The world of entertainment lost one of its nicest stars when Patrick Swayze lost his 20 month battle with Pancreatic Cancer on Monday evening at the all too young age of 57.  I can’t say I was shocked when I heard the news since I knew as well as everyone else, that it was going to happen someday, I guess I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

Swayze will forever be immortalized in roles such as that of the dance instructor in n, you know? 1987′s Dirty Dancing, which became a huge hit and for recording “She’s Like The Wind” which was featured on the film’s soundtrack, and for his role opposite Demi Moore in the 1990 smash hit Ghost, in which he plays a ghost (hence the catchy title) who returns to protect his grieving girlfriend (Demi Moore) from his killer.  Of course, there was the film The Outsiders in 1980, where he was first introduced to movie-goers thanks to Francis Ford Coppola.  Then, he tried his hand at being an action hero in such films as Roadhouse and Point Break.

But, probably his most underrated and under appreciated role of all came in 1995′s campy classic To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar in which Swayze along with co-stars Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo portray drag queens on a road trip to self-discovery.  But unfortunately, this film hardly gets its due for what it is, which, in MY opinion is a brilliantly acted and directed film, but because of the subject matter, seems to get swept under the rug all too often.

Sadly in March 2008, he had the unfortunate task of announcing to the world and his fans that he had pancreatic cancer.  Yet by July of that same year, he was in good enough health to begin working 12-hour days (while still undergoing chemotherapy) on a TV series, The Beast for the A&E cable network starring as an undercover FBI agent which premiered in January 2009 to 2.4 million viewers and it seemed he was on his way to re-inventing himself. The show ran for 13 episodes, but the long working days ultimately took its toll on Swayze, who started missing shows and the cable network chose not to renew it for a second season without their headliner. Early this year, he told ABC’s Barbara Walters that he hoped to live long enough “until they find a cure,” but he was “not going to chase the idea of staying alive….I’ll be here, or I won’t.”

He may no longer be with us, but his body of work, and unwillingness to give up the fight will be an inspiration for generations to come.

May God Bless and Keep You, Patrick Swayze…

And Until Next Time…

I AM…

Michael Queenstown

Follow me on Twitter!!