patrick swayze has died from pancreatic cancer. barbara walters joins us to talk about his valiant fight. we'll dig deeper into the kind of cancer that killed him. it's one of the deadliest there is. information you need to know about pancreatic cancer. we begin with a look back, patrick swayze's life on screen and especially on his feet. it's the way many of us first came to know patrick swayze. the year was 1987. the film was "dirty dancing." ♪ swayze played dance inconstructer johnny castle. his moves captured america's attention. dancing is something that swayze said was always part of who he was. >> my mother is a choreographer. i had no choice in it. i came out of the womb dancing. >> reporter: he composed and sang a hit song in the film. ♪ she's like the wind >> reporter: he appeared in a dozen films like "dirty dancing," movies like "red dawn" and "the outsiders." >> and i can't call the cops because you'll be thrown into a home so fast it would make your heads spin. >> reporter: "dirty dancing" made him a household name. a

swayze melted hearts everywhere in the movie "ghost." co-star demi moore says his light will forever shine. and whoopi goldberg who won an oscar for her role in "ghost" choked up on "the view," remembering how swayze got her the job. >> because of patrick swayze i have an oscar. and, yeah - >> [ applause ] >> reporter: in his autobiography due out later this month swayze talks about his battle with cancer and the love he shared with his wife of 34 years. barbara walters interviewed the couple last year asking whether he ever thought about his most famous line from "ghost." >> it's amazing, molly. the love inside, you take it with you. >> its all you can take with you. i think it validated that one thing for all of us. the only thing you can take with you when you die is the love you have. >> reporter: there was so much love and respect for swayze. one director saying simply, i hope he had the time of his life. carla wohl, abc news, hollywood. >> tonight at 10:00, abc news will air barbara walters special "patrick swayze, last dance." the

patrick swayze dead at the age of 57. patrick swayze dead at the age of 57. start here.r. >> a new book is providing fresh insights into pat tillman's u.s. army service. tillman was the nfl player who died in 2004 in a friendly fire incident in afghanistan. >> for the first time we're hearing tillman's own thoughts. it comes from his own writings. bob woodruff reports. >> reporter: he had it all, a pro contract worth millions, a beautiful new bride and after 9/11 he gave it all up to serve his country but pat tilln had grave doubts about his first deployment to iraq. >> i hope this war is about more than oil, money and power. i doubt that it is. >> reporter: his private letters and journals revealed showed there was much more to him than most imagined. >> my job is challenging, enjoyable and strokes my vanity enough to fool me into thinking it's important. >> reporter: even though pat and his brother who enlisted with himad doubts about iraq but never doubted how they would fight. >> every bit of my soul knows we will fight as hard as anyone has. >> reporter: he was skep

no carrier > swayze's star ring rose fast.was no carrier "people" magazine's ring no carrier ring no carrier ring no carrier ring sexiest man alive in 1991 and made more than 30 films. >> no carrier some men need to be hit back. >> reporter: because ring but the sudden fame took hits toll. he no battled alcoholism and was a no carrier heavy smoke. at the age of 5 5rk swayze was no carrier diagnosed with stage 4 ring pancreatic no carrier canser. ring no carrier ring he underwent no c intensive chemotherapy and still kept working, no even shooting a ring grueling new television no carrier series. >> you measure, no carrier > ring you think and you react. >> reporter: in a recent no carrier ring no carrier interview, he vowed to keep ring no carrier the disease. >> i want to last up they find a cure, which means i better get a ring no carrier fire under it. >> reporter: those who knew him ring say until the end, swayze no carrier remained humbled by no c his own > success. millions of ring fans no c had remember him always as a

today hollywood is remembering the life of actor patrick swayze. >> swayze died last night after losingis nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. george lewis takes a look back now at swayze's life and his career. ♪ and i owe it all to you >> reporter: swayze leapt into hollywood stardom in 1987 with "dirty dancing." the role of a lifetime he had been preparing for since he was a kid in houston. his mother patsy is a famous dance choreographer who trained patrick for balleted a an early age. he met his wife of 33 years lisa niemi when at age 15 she began taking lessons at his mother's studio after his dancing ability led to broadway, he landed tv and movie roles, playing young tough guys in "the outsiders" and red dawn." then came his big break. in "dirty dancing," swayze got to show off the moves he learned as a teenager and his acting chops, as well. >> nobody puts baby in a corner. >> "dirty dancing" is a movie that is a touchstone for a generation. >> reporter: it catapulted swayze on the top of hollywood's a-list and title of hollywood's sexiest man alive in 1991. he could s

>>> tonight on "nightline," patrick swayze dies. the actor best known for his performances in "dirty dancing" and "ghost" who found new fame after a courageous battle with cancer. tonight, his last interview. >>> and how you can chow down on pizza, onion rings and chips and still lose weight. so how does she do it? >>> and losing your cool. serena's tirade. kanye's mic grab. >> one of the best videos of all time! >> those presidential name calling. >> you lie! >> why this dearth of manners is tonight's "sign of the times". captions paid for by abc, inc. >>> good evening, i'm cynthia mcfadden. we begin tonight with sad news from hollywood. actor patrick swayze died today after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. the 57-year-old swayze have been remembered for his dancing in "dirty dancing" and from "ghost", but part of it will remembered from the way he dealt with real life. he talked candidly about his illness was with abc's barbara walters and she joins me now. >> well, cynthia, patrick swayze and i had had a relationship -

swayze's star rose fast. the sudden fame took its toll.ttled alcoholism and was a heavy smoker. he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. he underwent intensive chemotherapy and continued working, even shooting a gruely television series. in a recent interview, he vowed to keep fighting the disease that often kills patients within a few months. >> i want to last until they find a cure. which means i better get a fire under it. >> those who knew him say until the end, swayze remained humbled by his own success. millions of fans will remember him always. >> swayze was nominated for three golden globes for his roles in dirty dancing, ghost. >>> orioles return home to take on tampa bay. rookie david hernandez was on the mound for the birds. when tampa bay ray stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive home run. the rays take the lead and win 8-4. >>> you can't win them all, even if your name is roger federer. he faltered on his quest for the sixth straight title, when argentina's 20-year-old turned out to be no pushover. he took home his firs

he and patrick swayze co-wrote the song "brothers." you together, larry? >> we were great buddies. i met him in 1986 and walked in an elevator in austin, texas in the centennial celebration. the elevator opened and i said patrick swayze. i love your acting. he said, larry gatlin, i love your singing and songwriting. i said, let's be friends. that's a great idea. i cherish his memory. that's exactly how it happened. later i wrote this song. >> larry: do for me and the audience there in branson who love you so much, do the song you and patrick wrote. >> with blood brothers steve and rudy, for our other brother patrick. ♪ you've always known if anyone tried to get to you ♪ ♪ they'd first have to pass me ♪ you've always known i'd be by your side ♪ ♪ no matter what the situation might be ♪ ♪ when we were just boys we vowed our allegiance ♪ ♪ shoulder to shoulder against all others ♪ ♪ brothers brother brothers ♪ ♪ and brother you will never look for me ♪ ♪ brother you can go ahead and walk into the fire ♪ ♪ because by your side is where i'l

amily, friends and fans are patrick swayze. he lost his brave battle against pancreatic cancer at age 57 yesterday. we send our condolences to patrick's wife and family and will be speaking to his famous friends in a little while. joining us exclusively from palo alto, california is dr. george fisher. the oncologist who treated swayze in his last days at the stanford hospital and clinic. why is pancreatic cancer such a death blow? >> it's a difficult disease in part because it's always diagnosed so late. it's a disease where when symptoms develop, often times it cannot be removed. larry, if you forgive me -- >> larry: someone said today -- go ahead. >> i wanted to correct the first statement. we treated him at stanford on the context of a clinical trial. he was looking for new treatments. we were lucky enough to offer him that seemed to work for a while. the rest was given by oncologists in los angeles and they did a wonderful job taking care of him. >> larry: i'm glad we straightened that out. the treatment you tried work forw

patrick swayze in the iconic "dirty dancing." today he is being remembered as a star on the walk of fame in hollywood and throughout the world after losing his 20-month-long battle with pancreatic cancer. he was just 57 years old. >>> inside studio 1a on this tuesday morning, i'm matt lauer along with al roker and natalie morales. coming up in just a moment, much more on an actor that personified romance in the late 1980s and then again in the early 1990s with roles in that movie we talked about "dirty dancing" and "ghost." he worked almost really till the end of his life. we'll look back at his career in just a couple of minutes. >> yeah, i think so many fans are very sad this morning to hear the news. and i know i feel like i grew up with him because those were the movies during my time. >> it's still kind of shocking to hear. >> yeah. >>> also ahead, we've got a story about weight. >> that's right. obesity rates for kids between 6 and 11 years old have more than quadrupled over the last 40 years. "today" trainer jillian michae

actor patrick swayze has died. the 57-year-old succumbed to cancer at his home in los angeles yesterday. his wife of 34 years, lisa was by his side. in january 2008 swayze was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and despite the illness he kept work. he start starred in over 30 movies and dozens of tv shows. sandra hughes is in los angeles this morning with more. sandra good morning. >> reporter: good morning, jeff. well toward the end of patrick swayze's life, he was working on on a book with his wife. his legacy playing strong sensitive men. ♪ he burst into the hollywood fast han with "dirty dancing." a low budget romance with high octane chemistry. it made patrick swayze a star. he was a texas kid who grew up playing football and dancing ballet both forming his signature style, tough but tender. swayze first broke through in the mini series north and south. >> not everyone the southerners that don't own slaves will go against the north. the. >> reporter: after he thit big as that tough but tender hunk wit

actor patrick swayze, perhaps best known for his role in "dirty dancing" dies after a long battle with cancer. >>> wrong side of the tracks. a woman in india gets trapped undea moving train. >>> and a washington state mini mart is invaded by wayward cattle. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> hello, and good morning, everyone, i'm dan kloeffler. and today we begin with the end of a battle. this morning, friends, family, and millions of fans are remembering actor patrick swayze who lost his fight against pancreatic cancer monday. from his leading roles to his defiant fight against the disease, the actor, dancer, and cancer awareness advocate always showed off his best moves. george lewis reports. >> reporter: swayze leapt into hollywood stardom in 1987 with "dirty dancing." a role of a lifetime he'd been preparing for since he was a kid in houston. his mother, patsy, is a famous choreography who trained him at an early age. after his dancing ability led to broadway, he landed tv and movie roles. then came his big break. >> good. >> reporter: in "dirty dancing," he got to s

remembering patrick swayze. the 57-year-old actor who danced into the hearts of millions of fans in "dirty dancing" has died following a 20-month battle with cancer. this morning a look back at his most memorable roles. >>> arrest imminent? police identify a potential suspect in that brutal murder. a campus worker who has reportedly failed a lie detector test and has scratch marks on his body. now investigators are trying to figure out a motive. >>> and speechless. on the debut of his new primetime show, jay leno asked kanye west about what his late mother would have thought about that awkward disruption at the "vmas." >> what do you think she would have said about this? >> how that question nearly brought the rapper to tears today, tuesday, september 15th, 2009. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> and good morning, everyone. welcome to "today" on a tuesday morning. i'm matt lauer. >> and in for meredith, i'm ann curry. this patrick swayze news hit a lot of people really hard because he touched so

today, on "the view" goldberg shared her memories of working with swayze. >> because of patrick swayze, i have an oscar. and -- >> yeah. yeah. >> reporter: in private life, he struggled with bouts of binge drinking and heavy smoking. he credits his wife, lisa niemi for helping him turn things around. they appeared together in "steel dawn." >> i'm offering food and shelter. >> reporter: married 33 years, they were together when he died with pancreatic cancer. he insted on working up to the end, filming scenes for "the beast" betwe bouts of chemotherapy. a line he delivered on m.a.s.h. still applies to patrick swayze. >> it seems to me, i have a right to do what i want with the time i have left. >> reporter: today, there are flowers on his star in hollywood's walk of fame. george lewis, nbc news, los angeles. >> we also learned today, the women who inspired the 1979 film, "norma ray" died. sally field starred in it. it was about a woman who led the fight in the textile plant in the south. her name was crystal lee sutton. she died over the weekend of cancer. she was 68 years old. >>> when

swayze became a household name with "ghost." a critically acclaimed film about a murdered man struggling as a spirit to reconcile his past. but last march, we learned that the actor with a flair for planning charismatic roles was facing a grim diagnosis, pancreatic cancer. >> hope is a fragile thing in anyone's life. people that i love do not need that hope being robbed from them. >> despite his diagnosis, he kept working and he refused to go down without a fight. >> i keep my heart and soul and spirit available for miracles. i prayed. i have pulled off 10 months when most people would be dead by now. >> i think he will be missed. he put up a helluva fight. you have to admire him for his acting and his struggles at the end. >> patrick swayze lost his battle with cancer at the age of 57. jay korff, abc 7 news. >> 20 months, when most people would have given 20 weeks. more details on the life of patrick swayze, he starred in the broadway production of "grease." he also appeared in an episode of mash. in 1991, he was named by peopl

patrick swayze's cancer battle ends. the romantic lead of iconic films is dead. we'll look at his recovery. >>> and phone concern what years of cell phone use may >>> and phone concern what years of cell phone use may mean for your health. captions paid for by abc, inc. >>> good morning. thanks for joining us. after a public battle with pancreatic cancer, patrick swayze has died. >> abc's barbara walters had a friendly relationship with swas si for decades. she also conducted the last tv interview he would ever give. >> he was a dancer. he was a cowboy. he was a movie star. >> nobody puts baby in the corner. >> reporter: but above all, he was a fighter. >> will you stand up with me? will you snd up to cancer. >> reporter: patrick swayze, defiant, but definitely sick. was far from the hearthrob that boogied into the hearts of a generation, with his tate mark moves in 1987's "dirty dancing." ♪ i never felt this way dfr >> reporter: but the role that sealed his destiny, among the top romantic actors of all-time, involved a pottery wheel, a grieving widow, played by

patrick swayze debt at the age 57.inder of our main use, ever -- one year to the day since lehman brothers went under, causing a global downturn. ben bernanke said is is very likely the recession in the u.s. is over. in this program, we have heard confront -- we have heard from correspondents around the globe, from china were a massive stimulus program in place and to india where their economy is growing -- >> "bbc world news" is presentedfunding for this presentation is foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. and " the bright star" a new film by jane campion. >> union bank has put his financial strength to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to make corporations. what can we do for you? >> he was a dreamer. >> i was floating above the trees. >> she was a realist. with every word he rode -- he wrote, inspired the romance that live on forever. >> i must warn you -- >> "bright star" from jane campion. campion.

my condolences to the swayze family. for his outburst on the stage. during her acceptance speech at the mtv video musing awards. everybody's been talking about it. that word came from "the view" representatives who say taylor accepted the apology. last night kanye west kicked off the apology tour on "the jay leno show." >> to meet your mom and talk with your mom a number of years ago, what do you think she would have said about this? you okay? would she be disappointed in this? would she give you a lecture? >> yeah. you know, obviously, you know, i deal with hurt and, you know, so many, you know, celebrities they never take the time off. i've never taken the time off to really, you know, just music after tour and tour after tour. i'm just ashamed my hurt caused someone else's hurt. >> his mother died in 2007. >>> cities are driving smokers outdoors. there's bans on cigarette smoking in public buildings, a lot of them. you know that. now new york wants to ban smoking outside as well. some public places. we're going to sha

. >> and rememberingatrick swayze. announcer: the shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line, so why does the journey from where you are to where you want to be have to go through a classroom? it doesn't. from correspondence courses to online platforms, like the graduate school's gs connect, distance education has always helped people on the go, go further. the courses you need, available on your schedule, anytime, anywhere. great moments begin at the graduate school. learn more. visit... >>> attributes are still pouring in for patrick swayze. >> he lost his battle with cancer last night. we take a look back at his long career. >> friends and colleagues are remembering patrick swayze today for his screen career and his brave battle against cancer. flowers are piling up on hi star on the hollywood walk of fame as fan remember him. -- as fans remember him. >> it was definitely of hollywood a moment. i hope we remember him that way. >> sheemembers her co-star as a real cowboy with the tender heart. he melted pa

. >>> patrick swayze. remembering the actor who has died from cancer at age 57. >>> and, has a best-selling author managed to reveal >>> and, has a best-selling author managed to reveal washington's deepest secrets? captions paid for by abc, inc. >>> good evening. one market analyst may have put it best today when he said american consumers who are the biggest factor in driving the economy, are finally coming out of their fox hole. retail sales rose 2.7% in august. that's a small number, but it means a lot. that ride was better than economists expected it was a turn and from the decline of the month before, and it is the strongest sales surge in three and a half years. and it comes alongside the comments from the head of the federal reserve that the recession is very likely ending this summer, and that the economy is on the rebound. betsy stark is here again this evening. betsy? >> reporter: chae leave, we've seen a number of signs the economy is improving, but this one is especially welcome. it's tough to

. >>> and remembering patrick swayze. the one-time hollywood heart throb losing his nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. he was 57 years old. we're looking back at his life and career, including a classic role that influenced a generation of moviegoers. >>> we begin with the murder mystery on the campus of yale university. police say graduate student annie le was not the victim of a random attack and now they're hunting for the killer who stuffed her body inside a wall in a campus high-security lab. and as police narrow their investigation, hundreds turned out for a candlelight vigil on the yale campus last night while friends say the 24-year-old le was as good a human being as you would ever hope to meet. our mary snow is following developments for us at the ivy league campus in new haven, connecticut. mary, what is the latest on what investigators are trying to figure out this morning? >> reporter: kiran, good morning. all indications are that police are zeroing in on a suspect, but officially, they are not sa

in dirty dancing, patrick swayze has died. he lost his nearly two-year- long bat we'll bank -- battle with pancreatic cancer. he was 57. >>> today mark exactly one year since lehman brothers filed for bankruptcy setting off an economic tail spain. president obama spoke on wall street yesterday accusing investors of ignoring the lessons learned and warning them that more reckless behavior would cause another financial meltdown. the president expressed the need for tighter financial regulation and said although the economy has improved, financial giants should not expect any more government bailouts. >> those on wall street cannot resume taking risks without regard for cons and expect that next time american tax payers will there be to break their fall. >> the president say new regulation are needed because the dishonest tricks that traders used in the past are still legal. political analysts say congress is more likely to focus on the president's health care reform plans first. >>> the president heads to midwest to meet with wo

swayze was just 57 years old.series called "the beast." it was canceled in june because his cancer was getting worst. his dirty dancing co-star jennifer grey released a statement describing him as a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and grace. demi moore quoted a line he had in ghost. it's amazing, molly being the love inside, you take it with you. she then added, i will miss you. >>> several raids have revealed that an investigation is under way in new york city. federal agents searched apartments in queens early yesterday but no one was arrested. a federal law enforcement source saysing agents were looking for a specific person who was not found. people living in some of the apartment buildings talked about the raids. >> scary. to know something like a terrorist is so close to you. it is a shock, a big shock. >> very scary. very scary. very surprising and scary. luckily it stopped. to get raided, that's good. i mean, we're safe now. >> the fbi obviously keeps tabs and eyes on potential problems a

hollywood mourning the loss of patrick swayze. >> swayze starred in box office hits like "dirty dancing" ""roadhouse ""and ghost. he met his wife lisa in 19975. he last worked on "the beast" "while he was undergoing cancer treatment. he was 57 years old when he died. >>> and now to a developing story out of new york. despite finding no weapons during a raid, authorities called the situation a real threat. a joint terrorism task force raided at least two apartment buildings in queens. they believe a person with linked to al-qaeda visited the apartment homes. officials didn't identify a terror plot or planned targets but they do think they may have stopped something in the works. >>> investigators say the raid had nothing to do with president obama's visit to new york. he talked business and then he had a lunch date with former president bill clinton. they spent about an hour and a half at an italian restaurant in greenwich village. that meeting came after president obama's speech to the financial industry. >>> the president spoke on wall street exactly one year after lehman brothers went

movie, swayze was a popular in the '80s and '90s. his first major film came in the "outsiders" alongside some soon-to-be stars, including tom cruise. but his career exploded with "dirty dancing." >> i really love you. >> ditto. >> three years later, he struck box office gold once again, and starred with demi moore with a love story in "ghost." he was dubbed the sexiest man alive. >> it makes people coming to my movies. >> swayze was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. while his cancer battle may be fans' final memory of patrick swayze, the lasting ones are likely to be of the dance instructor. >> the costar from "dirty dancing," jennifer gray called him masculinity and amazing grace. >> wow, i think some people were hoping he could survive this. >> yeah, and he kept working, too. >>> tom is here to talk about something nice out there, the weather, and it's beautiful today. >> feel k like summertime one more time he in september. and then clouds will move in after a sunny morning. live picture from the camera. there is the am

. >>> and people where patrick swayze filmed dirty dancing share their memories of the actor. depends on our connections. access to high-speed internet, at home and on the go, is no longer a luxury. it's how our children aaaccess education. it's how we find jobs, discover information, and connect with family and friends. it's the spark that drives innovation, creates investment, and builds a stronger economy. to shape a better tomorrow, at&t is investing in america's future - working to create an internet that's smart, mobile and safe. last year at&t invested more than any other company in the u.s. and we're continuing to invest this year, to expand and enhance our wireless and wired networks. we support a national plan that ensures high speed internet access and enables adoption by all americans, over the next five years. adoption by all americans, over the next five years. the future is our business. at&t. your world delivered. growing up we didn't have much, but education was always a priority. my mom sent me off to college with just four 20-dollar bills. so i know that education i

. >>> for almost two years, patrick swayze battle -led pate yachtic -- battled pancreatic cancer. >>we'll be right back. >>> i've with your living green tip of the day. try some natural solutions to freshen up your kitchen. instead of soap, bleach, or other chemicals, try some orange peels to keep it smelling fresh. baking soda is another good option, it's a mild natural abrasive that won't scratch. and white vinegar is a wonder. they will clean out coffee pots, working great on soap scum. if you think you absolutely need bleach, try some lemon juice first to remove that stain instead. you can find more tips on wusa9.com. just click on living green, and you can also become a fan of living green with wusa9 on facebook. >>> fans are coping with the news that patrick swayze has died. the 57-year-old actor passed away yesterday at his home in los angeles. his wife of 34 years was by his side. >> in march of last year, swayze was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. despite his illness, he kept working and michelle reports, he took time to share his thoughts and fears as he learne

and today, hollywood and the country is mourning the loss of actor patrick swayze. for almost two years, he waged an her on -- heroic battle against pancreatic cancer. >> reporter: patrick swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in january of 2008. >> i want to last until they find a cure. which means i better get a fire under it. >> reporter: he underwent chemotherapy, just two months after his diagnosis, and took to the air not long after that, to stand up to cancer. the special raised $100 million for cancer research. >> tonight, i stand here, another individual living with cancer, and i ask only one thing of you. will you stand up with me. >> late in the year, it was reported that the cancer had spread to his liver. swayze insisted he was doing well and remarkably went ahead with plans to star in the tv series "the beat." >> he took off exactly a day and a half of work in all of the months this he was shooting. he refused to take painkillers because he thought that would affect his craft. >> reporter: but swayze was also brutally honest in the shadow of his

health-care looms large. >> saying goodbye to actor patrick swayze. pancreatic cancer. >> police have new clues in the search

. >>> the entertainment world is mourning the death of actor patrick swayze. the actor died yesterday after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. he became a star back in 1987. he was only 57 years old. >>> clues. to an inside job. police separate annie le was not the victim of a random crime but was targeted. her body was found on sunday. it had been stuffed inside the wall of a laboratory building debt as part of the yale medical school complex. >>> their work federal raids in new york city. the fbi stormed three apartments in queens yesterday. they were tracking a man suspected of working with al qaeda. officials are not saying what was taken from that home. there was no threat to safety. their work reportedly no arrests. >>> a big securi change at dulles airport. starting today, you'll have to go to a new place to scream at your bags. at the tketing level, it is part of a $3 billion airport expansion projec which includes an underground train system that is set to open later this year. >>> there is a traffic alert. vdot will close the beltway in both d

. >>> hollywood and many fans are remembering patrick swayze. the "dirty dancing" lost his battle with cancer last night. -- "dirty dancing" start lost his battle with cancer last night. we apologize for the technical difficulties. we will get that story back on after the break. >>> new information in the murder of a yale university bride-to-be. who police are now questioning. and john perdue from valley view farms is here to answer the plant and gardening questions. >> now we want to get back to our story and patrick swayze, who passed away last night. here's a look back on his career. >> whether it was a chick flick or tough-guy action movie, patrick swayze was one of hollywood's most popular stars in the 1980's and 1990's. the houston native's first major film role was in 1983. "the outsiders" featured him and several other factors, including tom cruise. it was in 1987 when his car exploded. "dirty dancing" became an unexpected box office smash. drew on his dance skills to play the dance instructor prep. three years later, he struck box offic

swayze rury fused -- refused to give way to it. >> i want to last until they find a cure.ch means i need to put a fire to it. >> he stood up for cancer. his special raised $1 million for cancer research. >> tonight, i stand here, another individual living with cancer. and i ask only one thing of you, will you stand up with me? >> reporter: late in the year, it was reported that the cancer moved to his liver. he was doing well and went ahead with plans to star in the tv series "the beat ." >> he took off exactly a day and a half of work in all of the months he was shooting. he refused to take painkillers because he thought that would affect his craft. >> reporter: but he was also painfully honest. >> yeah, i'm scared. yeah, i'm why. all of this stuff. >> reporter: monday night, rob lowe, who starred with swayze in "the outsiders" remembered a courageous friend. >> patrick lived a thousand lifetimes in one life. and i'll remember him most for his enthusiasm, his bravery, and how much he loved his wife lisa. >> reporter: schweisy left the hospital bed -- swayze left the hospi

swayze and cynthia rhodes. that's good stuff. "dirty dancing" was swayze's breakout film.ghost" with demi moore. he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008. he continued acting even through chemotherapy. >>> so, what's your favorite patrick swayze moment? the women on the show team mentioned the pottery scene from "ghost." send me your ideas. anything with cynthia rhodes works for me. just go to cnn.com/tony. >>> all right, time for your midday reset. i'm tony harris in the "cnn newsroom." it is noon in ohio and pennsylvania, where president obama is addressing big labor today. >>> it is noon in washington, where key senators are struggling to write a health care reform bill acceptable to both democrats and republicans. >>> it is high noon in new york where a terror task force is planning its next move after a raid on an apartment building turns up no explosives, no arrests. >>> let's get started. president obama on the road, talking the economy and health care. he spoke just last hour at a gm plant in ohio that is rehiring, thanks in part to the cash for clunkers pro

i can tell you, even i could dance if i had patrick swayze. in this interview his fight, his need to keep going, and what he wanted his legacy to be had to do with forestry and with trees. that is what he cared about. that is what he was working on in his ranch. he sll wrote horses and kept going and he did his television show. he did not give up. that was an important message for people to know. and also to try to raise money to find a cure for this terrible cancer. pancreatic cancer is what he died from and it is one of the deadliest there is. >> and what a fighter he was. barbara, thank you for your time. we appreciate it. and you, what the special tonight at 10:00 p.m., and then stay with us with abc 7 news at 11:00. stay with us with abc 7 news at 11:00. still ahead, a final look theam while i was building my friendships, my family, while i was building my life, my high cholesterol was contributing to plaque buildupin. that's why my doctor prescribed crestor. she said plaque buildup in arteries is a real reason to lower cholesterol. and t

. >>> after nearly a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer patrick swayze died. his publicist says the 57-year-old actor died we had -- with his family by his side. carla wohl looks back at the life and career and the man who gave us the time of our lives. >> reporter: patrick swayze will best be remembered as the sexy dance instructor johnny castle in the film "dirty dancing." >> nobody puts baby in the corner. >> reporter: perfect for the hunky one-time ballet dancer. audiences were attracted to his sensual moves and handsome looks. >> last month, i mean, juju bees to keep alive. this month women stuffing diamonds in my pockets. >> reporter: the film was a hit and producers eager to give him roles. >> why don't you explain it to me? >> >> he often played charismatic fighters but feared he would be type cast. >> think of it this way, you'll go to heaven. >> reporter: in 1990 he landed the lead in "ghost" playing a murdered man who returns as a spirit. >> if i could just touch you once more. >> reporter: the role earned him critical acclaim and coveted spot on "s

swayze lost his battle to pancreatic cancer yesterday. he is known for his roles in "the outsiders" and in "red dawn." swayze made his leap to fame in 1987 when he starred in "dirty dancing." the training he got from his mother, a ballet choreographer helped him shine in that role and in broadway roles later in his career. his role in the 1990 film "ghost" cemented his status as a leading man. swayze announced his pancreatic diagnose last year but kept working through radiation and chemotherapy treatments. he played in the a&e series called "the beast." swayze was 57ears old. >>> coming up on news4 at 6:00, new developments in the murder of a yale university graduate student. what police are saying about the case. >>> a commuter train crash injured more than a dozen people in boston today. >> federal authorities raided two airports. >> u.s. special forces in somalia killed one of the most wanted. >> we had clouds coming in and showers. lyndsay has sports. >> coming up, tom brady in full effect on "monday night football." >>> this evening,

actor patrick swayze died from cancer yesterday at age 57.e first became very famous in the movie dirty dancing. ♪ i've had the time of my life ♪ and i every open door ♪ and i owe it all to you ♪ bill: i'm going to do that on the factor tomorrow night. i'm going to leap into the camera. mr. swayze's co-star in that film is the daughter of what famous actor? cards up, please. the answer is c joel grey. >> i won except for the third one. bill: that's like saying hey, it was sunny except for the rain. >> i'm the weather guy. bill: doocy leads with one to go. this is the hardest one. question number 56789 oprah winfrey previewed a new season of her show with an interview with espn erin andrews. >> i'm sure have you heard people say it could have been a publicity stunt because you apparently look so good in it that who looks that good walking around, you know, naked. how do you feel when you hear that? >> disappointed. >> yeah. >> especially when it came from females as well. i would never do this to myself. bill: ok, now, how many years has oprah

patrick swayze, pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. wife by his side. >> co-stars are beginning to release statements on his spirit and his heart. his co-star from "ghost," whoopi goldberg said, quote, patrick was a really good man. a funny man. and one who i owe much that i can never repay. >> and the combinations you saw in him. his mother was a dancer. his father was a texas cowboy. and he worked both over the years, bringing a weathered charm to some very memorable roles. ♪ i'll tell you something >> reporter: he was an invitation into a more experienced world. ♪ i had the time of my life >> reporter: also credible as a rugged bouncer. a thrill-seeking surfer. and then, "ghost," the film that secured his place among romantic leads. no one would ever look at a pottery wheel quite the same way again. ♪ i'll be coming home wait for me ♪ ♪ whoa, my love >> reporter: a real-life cowboy, who began on "the outsiders" and then, "dirty dancing," the tiny film, that celebrated small acts of courage. ♪ will you be my girl >> reporter: for the

patrick swayze lost his battle with cancer just a few hours ago. the star of screen, stage, tv, known for his roles in dirty dancing and ghost. fox's jill dobson has more on his life and legacy. >> reporter: he could hold his own against any leading man. but patrick swayze was best known for sweeping women off their feet. he learned those moves growing up in houston, texas. born august 18th, 1952, one of five children. his mher, pat, was a dance teacher, his father, jesse, a cowboy turned engineer. it was in the studio where he met his future wife, lisa. the two were married since 1975. you're the one thing. >> i can't get enough of ♪ ♪ ♪ >>eporter: the role of a lifetime for the dancer turned actor came in 1987, dirty dancing. as johnny, he won the hearts of women, worldwide, earning a golden globe nomination. lightning struck a second time for patrick swayze when he teamed up with goldburg and moore, playing the murdered husband in the 1990 smash, ghost. he earned another golden globe nomination for that role. then he focused on what he calls mor

today, hollywood says good-bye to actor patrick swayze. there's a big reason to lower high cholesterol... dangerous plaque that can build up in arteries. it's called atherosclerosis--or athero. and high cholesterol is a major factor. but crestor can help slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. go to arterytour.com and take an interactive tour to learn how plaque builds up. and then ask your doctor if crestor is right for you. along with diet, crestor does more than lower bad cholesterol and raise good. crestor is proven to slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. crestor isn't for everyone, like people with liver disease, or women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. simple blood tests will check for liver problems. you should tell your doctor about other medicines you're taking or if you have muscle pain or weakness. that could be a sign of serious side effects. learn more about plaque buildup at arterytour.com. then ask your doctor if it's time for crestor. if you can't afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help

swayze writes about the moment when doctors gave him the bad news.an thinking to myself, i've had more lifetimes than any ten people put together, and it's been an amazing ride. so this is okay. >> if i leave this earth, i want to leave this earth just knowing i've tried to give something back and tried to do something worthwhile with myself. and that keeps me going. >> reporter: after months of radiation and chemotherapy, swayze rallied through a grueling five-month shoot in chicago to play the lead in an a&e television series called "the beast." lisa was with him every day. >> you can trust your damn case file, and you can trust me. >> reporter: swayze writes of the experience, "i continued with chemotherapy all the way through the shoot, but i never took any painkillers since they dull not only your pain but also your sharpness." last summer he and lisa renewed their wedding vows. his pledge to her included these words. "together, we've created journeys that were beyond anything we could imagine. yet you still take my breath away. i'm still not co

. >> a memorial for patrick swayze is growing. hollywood is remembering the actor, next. >> and why need a lift? hey buddy, i appreciate the ride, you know. no problem. ♪ mind if i take a shortcut? yeah, sure. ♪ i knew the subaru legacy was the smart choice... what i didn't expect... was the fun. the all-new subaru legacy. feel the love. ("whish, whish") here's the solution. (applause) is it a bandage you ask? no! it's famous, drug free breathe right. (squeaky noise) ingenious flexible strips that fit your nose to gently open your nasal passages... (free air/deep breath) ...for up to 31% more airflow. (female) wow! (announcer) you'll breathe better so you'll sleep better! small strip. big relief. bright idea! breathe better. sleep better. breathe right. . >> patrick swayze fans remembering him today on hollywood's walk of fame. flowers covered his star, on hollywood boulevard. swayze remembered most for his roles in dirty dancing and road house, died of pancreatic cancer. >> roadhouse, i mean, come on. because he was a simple man

swayze appeared to be the most decent man anyone could hope to be.y a lot of people thinking of him today. we're also opening up our i-report page as well. we look forward to getting reports from you. let's geto to the graphic. you have blog, facebook, twitter pages, many people posting memories and many posting youtube links or links to photos or their favorite fan sites. that kind of thing. a lot to check out throughout the day as we look back on this man's life and career. >> all right. very good. thanks so much. >>> a lot going on this morning. in fact, cnn crews are in place to break it all down for you. let's check in with our correspondents beginning with deb in new york. good morning to you, deb. >> good morning. investigators are trying to find out whether there was a bona fide threat or there federal agents jumped the gun. >>> i'm brianna keilar on capitol hill where democrats are planning a vote to give congressman joe wilson a verbal slap on the wrist. a public slap on the wrist. republicans say it's politics. is it? i'll have details com

that was so romantic. >> i'll remember dirty dancing. >> patrick swayze. he led a courageous fight and i think people counted him out a lot earlier. >> and cruelly, some of the tabloids gave him weeks to live. >> he was a fighter. >>> we turn tour attention to the weather. if you liked yesterday, you'll like today. it's pretty much the same. here is your bus stop forecast. as you get the kids ready for school, the sun is up, a lot of sunshine out there. we'll see lots of sunshine today. temperatures currently in the 60s. here is a look at the satellite radar for the region for now. and we have mostly clear skies. there are a few more clouds out there. clouds begin to build in tonight. reagan national reporting a temperature of 68 degrees. that's a new temperature that just came in. 68 degrees; relative humidity 78%. winds are calm. barometic pressure on the rise. forecast for today, warm but not humid. warm and 85 degrees downtown. we'll have more coming up in just a little bit. and enjoy it today because things change tomorrow. >> did you listen, julie wr