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Image: Patrick Swayze.

Fall

Patrick Swayze

Actor never put baby in the corner and wasn't afraid to don a dress for the many films throughout his career.

/ 18 PHOTOS
SKATETOWN USA, Patrick Swayze, 1979, (c) Columbia Pictures / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Skate king

Patrick Swayze made his film debut in 1979's "Skatetown, U.S.A.," which co-starred Scott Baio, Maureen McCormick, Flip Wilson and Billy Barty and had the tag line, "The Rock and Roller Disco Movie of the Year!"

UNCOMMON VALOUR, Patrick Swayze, 1983, (c)Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

Soldier's story

Swayze co-starred opposite Gene Hackman and Robert Stack in 1983's "Uncommon Valor," a story about a group of Vietnam vets who reunite to return to Vietnam to rescue one man who was left behind.

THE OUTSIDERS, C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, 1983, (c)Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection

Grease is the word

Francis Ford Coppola featured a bunch of hot young actors including Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and Rob Lowe in 1983's "The Outsiders." Based on S.E. Hinton's novel, the film tells the story of a group of greasers who get challenged by the rich "socs."

NORTH AND SOUTH BOOK II, Patrick Swayze, Lesley-Anne Down, 1986, (c)Warner Bros. Television/courtesy Everett Collection

Keeping it civil

Swayze starred opposite Lesley-Anne Down in the 1985 TV miniseries "North and South." The series told the story of two friends, one from the north and one from the south, who struggled to stay friends during the Civil War.

YOUNGBLOOD, Rob Lowe (l.), Patrick Swayze (r.), 1986, (c)MGM/courtesy Everett Collection

Hunks on ice

Swayze starred opposite Rob Lowe in 1986's hockey drama, "Youngblood."

DIRTY DANCING, Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, 1987, (c)Vestron Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

The time of his life

Jennifer Grey and Swayze created a coming-of-age classic with 1987's "Dirty Dancing." Though the stars reportedly didn't get along off screen, they managed to make sparks anyway.

STEEL DAWN, Patrick Swayze (c), 1987, (c)Vestron Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Apocalypse now

Swayze starred as a warrior in a post-apocalyptic world who wanders through the desert until he comes upon a group of settlers who need his protection in 1987's "Steel Dawn."

ROAD HOUSE, Patrick Swayze, 1989, (c) United Artists/courtesy Everett Collection

More than a doorman

Swayze stars as a tough bouncer hired to take care of the bullies who rule a rough bar in 1989's "Roadhouse."

GHOST, Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, 1990, (c) Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

Hungers for her touch

In 1990's "Ghost," Swayze starred as a man who comes back from the dead to protect his wife (Demi Moore) from his killer.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Patrick Swayze, Chris Farley, 1975-. Chippendale's Sketch.

Shake it

On "Saturday Night Live," Swayze poked fun at his fit body in a skit with Chris Farley where they competed to become Chippendales dancers.

FATHER HOOD, Sabrina Lloyd, Brian Bonsall, Patrick Swayze, 1993, (c)Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Daddy time

In 1993's "Father Hood," Swayze stars as the father of two young crooks (Sabrina Lloyd and Brian Bonsall) and plans a big heist that could set them up for life.

TO WONG FOO THANKS FOR EVERYTHING JULIE NEWMAR, John Leguizamo, Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, 1995

What a drag

In 1995's "To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar," John Leguizamo, Wesley Snipes and Swayze starred as drag queens who get stranded in a small town while traveling across the country.

Image: Patrick Swayze, Lisa Niemi

He's a star

Swayze kisses his wife, Lisa Niemi, after the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Aug. 18, 1997. The couple married in 1975.

Susan Sterner / AP
Patrick Swayze Appears At Borders Bookstore

On the mic

Swayze appears at Borders Bookstore to sign copies of his movie "One Last Dance" on Aug. 24, 2005, in New York. The 2003 film tells the story of three veteran dancers who reunite to pay tribute to their dead mentor.

Bryan Bedder / Getty Images North America
9th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards - Show

Perfect couple

Swayze and his wife Lisa speak onstage during the Ninth Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on on Feb. 17, 2007.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
Image: Patrick Swayze

'The Beast'

Patrick Swayze stars as an FBI agent in the A&E TV series, "The Beast." Swayze filmed episodes of the crime drama while undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Image: Patrick Swayze, Lisa Niemi

Happy family

Swayze and his wife pose with their dogs, poodle Lucas, left, and Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy Kumasai at their ranch in New Mexico on May 13, 2009.

Brian Braff / WKT Public Relations
Image: An actor signs a book of condolence for US actor Swayze in Berlin

In memoriam

An actor in the musical "Dirty Dancing -- Das Original Live On Stage," signs a book of condolence for Swayze in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Tobias Schwarz / X01295
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