Although actor Patrick Swayze died Tuesday at a young age of 57, the battles he fought throughout his life and career left enough legacies for people to regard him as one who lived a full life.

Swayze’s biggest hit movies were 1987’s “Dirty Dancing” and 1990’s “Ghost.”

“Dirty Dancing” bucked the trend that year by being one, if not the only, dance-oriented film to break the $10 million mark in ticket sales within 10 days of release. It also yielded a hit song for Swayze titled “She’s Like The Wind” which he co-wrote and sung.

“Ghost,” on the other hand, was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Swayze’s portrayal of Sam Wheat, an investment banker who died but returned as an apparition to protect his girlfriend from scheming businessmen, earned for him a Golden Globe Award nomination.

In 2008, Swayze was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Despite his deteriorating health, Swayze continued to work by filming the police series, “The Beast.” He also lent his time to appeal to the general public for donations for the Stand Up to Cancer initiative.

Swayze spent most of his time outside work at his ranches to breed Arabian horses.

Below is the Patrick Swayze timeline as sourced from Wikipedia and wire agencies:  

1952 - Patrick Wayne Swayze is born on August 18 in Houston, Texas. He was one of four children in an Irish-American family.

1972 - Swayze lands in New York City to perform and study with the Joffrey and Harkness ballet companies.

1975 - Swayze marries Lisa Niemi, a professional dancer. He appears on his first Broadway production, “Goodtime Charley.”

1978 - Swayze takes over the lead role of Danny Zuko in "Grease" on Broadway.

1979 - Swayze sees the release of his film debut, “Skatetown U.S.A.” It was described as “a rock and roller film.” 

1983 - Swayze co-stars with Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, and Emilio Estevez in “The Outsiders.” It becomes the first Brat Pack (a nickname given to a group of young actors and actresses who frequently appeared together in teen-oriented coming-of-age films in the 1980s) movie.

1984 - Swayze stars as a leader of a group of Colorado teenagers who organize resistance to a Russian invasion of the U.S. in the film “Red Dawn.”

1985 - Swayze plays Orry Main, a Southern planter, in the highly rated television mini-series "North and South."

1989 - Swayze stars as the head bouncer in a rough bar in "Road House," a widely panned film that became a cult hit.

1987 - Swayze becomes a bonafide star via the release of “Dirty Dancing” in which he played Johnny Castle, a rebellious dance pro who wins the love of a young guest. He receives a Golden Globe Award nomination for the role.

“Dirty Dancing” is ranked 93rd on the American Film Institute’s 2007 list of the 100 greatest love stories in US movie history. It was the first film to sell one million copies on video, and as of 2007, has earned over US$ 300-million worldwide.

A song from the film titled “She’s Like The Wind” (co-written and sung by Patrick) peaks at number three in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The soundtrack album stayed at number one for 19 weeks.

1990 - Swayze garners critical and commercial acclaim for his film “Ghost.” He plays an investment banker who returns as an apparition, determined to protect his girlfriend, after he is murdered in a scheme concocted by his business partner.    

“Ghost” earned five Academy Award nominations, including for best picture. The film is number 19 in the American Film Institute's 2007 list of the 100 greatest love stories in U.S. movie history.

1991 - People magazine selects Swayze as "Sexiest Man Alive." 

He also plays the leader of a gang of surfers in "Point Break," which also starred Keanu Reeves.

1995 - Swayze is nominated for a Golden Globe Award for "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" in which he played a drag queen.

1997 - Swayze receives his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s the same year when Swayze sustains two broken legs and a seriously injured shoulder from a horse-back riding accident.  

2000 - Swayze co-stars in “Waking Up in Reno” with Billy Bob Thornton and Charize Theron, and in “Forever Lulu” with Melanie Griffith.

A licensed pilot with an instrument rating, Patrick suffers an accident while flying his twin-engine Cessna.

2003 - Swayze produces and stars in the film “One Last Dance," which Niemi wrote.

2004 - Swayze appears in a cameo role in "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights." He also plays Allan Quatermain in “King Solomon’s Mines.”

On stage, Swayze stars as Billy Flynn in a Los Angeles production of "Chicago."

2006 - Swayze stars as Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls" in London’s West End.

2007 - Swayze stars in the films “Christmas in Wonderland” and “Powder Blue.”

2008 - Swayze is diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. He starts filming the police drama “The Beast” while undergoing chemotherapy.

September 14, 2009 - Swayze, 57, dies from the disease.

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Actor Patrick Swayze dead at 57