On September 14, 2009, Patrick Swayze took his final breath. He was beloved by many, seeing as he was a multi-talent who could sing, dance, and act. His movies, such as Ghost, Point Break, The Outsiders, Road House, and Dirty Dancing – just to name a few, made him a legend.
It’s hard to believe that over a decade has gone by since he passed away, but Paramount Network honored his legacy by releasing a 2019 documentary about his life and career called I Am Patrick Swayze. His peers gathered to speak about the impact the actor had on audiences, as well as their own lives.
“I remember watching Patrick and thinking, ‘Man…he’s so good,’ Road House co-star Sam Elliott said.
His Road House leading lady Kelly Lynch said, “He charmed everyone. He’d find a way in and just make him fall in love with him.”
Also appearing in the documentary is Lisa Niemi, his beloved wife of 34 years.
Happy Birthday, my Loved One. Miss you. Sending this tweet out to heaven for you. pic.twitter.com/KXJhKXjfNN
— Lisa Niemi Swayze (@LisaNiemiSwayze) August 18, 2015
The two met when they were teenagers – Patrick was 18 and Lisa was 14 – at Swayze’s mother’s dance studio. They married on June 12, 1975.
Remembering a wonderful man 2day & what would have been our 44th anniversary. Use 2 b these events laid-me-out for weeks. But this afternoon I feel melancholy, but full of luv & celebration 4 what we had & what still lies in our hearts. Love doesn't die. He still makes me smile. pic.twitter.com/cKtwEhM1J6
— Lisa Niemi Swayze (@LisaNiemiSwayze) June 12, 2019
In the trailer for the documentary, Niemi gets emotional speaking about their “challenges,” including his battle with alcoholism and when Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008, which ultimately took his life in 2009.
Even after all these years, Niemi still loves Swayze as much as she did then.
9 yrs ago Patrick passed. Can't help but b a sad day. I threw purple roses in the ocean 4 him. He would have loved that. Loved the ocean & its adventure! To my surprise, the current carried the roses out 2 sea! #PatrickSwayze Thinking of all who fight as hard as he did @PanCan pic.twitter.com/6DQFfU1XUJ
— Lisa Niemi Swayze (@LisaNiemiSwayze) September 14, 2018
In 2011, Niemi wrote a memoir titled Worth Fighting For. She wrote about her life with her husband, their fight against cancer, and his last words.
“My last words to Patrick? ‘I love you,’ and those were his last words to me. After I brought him home, things went very fast,” she wrote. Lisa went on to say that Patrick slipped into a full coma soon after.
He said his final “I love you” on a Friday evening. He passed the following Monday.
I Am Patrick Swayze premiered on what would have been his 67th birthday on August 18, 2019. Watch the trailer below.