I spent the better part of the afternoon watching Patrick Swayze, a fine specimen who looked like a hotter version of the Brawny man and moved like a better version of the Rum Tum Tugger, a curious cat, dance on the Internet. It was sad (and briefly compounded by a brief wave of severe self-loathing for never having seen Skatetown U.S.A.), but this “exercise,” and Sunkist Fruit Gems, really made today much better. Let’s look at it this way: As long as nothing happens to the Internet, we will always be able to sit at work and watch Patrick Swayze dance. All day. Let’s kick it.
Dirty Dancing (1987) (airing on ABC Family Saturday and Sunday nights!)
I mean, pick any move. The Lift is obvious, of course. My esteemed colleague Tim Stack is a big fan of Johnny’s intricate arm work — specifically The Snake hand swirl and subsequent Come Hither finger wag. after he leaps onto the log during the precarious water-based practice session (at 0:48). For the epic “I’ve Had The Time of My Life” routine, Tim, Mandi Bierly, and Kristen Baldwin all immediately singled out AND PROCEEDED TO DEMONSTRATE (***exclusive EW.com video unavailable at this time***) what we’ve termed the I’m Comin’ Atcha Shuffle (at 2:44 on this embedding-disabled video, or just imagine it in your head because you know you can) as Johnny — flanked by backups! — attempts to lure Baby back into the spotlight. Kristen and I are very into the slow and sexy Shoulder-To-Waist Trace (at 2:05 above), which during rehearsals got cut short because someone got a case of the giggles. Oh, and whenever I think of this movie, I first picture the “He is risen” moment post-giant leap off the stage (2:52 above), capped off by a sassy head lurch in the fashion of a dog who has just jumped into a pool.
Chippendale’s sketch on Saturday Night Live (1990)
I’d certainly call the flossing of one’s crotch with a sleeveless dress shirt (at 1:07) “notable.”
One Last Dance (1993)
I enjoy the 6:43 mark, at which point Swayze and his real-life wife Lisa Niemi (who directed the film) welcome George De La Pena back into their exclusive love-cloud with a sensuous three-way arm tangle. Also, you may want to watch the One Last Dance trailer to see Swayze explain why dancing is magical. “It’s like living in a beautiful storybook where you can fly if you want to, you can reach up and grab a star.” Ahhhhh!
With wife Lisa Niemi at the 1994 World Music Awards
I had no idea this existed. Don’t skip any of it, but do perk up at 2:39 when his arms create a human-sized napkin ring with which to encase her entire body. And then…a fabulous solo!
To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)
Plenty of gems in this one, but I love the signature dramatic-yet-controlled arm flourishes Vida Boheme is always tossing around — especially during her grand entrance at 1:16 of this ridiculous/awesome tribute video set to a “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” remix. You can watch this entire movie on YouTube.
Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights (2003)
No specific moment, per se. I just wanted to announce that Patrick Swayze is my new favorite honorary Dancing With the Stars pro.
Got any to add?
FYI: This crazy YouTube mashup of a “Swayze vs. John Travolta dance-off” is not the worst way to spend 3:40.
Sorry to hear anyone has died, but history owes the dead nothing but the truth, and the truth is he was a B grade actor.
This article is, in fact, enjoying the kitsch, which I think he would too. Patrick Swayze perhaps was a B grade actor, what of it? He was an A+ movie musical dancer and Ken is a C- philosopher and critic.
Hahaha I love it
Thank you! Patrick Swayze has made me happy with his movies and his dancing. I couldn’t say the same of Sean Penn or Leonardo DiCaprio or even Meryl Streep, or whoever is supposed to be a Great Actor. Patrick Swayze’s work is infinitely more enjoyable to me, and has touched me more.
I agree…with u about the c grade for a certain critic
thank you for finding it necessary to put nastiness into the universe. his movies may not have been academy award-winning, but he brought joy to many people through them. i hope people say nicer things about you when you die.
Don’t sell youself short Lady! Ghost was an Academy Award Winning Movie
Be respectful…not critical.
May be, he is not an A+ actor but indeed an A+ dancer, and that’s something which should be appreciated. Everyone is not A+ in everything, but that’s perfectly alright.
Hey Ken, F&#%” You – Have some respect for the dead at least. A grade or B grade or C grade, who really gives a F#%” now ?
what a perfectly nasty thing to say. hope you like yourself,’cause you do not have company in that department.
or maybe your life is so empty you have to post this kind of c*ap to get a rise?
Ah Ken, Swayze may have been a B grade actor, but you’re a D- human being. He still wins….
Sorry, but Patrick Swayze was more than just a B Actor.he was ONE OF A KIND & is Truly going to be MISSED from a lot of people. I Love him, & Iam very sad about his Death. God Bless his wife, Lisa & all of his family & close friends. We all Loved him very much !!!
By the Way, If Everyone out there has nothing GOOD to say….. (Then don’t say anything at all) !!! Life is too SHORT, & w need to LOVE & RESPECT one another , Never take each other for GRANTED !!! God Bless ……
Ken, you need to be a little more Compassionate & Respectcful, just an FYI in the Future !!!
well i believe if u cant be postitive about someone or something dont say anything at all.the fact is someones loved one just passed and they dont need smart remarks made about his acting.have some respect! the man did what he loved in life, his passion was dancing and he did it very well…my prayers are with his family. God Bless
Wow, I hope someone shows you the same sentiment when you pass. Why does it even matter what kind of actor he was? Remember the person, not the actions.
Ken, you’re a douchebag. A respectful person doesn’t come on a tribute page and bash the person being honoured. Have some class, we’re here to mourn a man who brought happiness to our lives. Go find something that brings some to yours, just leave Swayze alone to rest in peace.
YOU’RE an ASS !!!!!!
Ken: Grade A for you being an ass.
Grade F for you as a human.
Ken, you are NOT making a revolutionary or clever observation. Rather you are stating the obvious, and doing it at a time when fans are trying to celebrate this man, and that is just plain rude.
Regardless of what kind of actor he was…he still made a mark on history. Everyone remembers his role in Dirty Dancing and repeatedly quote that line, “No one puts Baby in a corner” and copy that famous lift! And everyone remembers his role in Ghost! This is really sad. We lost a film legend.
of course if a movie or an actor isn’t oscar and emmy worthy at every turn he or she is crap
so out of curiosity Ken. how many awards have you won.
sometimes it is just about having fun. and Patrick was good at that
You’re just mean
what was the point of that? you just needed to put him down? WHY.
“…but history owes the dead nothing but the truth…” WOW, Ken, that’s, like, so DEEP. And I’m sure Patrick Swayze would have been HEARTBROKEN to hear the great film critic KEN give him a B grade. Give your parents a big pat on the back for me.
I found yours to be a subjectively unkind and unessecary post, ken.
And “history” “demands” nothing from/of Patrick Swayze. He made alot of people very happy.
His karma is A++ good.
How’s yours?
you have no idea on what you are talking about. Patrick Swayze was a legend in his own right. and his films are going to live forever just as musch as michael Jacsons music. so to be quite honest you really aught to stick to your day job and not pretend to be critic cos it aint never going to happen.
Aw… hearts for Swayze. Super sad
But I just thought I’d point out that the best part of the WMA video is at the very end when, after their dance, Fabio is walking out to “I’m Too Sexy.”
Man I was freakin weak on that
But an A grade dancer, asshole, which is what this post is about.
Patrick Swayze had sex appeal and could dance. John Wayne was a B grade actor, and had NO sex appeal.
I loved Patrick’s movies, not John Waynes.
… my dad always said opinions are like a$$holes … everyone has one! I for one am not a huge Swayze fan but I give him the respect he deserves. Same goes for John Wayne, a legend in old westerns and many other movies and I for one think he was very handsome, inside and out! Love my old John Wayne westerns!
… my dad always said opinions are like a$$holes … everyone has one! I for one am not a huge Swayze fan but I give him the respect he deserves. Same goes for John Wayne, a legend in old westerns and many other movies and I for one think he was very handsome, inside and out! Love my old John Wayne westerns! May both actors RIP!
Seriously? You’re making fun of a man that so many respect for numerous reasons, including his incredible dancing? Really? Patrick Swayze was an honorable, very talented man. He’ll be greatly missed, and my thoughts are with his wife, friends and family.
Rest in Peace, Patrick.
Yes you are very, right Jen. Patrick Swayze was very Respected & very Talented & will truly be missed from all that LOVED HIM !!! May God Bless his Family, Friends, & all his Fans around the World !!!!!!
My post above is to the author of this article.
Jen, you’re insane. In what possible universe does gathering Patrick Swayze’s dance moves on a pop culture blog in a loving way qualify as “making fun” of someone? Are we supposed to pretend the silly moments of his career didn’t happen? I will never understand people who get offended by this type stuff. Get over yourself. \
Yes, Bakes whoever you are , alot of people cannot say anything Good about the situation & have to really show their IGNORANCE … It is Childish & Rude … So you need to get over (YOURSELF)…
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Lexes, what a terrible thing to say about a person who has just passed away, besides why was he a B actor? Because he turned down films that would have made him very rich because he wanted to do quality films? O.K. they weren’t blockbusters, but he tried his best on this planet and that’s all any of us can do. Your comments are hateful and i guess that makes you hateful. Good luck in life, you may need it. As for Patrick Swayze, I shall miss him, I was enjoying the series “The Beast”. My condolences to his family.
Lexes was defending him…I believe you’re talking about Ken.
Ah! And I see down below you realized this…my apologies.
A,B,C,or what ever he was easy on the eyes.My girls and I have watched Dirty Dancing over and over again, we watch talk and laugh.He gave us a gift. To Patrick Swayze thanks for everything love the Dixon girls.
Oh darn it, the first part of my comment doesn’t go out to someone called Lexes but to Ken. My apologies Lexes your comment was beautiful and i totally agree with it. Ken, What is your problem? I read your comment again and i don’t understand why so much hatred. So sad.
very kind of you to let us see all this at this time—! thank you so much ! mja
Ken is just one of those lonely goblins that needs the attention that he can only get from internet posts. As many have said, Patrick Swayze was a good man – perhaps even great when you consider that he could have abused his fame and fortune as many of his peers have done. He contributed joy and art to this world during his time here (whatever the grade). Ken, I hope one day when it’s your time you could aspire to such contributions.
People should not be negative when discussing the dearly departed.
Be respectful!!!
No one has the right to alter the reputation of a good man, blessed to have an amazing talent that brought joy to many. His courageous fight for his life against a hideous disease was with great dignity and honesty. Patrick, rest in peace.
I will never understand comment strings that consist of 90% of the people calling out a few nasty comments. If someone posts something that you find tasteless, just ignore it, don’t give them the satisfaction of a response.