Patrick Swayze Passes Away at 57

Actor Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi pose at the Portrait Studio during the AFI Fest 2005 presented by Audi at the Arclight Theatre on November 5, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Getty Images)more pics »Actor Patrick Swayze, beloved by movie fans the world over for his iconic roles in movies such as Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and Point Break, has passed away today after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, according to his publicist.

"Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," said in statement by his publicist, Annett Wolf.

Actor Patrick Swayze kisses his wife, actress Lisa Niemi.
(Getty Images) First coming to national attention in the 1985 Civil War miniseries North and South, he then went on to star in some of the classic movies of the 1980s, including The Outsiders, Red Dawn, Road House, and, of course, Dirty Dancing. Born the son of a dancer and a choreographer, Swayze was able to bring both a physicality and sardonic wit to his roles that helped make him one of the A-list actors of the late 80s and early 90s.

He had recently returned to the small screen, working on the A&E series The Beast. During the shooting of the series, Swayze reportedly declined to use painkillers, thinking the medication would take the edge off his performance.

There's no word on when a service will be. Patrick Swayze was 57 years old.

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