America's dirty dancer dies

Patrick Swayze dies at 57 after a 20 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008, but shocked everyone when he planned to continue filming the series "The Beast" on A&E. He managed to film one season while undergoing treatment before he succumbed to the cancer on Monday.

Swayze is most widely known for his role in the 1987 film, "Dirty Dancing." He stole the hearts of women all over the world with his suave, bad-boy look and great body.

Swayze's film career began in 1979 in the movie, "Skatetown, U.S.A." As said before, he continued working up until his death. Besides "Dirty Dancing," Swayze also was in several other movies and TV series including, "Ghost" and "Tall Tales."

Swayze should be remembered for his beauty, grace, amazing looks, and determination. Although very sick in the last year, he managed to continue working. That is something to remember. He obviously had a lot of commitment to his work.

Swayze did have a rough life. He started drinking heavily after the sudden death of his father in 1982, and with that came many other problems. Then in 1994 his sister committed suicide. Alcohol became a problem for many years, but he soon evacuated that image.

I hope that people do not remember him for the tough times. Anyone who has been through that much personal loss can understand what he was going through. He should be remembered as the American heartthrob that captivated the hearts, stares, and desires of so many people both men and women alike.

According to the Fairfield Mirror, "Swayze will be remembered for his brilliant dance-acting and his strength as he battled through his last year."

Rest in peace, Patrick Swayze.