Patrick Swayze's Legacy in Movies, TV and More

This 1983 movie was based on the award winning book, The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. This movie made or boosted careers of the cast including from left to right Emilio Esteves, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze and Tom Cruise (not pictured Diane Lane.)

The 1985 and 1986 miniseries, based on Novels by John Jakes, had an all-star cast. It was well received and highly rated both years. Starring alongside Swayze was James Read (Charmed and Days of our Lives) and Kirstie Alley (Charmed and Veronica's Closet.) There was however a third miniseries in the trilogy, it did not include Swayze and was unsuccessful.

The 1987 iconic movie, Dirty Dancing is the movie that everyone most associates with Patrick Swayze. Along with Jennifer Grey, (Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Amazon Original Red Oaks) Swayze danced his way into the hearts of America and many other countries as well. 29 years later it continues to be a success with multiple generations and it has been made into a TV show, given a sequel (of sorts,) made into a musical and a remake is in the works. Also starring, Jerry Orbach (Law and Order and Beauty and the Beast) and Cynthia Rhodes (Flashdance and Staying Alive)

Although he wasn't known for his singing he did manage to make it to the music charts. His song was included in the Platinum soundtrack record and it remains as one of the most successful albums of all time.

In 1989, Road House appealed to a male and female audiences. It taught the audience to be nice until it was time to not be nice. It also had a famous scene that sent the ladies to pause their VCR's. Although it may not be his best acting but it is still televised today.

In 1989, Swayze starred in Next of Kin with Liam Neeson (Taken,) Adam Baldwin (Firefly and Chuck,) Helen Hunt (Mad about You and Twister,) and Bill Paxton (Aliens and Apollo 13) It wasn't as well received as others but is a must see for true Swayze fans.

This duet with Larry Gatlin may have cheesy lyrics but it does have some beautiful harmonies. Patrick had to have been thinking of his own brothers, Don Swayze (True Blood and The Bridge) and Sean Swayze.

In this 1990 movie Patrick Swayze works with Demi Moore (St. Elmo's Fire and Indecent Proposal) and Whoopi Goldberg (The Color Purple, Sister Act and The View) in this blockbuster. It even made pottery wheels sexy.

The 1990 SNL hosting gig and this skit with Chris Farley, who died in 1997, was very popular. It still ranks in the top ten SNL skits in the series 40 plus years.

In 1991, Keanu Reeves (Matrix and John Wick,) Gary Busey (The Buddy Holly Story and Sharknado 4) Lori Petty (A League of Their Own and Orange is the New Black) star in the 1991 Blockbuster with Swayze.

For those who haven't seen it you may not have even heard it before. The 1995 comedy was way different than anything Patrick Swayze had done before. Wesley Snipes (Blade Trilogy), John Leguizamo (Ice Age movies and Moulin Rouge!,) and Stockard Channing (Grease and Six Degree's of Separation) also star in this amusing and touching tale.

This 1995 live action Disney movie is fun for the whole family. Patrick Swayze leads the cast including Nick Stahl (Carnivale,) and Oliver Platte (The Big C and Chicago Med.)

I refer to it as "A funny thing happened on the way to the Monster Truck Show." A comedy including Oscar Winner, Billy Bob Thorton (Sling Blade and Fargo,) Natasha Richardson (Parent Trap and Nell,) and Oscar Winner, Charlize Theron (Monster and Mad Max.)

This 2004 mini series adventure is based on the book. King Solomon's Mine by H. Rider Haggard. It also stars Alison Doody (Indiana Jones Last Crusade and a View to Kill)

This 2004 fun fantasy film was filled with action and comedy. Stars included, James Purefoy (Rome and The Following) Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly and Covert Affairs) and the late Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile and Sin City.)

This 2005 comedy/drama is full of secrets and fun. Actors include Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean Franchise and Johnny English,) Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient and Mission Impossible) and the double Oscar and triple Emmy winner, Maggie Smith (Harry Potter and Downton Abby.)

This 2009 series is arguably the best acting performance of his life. It also launched the career of Travis Fimmel (Vikings and World of Warcraft.) Also in the show is Lindsay Pulsipher (True Blood and The Oregonian) and Lawrence Gillard Jr. (The Wire and The Walking Dead.)

After announcing his stage IV Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis, Patrick wrote an autobiography including his Texas upbringing, dancing career, acting, struggles and the love story between him and his wife, Lisa Niemi.