PATRICK SWAYZE - BIOGRAPHY

Patrick Swayze, an actor of warmth, charm and sex appeal, not to mention a box office draw all over the world, has won audiences hearts in hits like Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Swayze continues to amaze and impress audiences and critics with his diverse roles in comedy, drama and action films.

Swayze will next be seen starring alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Charlize Theron in Miramax's comedy, Wakin' Up in Reno. Directed by Jordan Brady and scripted by Brent Briscoe and Mark Fauser, Wakin' Up in Reno tells the story of two Arkansas redneck couples' enlightening journey to a monster truck show.

Also upcoming, Swayze will play an American officer who is genuinely trying to help relocated Vietnamese refugees in director Timothy Bui's The Green Dragon. Described as an epic vision of the Vietnamese experience during the 1960's, The Green Dragon received critical acclaim at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Also screened in competition at this year's Sundance Film Festival to enthusiastic audiences, Swayze starred as a self-help TV evangelist in the fantasy thriller Donnie Darko. This unique project combines elements of mystical fantasy and science fiction with teenage romance. Directed by first-time director Richard Kelly, Swayze joins an all-star cast including Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Noah Wyle and producer Drew Barrymore.

Swayze is currently in production and starring with his wife, Lisa Niemi, in the feature Without A Word, based on the original award-winning play, which they wrote and starred in. Without a Word is a drama abou three former dancers who have one last chance to discover a dream they lost and face their demons by dancing again. Niemi, who adpated the play for film, will make her feature directorial debut.

Swayze received a Golden Globe nomination for his charming performance as Vida Boheme in Universal Pictures' hit film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. He starred as one of three beautiful drag queens in this heartwarming and hilarious cross-country journey. The film also starred Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo and was directed by Beeban Kidron.

Swayze has also proven that he is a talented singer/songwriter. His hit single "She's Like The Wind", which he wrote and performed for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack quickly rose to number three on the pop charts and was number one around the world. Swayze also contributed to the Next Of Kin soundtrack with "Brothers", a song he co-wrote and performed with Larry Gatlin in 1989.

Swayze grew up in Houston, Texas and was offered both athletic and dance scholarships when he graduated from high school. His father encouraged his athletic side, and he excelled in gymnastics, diving, track and football. He also started acting in high school, appearing in Houston's Alley Theatre. His first dance teacher was his mother, Patsy, whose credits as a choreographer include the film Urban Cowboy.

He attended San Jacinto College in Houston and was a member of the gymnastics team before touring North and Central America with "Disney on Parade." Afer a year on the road, he moved to New York to study with the Harkness Ballet Company, and then the Joffrey, before joining the Eliot Feld Ballet as a principal dancer. Swayze simultaneously studied acting with Warren Robertson and landed a dancing role on Broadway in Goodtime Charley with Joel Grey.

Next came the lead role of Danny Zuko in Grease on Broadway, which had already launched John Travolta to prominence. The critics loved Swayze, and he was lured to Hollywood where he continued his acting studies with Milton Katselas.

Swayze made his feature film debut in 1979's Skatetown U.S.A., followed by Francis Ford Coppola's coming-of-age story, The Outsiders, and Paramount's Uncommon Valor in 1983. In 1984, he gained international recognition when he starred as Southern gentleman Orry Main in the epic mini-series North and South. Swayze's additional film credits include Randall Kleiser's Grandview U.S.A. opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, Red Dawn, Youngblood with Rob Lowe, Steel Dawn, Road House and Next of Kin. In 1990, Swayze returned to the screen as a romantic leading man in one of the year's top-grossing films, Ghost.

After Ghost, Swayze starred in Point Break opposite Keanu Reeves, Roland Joffe's City of Joy, Three Wishes co-starring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Black Dog with Randy Travis and Meat Loaf, and Forever Lulu with Melanie Griffith.

Swayze and Niemi currently reside on a ranch outside Los Angeles.