Frank Whiteley, Patrick Swayze’s bodyguard, was driving a Chevy Suburban through Sacramento’s rush hour traffic when the actor disappeared from the passenger seat. “I reach over to light a cigar and he wasn’t in the Suburban anymore,” Frank tells Closer. “We’re doing like 65, and I look out and see a shadow. He was standing on top of the Suburban with his arms raised out, doing the Titanic pose.”
"Nobody gives you a shoulder to cry on, because you seem to have so muchlike money and fame."
Before Patrick’s untimely passing nearly 15 years ago, the Houston native did a lot of living. He’d emerged after nearly a decade of forgettable roles as an A-list star with 1987’s Dirty Dancing and followed it up with crowd-pleasers, including Road House, Ghost and Point Break, making him one of the most popular actors of the early 1990s. Even more impressive are the obstacles Patrick overcame in his personal life, including an unhappy childhood, a turbulent marriage to his childhood sweetheart, and a long cycle of alcohol abuse. “Alcohol breeds self-pity, and I’ve resorted to it on and off throughout my life,” said the star. “But I kicked it by making other things more important.”
Growing up, Patrick, the eldest boy in a family of five children, played football, practiced martial arts, acted in school plays and danced classical ballet at the behest of his choreographer mother, Patsy. She was a demanding taskmaster. “Our mother made us feel that we were never good enough. If I did anything, I had to be the best because that’s what my mother expected of me,” said Patrick, who confessed he harbored anger toward his mother for years.
Denne historien er fra April 29, 2024-utgaven av Closer US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 29, 2024-utgaven av Closer US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
HIS AMAZING Life Story
THE BELOVED HOLLYWOOD SQUARES HOST NEVER EXPECTED TO FIND SUCCESS ON A GAME SHOW
Dating AFTER DIVORCE
THE OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS IS ENJOYING A NEW ROMANCE
Our Love Keeps Getting Stronger
BALANCING MARRIAGE WITH CAREERS, PARENTHOOD AND FAME HAS BEEN TOUGH-BUT WORTH IT!
I'M SO Blessed
The Happy Days alum shares memories, life lessons and the scoop on his new movie
Open Up About Their Friendship & New Show
MIA FARROW & PATTI LUPONE
5 SIMPLE WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY AND PREVENT ILLNESS
Shirley Temple How She Won Hearts BUT LOST EVERYTHING
THE MILLIONS SHE EARNED AS A CHILD VANISHED BEFORE HER 22ND BIRTHDAY
DIANA RIGG Always Ahead of Her Time
THE STAR OF TV'S THE AVENGERS FOUGHT SEXISM AND REVELED IN EVERY KIND OF ACTING ROLE
HALLE BERRY FIGHTING for My Family
THE OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS WANTS HER TWO CHILDREN TO BE WELL PREPARED FOR BRIGHT FUTURES
Memories of My Father, LAURENCE OLIVIER
IN HIS LATER YEARS, THE GREAT BRITISH ACTOR EMBRACED A SIMPLER LIFESTYLE