Summary

Patrick Swayzewas one of the delineate stars of the ' 80s and ' XC , starring in several movies and TV appearance . Although his calling was sadly cut short when he passed away in 2009 , he pull up stakes behind a legacy of both critically acclaim pic and religious cult classic . Swayze made his screen first appearance in 1979 and rose to fame presently after . During his 30 - twelvemonth calling , he garnered three Golden Globe nominating address for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy , wrote and recorded a Top - Ten hit for theDirty Dancingsoundtrack , got a sensation on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , and was named People ’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1991 .

Swayze was once dubbed the " power of the sleepers " because of the unexpected achiever of many of his film . Despite sometimes being stereotype for his good looks , Swayze ’s filmography shows thathe was a surprisingly transformative actor who could deliver neat carrying into action across a motley of genre . His films still have a lasting legacy today and are often being make over or reimagined , as reckon with 2015’sPoint Breakand2024’sRoad House . This continued interest in Swayze ’s films shows just how impactful his short vocation was .

10Red Dawn (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%

Red Dawnfollows a group of small - town teens fend for their home from invading forces during the early day of World War III . This Cold War parable featured almost whole real explosions and was noted by theGuinness Book of Recordsto have the most act of violence in any film at the fourth dimension of its release . review from critic were miscellaneous , but audiences loved the movie , which gross $ 38 million against a budget of $ 17 million .

In the year since , Red Dawnhas tempt many other pieces of media , proving its cultural implication . A remake asterisk Chris Hemsworth was release in 2012 , with the story reimagined to draw North Korean forces alternatively of Russian . It highlights the eternal appeal and relevance ofRed Dawneven decades after , which is a plebeian feature of many Swayze labor .

Red Dawn , starring the likes of Patrick Swayze , Charlie Sheen , and Lea Thompson , think World War III becoming a reality and a grouping of teenagers known as Gulo luscus fighting back against the Soviets . The motion picture encounter mixed reviews but is illustrious for being the first PG-13 rated motion-picture show to be released in the United States . In 2012 , a remake was liberate starring Chris Hemsworth .

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9The Beast (2009)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 61%

Swayze ’s final filmed execution was in the short - survive but much - loved A&E seriesThe Beast . It star Swayze as a veteran FBI agent being look into for misconduct and explored the experience of undercover federal agent knead in Chicago . Although the show had consistently miserable Nielsen ratings and only last one time of year , many critic view Swayze ’s purpose as Agent Charles Barker to be the proficient operation of his vocation .

Although Swayze is more well - known for his movie character than his work on TV , he also asterisk inThe Renegadeson ABC . The show ran for six sequence in 1983 .

RevisitingThe Beastis bittersweet , as Swayze was already in the innovative stages of pancreatic cancer while shoot . However , it remains a standout project for the actor that allowed him to show off a new side of himself . Additionally , as few catch the show , it ’s one of Swayze ’s more underrated roles .

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

8Road House (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 43%

Road Housestars Swayze as a soldierlike artwork expert and professional bouncer who protect a small - town stripe from a corrupt businessman . The motion-picture show was critically panned when it was first released and even bring in five Golden Raspberry nominations . However , like many motion picture of the ' fourscore and ' 90s , it has since been accepted as a dear cult classic .

In the years since its release , Road Househas found a home on cable television set and grossed $ 203 million to date , encompassing house media and its original box bureau discharge of $ 61.6 million . Swayze ’s operation , which draw on his terpsichore background to help him perform soldierly humanities stunts , is particularly telling and was a Brobdingnagian selling point of the moving-picture show when it first released . The existence of the 2024 remake shows that even movie dubbed " so spoilt , it ’s good " by critics can still have an impact .

With a story and screenplay by David Lee Henry and direction from Rowdy Herrington , Road House is a 1989 Action release asterisk Patrick Swayze in the lead part . Swayze measure into the shoes of James Dalton , a bouncer that is hired by a gild owner to supply security for the establishment .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

7To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48%

To Wong Foo , Thanks for Everything ! Julie Newmaris another cult classic in Swayze ’s filmography . It surveil the thespian alongside Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo as a trio of road - stumble drag queen whose automobile breaks down in the middle of nowhere . The film got mixed reappraisal upon release , butthe three leads were praise for their tender and funny execution . Additionally , To Wong Foois notable for centering its tale around drag queens at a fourth dimension when there were n’t many depictions of them present in media .

For Swayze , To Wong Foowas an intentional step away from his traditional amatory and action role to full - on funniness . In this way , it ’s a must - see evolution of Swayze ’s career . For his character in the film , he was nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 1996 Golden Globes .

Swayze ’s Colorado - star John Leguizamo receive a Golden Globe nomination as well , for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy .

Patrick Swayze from Dirty Dancing & Patrick Swayze from Point Break

Custom image by Yailin Chacon

611:14 (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

One of the most underrated motion picture in Swayze ’s filmography is11:14 , a neo - noir black comedy that conform to five different storylines as they converge unexpectedly one dark at 11:14 . Upon its release , the flick was celebrated for its unique geomorphological approach , employing flashbacks to great result . Perhaps amazingly , the picture ’s 92 % rating on Rotten Tomatoes makes it the " fresh " film of Swayze ’s career .

However,11:14had an highly limited theatrical release before going to videodisc and never retrieve much of an interview as a result . It may be more critically acclaimed than some of Swayze ’s other function , but it has yet to reach cult classic status . As11:14was seen by so few , it does n’t have the ethnic relevancy ofSwayze ’s more well - known hits and never really became a substantial part of the pop civilisation conversation .

5The Outsiders (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%

Swayze ’s breakthrough role came inThe Outsiders . establish on the beloved S.E. Hinton novel of the same name and directed by Francis Ford Coppola , the film was a box business office success , grossing over three fourth dimension its $ 10 million budget . Swayze ’s role as Darry Curtis , the unofficial leader of the greaser work party , jumpstarted his vocation as a leading man , reach it one of the actor ’s seminal performances .

The ensemble plaster cast ofThe Outsidersalso include several other future movie stars , such as Tom Cruise , Rob Lowe , Emilio Estevez , and Matt Dillon , which adds to the film ’s prayer . WhileThe Outsiders ' Rotten Tomatoes critics score is impressive in its own rightfulness at 70 % , the audience score is even higher at 82 % . The moving picture is considered a classic come - of - age story that continues to invigorate Lord today – a musical adaptation afford on Broadway this year .

4Point Break (1991)

Point Breakstars Swayze as a surfer / cant robber who guide an FBI factor , play by Keanu Reeves , into his entanglement of offense . The film take reward of Swayze ’s leading adult male charm as well as his experience as a stuntman . Swayze execute all of his own combat scenes in the movieand also filmed the surfboarding and skydiving sequence himself . In the operation , Swayze crack four ribs , makingPoint Breaka stellar case of his allegiance to his workplace .

Kathryn Bigelow ’s visceral directing way and the interpersonal chemistry between Swayze and Reeves made the film a hit , grossing a global total of $ 83.5 million . While study a success at the sentence , Point Breakhas arguably become even more pop since its button , take to the 2015 remake . However , the more late film received mostly negative reviews , highlighting the importance of Swayze ’s work in the master copy .

3Dirty Dancing (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

Swayze garner his first Golden Globe nomination for his execution as Johnny Castle inDirty Dancing , undoubtedly one of the actor ’s most beloved films . As a young man , Swayze meditate classical ballet , andDirty Dancingallowed him to showcase those skills on screen . The film also give him a chance to highlight his melodic talent . Swayze ’s song " She ’s Like the Wind , " which he co - wrote with Stacy Widelitz , was boast on theDirty Dancingsoundtrackand became a mainstream hit .

All tell apart , pestiferous Dancingmanages to lionise everything that made Swayze a star , from his charismatic appeal to his strong-arm power . With this in mind , it ’s no surprise that the movie impress at the box office , becoming one of the highest - gross films of 1987 and earn $ 214 million worldwide . Dirty Dancingspawned a veritable franchise , including a prequel , remake , stage adaptation , and more .

Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey , Dirty Dancing follows Frances " Baby " Houseman , a young char on holiday at a summer holiday resort with her family who becomes the unwitting competition partner of one of the resort ’s terpsichore instructor , Johnny . As Baby and Johnny ’s relationship deepens over the course of the summertime , the dislike of Baby ’s family , specially her father , jeopardize to shoot them apart .

Red Dawn Movie Poster

Red Dawn, starring the likes of Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, and Lea Thompson, imagines World War III becoming a reality and a group of teenagers known as Wolverines fighting back against the Soviets. The film received mixed reviews but is notable for being the first PG-13 rated film to be released in the United States. In 2012, a remake was released starring Chris Hemsworth.

2Donnie Darko (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

Swayze was cast against his usual charming , larger-than-life type inDonnie Darko . In the film , he playact Jim Cunningham , a motivational speaker with a dark secret . Swayze ’s ominous performance stand in crude contrast to his other more romantic and comedic roles . However , itfits perfectly into the heightened , surreal world ofDonnie Darkoand remains a dainty for those who enjoy seeing Swayze take on a new form of dissemble challenge .

Donnie Darkohad only moderate commercial achiever when it was released , probably due to its sensible subject matter . However , it was an all - out hit with critic . It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival as well as three Independent Spirit Awards . Donnie Darkois certified impudent on Rotten Tomatoes , with its 87 % critics score one of Swayze ’s high in his calling .

After tumultuous teen Donnie Darko ( Jake Gyllenhaal ) wakes on a local golf game course after a night of sleepwalking , he has a imagination of a Isle of Man in a rabbit suit state him that the world will terminate in 28 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . return home , Donnie figure that a jet locomotive engine has fallen on his bedroom in the night , and begins to feel increasingly detached from realism . scramble to make sense of the bizarre and unexplainable events that have altered his life , Donnie finds himself unravelling a convoluted vane of disaster and fate .

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With a story and screenplay by David Lee Henry and direction from Rowdy Herrington, Road House is a 1989 Action release starring Patrick Swayze in the lead role. Swayze steps into the shoes of James Dalton, a bouncer that is hired by a club owner to provide security for the establishment.

1Ghost (1990)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

Ghostis Swayze ’s most iconic film , andhis role as Sam Wheat elevated him from being a respected player to a lawful picture show star . As Sam , Swayze got to show off his more tender side , proving that he could deliver dramatic play , action , and commiseration in adequate measure . While the pottery bike setting is a standout , Swayze ’s total operation is to be celebrate .

The moving picture take in Swayze another Golden Globe nominating address for Best Lead Actor . Ghostwas also propose for the Academy Award for Best Picture . Swayze ’s co - headliner Whoopi Goldberg get ahead the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the cinema , and author Bruce Joel Rubin charter plate gold as well . Ghostis the most critically successful motion-picture show ofPatrick Swayze ’s vocation , but it ’s also one of his most darling , cementing the actor ’s legacy the elbow room he deserves .

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The Outsiders is Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age drama novel. Two teen gangs, the Socials and the Greasers find themselves at irreconcilable odds when one of the Social’s boys is killed in a brawl. Following the event, the Greasers head into hiding while some of them seek redemption for their past crimes.

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Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing follows Frances “Baby” Houseman, a young woman on vacation at a summer resort with her family who becomes the unwitting competition partner of one of the resort’s dance instructors, Johnny. As Baby and Johnny’s relationship deepens over the course of the summer, the disapproval of Baby’s family, especially her father, threatens to tear them apart.

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After troubled teen Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes on a local golf course after a night of sleepwalking, he has a vision of a man in a rabbit suit telling him that the world will end in 28 days. Returning home, Donnie sees that a jet engine has fallen on his bedroom in the night, and begins to feel increasingly detached from reality. Scrambling to make sense of the bizarre and unexplainable events that have altered his life, Donnie finds himself unravelling a tangled web of disaster and fate.