Editorial

Drawing lessons from life of Patrick Swayze

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Much -- too much -- has been written about stars like Michael Jackson after their untimely demise, but a closer look at their lives finds much worth examination.

Patrick Swayze, who died Tuesday after a noble battle with pancreatic cancer, is one such example.

He turned a natural athleticism and interest in performance into fame and fortune, but was willing to deal with his shortcomings under the resulting glare of public scrutiny.

Born to a choreographer, dancer and dance instructor, in Houston, Swayze played sports as well as ice skating, studying classical ballet and acting in school plays, before taking gymnastics in college.

He took the plunge in 1972, moving to New York for formal dance training at the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey ballet schools, worked for Disney and appeared as a replacement in Grease on Broadway and as Pvt. Sturgis in an episode of M*A*S*H. But most of us remember him in the low-budget 1987 film "Dirty Dancing," which was supposed to go direct to video after a short stint in the theaters, but became a blockbuster hit.

1990s "Ghost" with Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg cemented his fame, but he appeared in various films, TV movies and series' up until this year.

Swayze battled alcoholism, but unlike the stereotypical Hollywood celebrity, stayed married to his first wife, who he met when he was 18 and she was a 14-year-old dance student of his mother. His hit tune, "She's Like the Wind" was inspired by wife Neimi, among those at his bedside when he died.

A chain smoker, he admitted his habit probably contributed to his cancer, but bravely fought the disease, lobbying Congress for more research money and appearing in fund-raisers.

So what lessons should we draw from PatrickSwayze's life?

Make the most of your God-given talents, but don't expect everything to be handed to you. Work hard and expect to pay your dues. Face your problems head on and deal with your faults. Keep on going until the end.

Young people would be wise to avoid the alcohol and tobacco, but they could do worse than looking to Patrick Swayze for inspiration.

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