Swayze had his first staring role with a travelling company, Disney on Parade, as Prince Charming, a very suitable role for Patrick. With an old knee injury from football lingering, Patrick decided it was time to open the playing field and do acting as well. He landed a part as Danny in the Broadway musical Grease which later was made into film, although Swayze did not play a role in this.

Soon he was off to Los Angeles and the screen where he played a dying soldier on the hit TV series Mash as well as doing guest TV appearances. Patrick earned a role in the Outsiders in 1983, a Francis Ford Coppola youth film with great critical response and success at the box office. The following year he continued his success in Red Dawn a cold war classic. Followed by the North and South a TV mini series the next year. Swayze’s career was certainly on the upward swing especially when the big break came with the starring role in Dirty Dancing in 1987. All his talent could be displayed in this role.

His acting and dancing, as well as perhaps a new found one, the ability to write. The song “She’s Like the Wind” in the hit movie was written and performed by Swayze, this went on to be a big hit. Patrick Swayze was now a star in eyes of the world and many young ladies. Soon he was at work again with a macho guy image in the movie Road House another hit for Swayze. He played a passionate role next to Demi Moore in Ghost the 1990 hit that cleared more than two million at the box office.

It was becoming clear that Patrick could play many roles but, even though the 90’s began at the top Swayze felt as though he was stuck in his 80’s style films, that he was out of date, many would argue this. Because of this he found other roles like surfer bodhi in the cop thriller Point Break and even went as far as to play a drag queen in Too Wong Foo. Thanks’ for everything! Julie Newmar, but taking this new step proved difficult.

He then found a role as a self help guru in 2001 playing Jim Cunningham in the drama Donnie Darko audiences found this role for Swayze revitalizing. After, he began to choose parts he liked, playing in the romantic comedy One Last Dance to Keeping Mum the British Comedy.