Swayze was here for 57 years and made a lasting impression that will always be highly regarded…because he was one of the “good ones”… RIP Swayze… u were a great actor!By Kevin J
September 15, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
Toss up between Point Break and Roadhouse. From Roadhouse: “Man, this toilet is worse than the one that we worked in Dayton.” Why his appeal? A kindness that was not overwhelmed with macho. RIP in Patrick.By Allie D.
September 15, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
I echo your sentiments here. He was definitely one of those guys who had a limited range but was so darn likable it didn’t matter. I have to say, he was lucky to have lived as long as he did with the type of cancer he had, and I admire the fact that he kept working pretty much right up until the end and fought like heck. I’m reminded a bit of Farrah Fawcett’s death in that way.By Rabbit
September 15, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this
Not only will he be remembered for his quote in Dirty Dancing but also his counter quote in Ghost, “Ditto”. Great actor but he is no longer in pain now from the 2 years he had been suffering with cancer. May he rest in peace.