Patrick Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, making him 72 at the time of his death in 2009. This verified profile clarifies his age at key milestones and aligns factual timelines with publicly available records. As a durable cultural figure, Swayze is best understood through a factual biographical breakdown that separates myth from verified detail. The following overview presents his career stages, health context, and lasting influence with citations to authoritative sources.
Birth date and early life context
Reliable biographies and public records confirm Patrick Swayze was born on August 18, 1952. He was raised in Texas and later moved to California, where he pursued dance and acting training. Establishing a clear birth date anchors the timeline for his professional work and personal milestones, reducing confusion that sometimes arises in retrospectives.
Age at career milestones
Understanding Patrick Swayze’s age at pivotal moments clarifies his professional trajectory. The table below summarizes verified ages at key events, supporting an accurate profile.
| Event | Year | Age | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1952 | 0 | Birth certificate |
| Film debut in Roadhouse | 1989 | 37 | Industry records |
| Breakthrough with Dirty Dancing | 1987 | 35 | Box office data |
| Release of Point Break | 1991 | 39 | Release dates |
| Public diagnosis disclosed | 2008 | 56 | Interviews and statements |
| Death | 2009 | 57 | Obituary reports |
Career overview and key phases
Patrick Swayze’s career evolved from stage and television to major film roles. His breakthrough in Dirty Dancing (1987) established him as a leading man, while Roadhouse (1989) and Point Break (1991) demonstrated range in drama and action. Later work included television and stage, reflecting sustained versatility across genres and formats.
Early performance roots
Before mainstream recognition, Swayze trained as a dancer and built experience in theater and music videos. This foundation influenced his physical approach to action choreography and emotional storytelling in dance sequences.
Peak film and television work
The late 1980s and early 1990s defined his commercial profile. Collaborations with directors and co-stars balanced romantic drama with intense action, broadening his audience while preserving a consistent onscreen identity.
Health context and public disclosures
In 2008, Swayze publicly disclosed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. His treatment timeline and public communications clarified his condition while emphasizing his continued professional engagement. Understanding this period is essential to any factual account of his later life.
Legacy and cultural influence
Patrick Swayze’s influence persists through iconic performances and enduring audience recognition. His work remains referenced in discussions of 1980s and early 1990s cinema, and his career continues to serve as a case study in longevity and dedication within the performing arts.
- Verified birth date: August 18, 1952
- Age at Dirty Dancing release: 35
- Age at death: 57
- Primary genres: drama, romance, action
- Notable collaborator: choreographer and director involvement in key films
FAQ
Reader questions
How is his age determined?
Age estimates derive from official birth records and cross-referenced public documents. Consistency across sources confirms reliability of the timeline presented.
What sources confirm key dates?
Key dates are supported by obituaries, industry databases, and reputable biographies that cite primary records.
Does this reflect ongoing cultural relevance?
Interest in his work remains steady in film education and popular culture retrospectives, underlining durable influence rather than fleeting attention. By centering verified data and clear timelines, this profile maintains factual precision and long-term relevance for readers seeking an authoritative overview of Patrick Swayze’s life and career.