OUTRAGE OVER PATRICK SWAYZE'S CAREER INTENSIFIES
Samantha Dryden, Entertainment Correspondent
March 8 2008
Hollywood, CA – It was revealed this week that 80’s movie hunk Patrick Swayze is battling pancreatic cancer. The actor, who was diagnosed with the disease in January, was forced to issue a statement after The National Enquirer published a story stating that the Dirty Dancing star only had five weeks to live.
Officially, doctors are optimistic about Swayze’s condition, stating that he has a limited amount of the disease and is responding well to treatment. Swayze is continuing to work while battling the disease which has one of the highest mortality rates of all cancers. Over a five year span, there is generally less than a 5 percent survival rate.
Publicists for the actor have come out swinging against the Enquirer, criticizing the tabloid for forcing the actor to go public with a very private issue. The Enquirer, swinging back, makes no excuses for doing what they’ve always done. Indeed it is a difficult situation for all involved; Media, fans, and most of all for Swayze and his family.
But there are forgotten victims of this outrage. His haters.
Patrick Swayze’s career has been filled with a few hits, and many, many misses. For every “Ghost” there’s a “Roadhouse” or a “Father Hood”. For every “Point Break”, there’s a “Black Dog” or a “Three Wishes”. His critics are becoming more and more vocal, outraged that Swayze is getting more press over his illness than he has had over his career in many years.
“Look, I’m a fan of “The Outsiders”, I even have a bit of a thing for “Steel Dawn” believe it or not, but they should be put in context. Swayze isn’t a good actor and he hasn’t been a movie star for years. Now he’s on CNN, in People magazine and all kinds of websites getting all this press. And his people get on TV and get angry about he’s being treated, it’s ridiculous,” said Dave, a movie fan.
Indeed, Swayze’s career peaked with two massive films, “Dirty Dancing”, and the Academy Award winning “Ghost”. Since the latter film in 1990, Swayze has worked steadily, but with very few projects of note. His praised performance in “To Wong Foo thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar,” and in the cult classic “Donnie Darko” are the principle highlights since those heady heartthrob years.
“The reality is Patrick Swayze holds a very warm spot in the hearts of many moviegoers, that is why this is such a big story,” said Hollywood observer Danny Johnson. “Sure, this is the most press he’s gotten in years, and there’s no doubt that his team is milking it for what it’s worth, but in week it will all be forgotten, just like most of his movies.”
Swayze continues to work through his illness, with two projects “The Beast”, a possible TV series for A&E, and “Powder Blue” starring fellow 80’s survivor Forest Whitaker. Home - Entertainment
