Before He Was an Actor, Patrick Swayze Was a Ballet Dancer

Patrick Swayze (August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009), famous for his roles in films like Dirty Dancing and Ghost, was actually a trained ballet dancer before he became an actor. Swayze’s mother, director of the Houston Jazz Ballet Company, introduced her son to dance at an early age.

While still in grade school, Swayze developed a love for ballet and was often teased by fellow classmates. Throughout high school, he set aside his dance career to concentrate on athletics like gymnastics, swimming and football. After graduation, he was offered both athletic and dance scholarships. Swayze opted for athletics and enrolled at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas, where he focused on gymnastics. Two years later, he left school to tour with the Disney on Parade ice show, as Snow White’s Prince Charming.

In 1972, Swayze traveled to New York City to pursue a dance career. He began training with the Harkness and Joffrey Ballet companies, and was soon hired as a principal dancer with the Eliot Feld Ballet Company. However, his success was cut short when an old football injury required that he undergo knee surgery. The operation, coupled with the infection that followed, caused Swayze to leave the prestigious Feld Company.

Swayze’s background in ballet and dance greatly influenced his career, especially in roles that required physical grace and athleticism. His training was evident in his performances, particularly in films like Dirty Dancing, where his dance skills were on full display. Despite eventually focusing on acting, his ballet training remained a foundational part of his artistic identity.