Movie News

Swayze Projects Continue Despite Cancer

Actor's Physician Dismisses Reports Portraying Him in Grave Condition
AOL Wire Services
Posted: 2008-03-06 07:31:24
Filed Under: Movie News
LOS ANGELES (March 6) - Patrick Swayze's doctor is "optimistic" about his prognosis for battling pancreatic cancer, and the "Dirty Dancing" actor's upcoming cable pilot is still in contention to become a series.

With the writer's strike over, the A&E pilot "The Beast," starring Swayze as an unorthodox FBI agent, is being considered to be turned into a series by the cable network. If that happens, the "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" star hopes to continue to be part of the show, his representative Annett Wolf told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Swayze has been undergoing treatment for the disease, Wolf confirmed in a statement. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 37,680 new cases of pancreatic cancer in 2008 with 34,290 deaths in the U.S.; only five percent of patients live more than five years after being diagnosed.

"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," Swayze's physician Dr. George Fisher said in a statement released by Wolf. "All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic."

Wolf said Swayze, 55, shot "The Beast" pilot last December and isn't currently working on any new projects. A&E issued a statement Wednesday stating "The Beast" was still in contention to become one of the network's new original drama series and wished Swayze a speedy recovery.

Though Swayze has had dozens of film, TV and stage roles, he is best known for starring as dance instructor Johnny Castle opposite Jennifer Grey's character, infatuated teenager Frances "Baby" Houseman, in "Dirty Dancing."

The film, which centers on an unlikely romance between the pair at a 1960s resort in the Catskills of New York, defied expectations to become a massive hit and earned both actors Golden Globe Award nominations.

Swayze performed the song "She's Like the Wind" for the movie's soundtrack and his signature line, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner," has become a pop culture staple.

"Dirty Dancing," which also featured the Oscar-winning song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" -- remains widely popular two decades later and is replayed almost constantly on TV in the United States.

Swayze went on to star alongside Demi Moore in the 1990 tear-jerker romance "Ghost," which also became a huge box office hit and was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture.

Whoopi Goldberg won the Oscar for her supporting role as a spiritual medium who helps Swayze's deceased character, Sam, communicate with his girlfriend from beyond the grave.

The Texas-born Swayze, whose dancer-choreographer mother owned a Houston ballet studio, began performing at an early age and got his start in show business as a dancer and on the stage before landing film and TV roles in Hollywood.

Swayze recently completed work on a pilot episode for a new television drama, "The Beast," playing an FBI agent, which is in contention to become a new drama series on the A&E cable channel, the network said.

"At this time all our thoughts are solely with Patrick and his family. We are all wishing for a speedy recovery to a truly gifted actor," A&E said in a statement.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-03-05 11:59:22
Bookmark

Recent Comments

1 - 15 of 6673
6673 comments

bmnana777 05:22:43 PM Sep 01 2008

Patrick, I am so glad to hear that you are getting better and stronger. I have been one of your biggest fans since dirty dancing. I loved the song you wrote "She's like the Wind". I bought the soundtrack because of that song. I had the pleasure of meeting you several years back when I worked at Meridian Aviation, Inc. in Meridian, MS. You used to fly in there quite reg. when you had your horse ranch in Philadelphia. My husband (Robert Morris) was the manager there and I worked behind the front counter and gave you a set of ear plugs for your wife (on the house) as my sister had previously mention in her posted comment. Our prayers are with you and your wife as you continue to get stronger and better day by day. We look forward to seeing you on the screen again in the near future. Oh yeah, everytime I go out somewhere to eat with my friends and they try to shove us in a corner I respond with .........."I wish Patrick was here, cause he wouldn't allow anyone to put "baby" in a

tlcbears61 04:15:41 PM Sep 01 2008

ok before i was cut off in my previous message ... I was saying my brother in law was over the Meridian Avaition at the time of your visit. I also wanted to finish with saying that u are most deffinitely in alot of prayers of fans and friends and family . Our special prayer is for God to reach in and totally heal you. God Bless ! Cindy and Mom (Pat Malcolm, ms.)

tlcbears61 03:45:42 PM Sep 01 2008

Dear Patrick and Family,My mom and I wanted to tell u How much the movie Ghost touched our hearts during one of our most severe trials in life. My Brother Dean Had just lost his life due to a knife to his heart. (not of his own doing). He was also trying to reveal something of the same nature as u portrayed in the movie. Although bitter sweet as it was, It gave continued hope to our shattered lifes. He was only 20 yrs old . This happened on Nov. 6, 1989, Norfolk, Va. This can be seen on a Hard Copy show with Diana Dimond and Jerry Burke. My mom says u just have to play the part of Dean if they ever bring this story to TV. Can u sing? He Loved Christian music . He had just recently given his Life to the Lord. Of That we are So Very Thankful!!! p.s. You also met my sister at Meridian Avaition while requesting earplugs . You wanted to pay for and She said," oh no, please take these on the house. i could not charge u . Barb's husband Robert Morris was over the airport at the

TessSyr 04:22:09 AM May 28 2008

Thinking of you with hope and prayer..

Candyshop02j 08:19:55 PM Apr 26 2008

my name is alissa and the best acter is PATRICK SWAYZE and no one can or ever will amount to anything like hem

CBTrainerMom 07:23:38 PM Apr 06 2008

My Husband Jimmy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 3 years ago,he is only 39 years old , he had to have a total pancreadectomy . He wanted me to write to you to see if it posible to comunicate with you further, please write back.
God Bless,
Christine

cbtrainermom@aol.com
203-525-3746

CBTrainerMom 07:21:14 PM Apr 06 2008

cancer 3 years ago, he had a total pancreadectomy and is now cancer free, He wanted me to write to you to see if it posible to comunicate with you further, please write back.
God Bless,
Christine

cbtrainermom@aol.com
203-525-3746

Soslow50 01:38:32 PM Apr 03 2008

MY FAMILY HOPES YOU ARE DOING A LITTLE BETTER. YOU BOTH ARE IN OUR PRAYERS STILL.. WE HOPE YOU ARE AROUND A LONG TIME TO MAKE MORE GREAT MOVIES TO WATCH.FROM DOLLYS COUNTRY, THE BRACKINS

LEON AT PLAY 12:02:59 AM Mar 25 2008

Hello Mr Swayze, May God be with you and your family during this tring time. Keep your faith strong and hopes up, I will be praying for you and your family. Oh by the way you can't leave yet your a very good actor and I've yet to meet/see you in person, at least at a glance anyway. best wishes. Anna

PLog121372 11:55:59 PM Mar 19 2008

Type your own comment herehttp://www.isecureonline.com/Reports/HSI/WHSIJ313/ Patrick check this site out may be very helpful to you.

Dgtss123 02:40:16 PM Mar 17 2008

HI PATRICK, SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU HAVE CANCER. IM PRAYING FOR YOUR HEALING AND ALSO FOR SALVATION FOR YOU AND WIFE. WE ARE ONLY HERE FOR A SHORT TIME. ITS WHERE WE ARE GOING FOR ETERNITY THAT MATTERS. YOU REMIND ME OF MY SON THAT PASSED AWAY 10 YEARS AGO. HE WAS 25 YRS. OLD. HE HAD A WRECK ON HIS HARLEY. GOD HAD ALREADY TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO DIE. HE IS WITH JESUS. GOD TOLD ME THAT TOO. HE LOOKED A LOT LIKE YOU. I WATCHED YOUR MOVIES DIRTY DANCING AND ROADHOUSE OVER AND OVER BECAUSE YOU REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF MY SON. IT SEEMED TO COMFORT ME ABOUT MY SON. I WILL KEEP PRAYING FOR YOUR RECOVERY AND SALVATION.AND FOR GOD TO GIVE YOU AND YOUR WIFE STRENGH TO GET THROUGH THIS. GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU WITH CHRIST LOVE JOYCE

garynett 08:49:40 PM Mar 16 2008

Patrick Swayze you are a woderful actor and i know you will fight this cancer like
everything you do in life,i will be praying for you and your family.hang in there .dirty dancing,and ghost are two of my most favorite movies.take care,.from one of your fans,nett

wodarskidede 07:43:10 PM Mar 16 2008

patrick, look into the frog venom that kills 40% of pancreatic tumors ini think Germany. dorene wodarski erie. Pa.

sorrelyst 06:26:50 PM Mar 16 2008

YOU BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. YOU WILL ALSO WIN IN THIS ! YOUR WONDERFUL FAMILY IS YOUR TEAM THAT WILL WILL HELP YOU BEAT THIS. ALWAYS STAY POSITIVE. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE A BEAUTIFUL TEAM!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ...."NEVER GIVE UP". YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS EACH DAY. THIS IS A JOURNEY YOU ARE ON AND GOD IS YOUR CO-PILOT. TALK TO HIM ..HE WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH IT.

GOD BLESS YOU,

SHERON TOWNE......4:19 SUNDAY 3/16/08

Teacherdeendeen 11:18:13 PM Mar 14 2008

Patrick,
With your strength and spirit, you can beat this thing. Trust in God as your healer and reach that place within that you control. I know if anyone can beat this cancer, it is you!! You have brought such happiness and hopefulness into the lives of your fans. I loved you in "The Outsiders." I adored you in "Dirty Dancing." I cried at the end of "Ghost" and cried the whole 45 minute drive home from the theatre. Your acting touches lives. Your sweet spirit and caring heart shines through in everything you do. Thank you for dedicating your life to making all of ours more enjoyable. You are going to beat this beast and continue making us laugh, cry, and adore you. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
A 42-Year-Old Fan and Friend from Mississippi

1 - 15 of 6673
6673 comments

Add your own Comments

Latest Movie Headlines

    No current headlines. Please try again later.