Movies | Pop Culture | 80s | 90s
10 Things You Didn't Know About Patrick Swayze That Will Make You Love Him Even More
Patrick Swayze was an absolute gem. He made so many classic movies that people still love to this day, and it's honestly heartbreaking that he passed away so young.
He did however, live his life to the fullest, and there are are actually a lot of things you may not have known about the wonderful actor.
He had always wanted to be in the Olympics
When he was young he was training with Olympic level coaches so he could join the U.S. gymnastics team, but it didn't end up working out.
Swayze also considered playing football
He was very athletic, and before he focused in on gymnastics and dance, he considered playing football. He actually ended up injuring his knee so his football dreams were dashed. Luckily he was able to rehabilitate his knee.
He attended ballet schools
Swayze studied dance from a young age, continnuing on through the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet schools in New York City.
He almost wasn't in Dirty Dancing
Apparently he was 'too old' for the role at 34, and also Jennifer Grey wasn't his biggest fan after working together on Red Dawn. Luckily it all worked out, and their chemistry was undeniable.
He was in a beer commercial inspired by Saturday Night Fever
It was for a Pabst Blue Ribbon and he dances to some fantastic disco songs while wearing a long white scarf and wonderfully fluffy hair.
There are even more facts you didn't know about Patrick Swayze on the next page!
He used to work at Disneyland and often played Prince Charming
He even once danced with actress Michelle Pfeiffer when she was playing Cinderella!
His name is used in over 300 hip hop songs
After Ghost came out, a lot of rappers and hip hop artists would reference "Swayze" to mean leaving or gone. Even The Notorious B.I.G. used the name!
He married his high school sweetheart
Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swayze were happily married right up until his passing.
He was bullied in high school so his dad helped him out
Swayze's father knew that there was a bullying issue, and after five kids jumped his son he stepped in. He asked that the coach allow the boys to fight fairly, one at a time, instead of all at once. Swayze beat all the kids one by one .
He was a prankster
On the set of Red Dawn, Swyaze would hide M60 explosives in the toilet of the director, John Millius and activate them while he was using the restroom.