Patrick Swayze Dies After Battling Pancreatic Cancer

Mon, 14 September 2009 21:05:22 ET

After battling pancreatic cancer for about 20 months, 'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze has passed away at the age of 57.

Patrick Swayze, who is best known for his starring role as Johnny Castle on 1987 movie "Dirty Dancing", passed away on Monday, September 14. Leaving his family and friends at the age of 57, the senior actor died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Announcing the death of the star, Patrick's publicist Annett Wolf said in a statement, "Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months."

Patrick Swayze was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008. Since then, he had been undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments. The actor once said, "I dream of a future with a long, healthy life, a life not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light."

Then, on ABC's "Patrick Swayze: The Truth in December", which was his first television interview after the diagnosis, he told the show's host Barbara Walters that he waged his battle against cancer "moment to moment". At that time, Patrick said, "I'd say five years is pretty wishful thinking. Two years seems likely if you're going to believe statistics."

Then, in March this year, some reports emerged that he only had weeks to live. Responding to the news, Patrick stated, "I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment." Then, he continued, "There is a brand new, 12-week-old Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named Kumasai in my life who is gorgeous and already showing that he will be one special dog ... I have so much to be thankful for at this time."

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