4 Years Before His Death, Patrick Swayze Shared the Heartfelt Reason He Believed “Dirty Dancing” Was Such a Hit
4 Years Before His Death, Patrick Swayze Shared the Heartfelt Reason He Believed “Dirty Dancing” Was Such a Hit
Angela AndaloroWed, October 21, 2026 at 9:26 PM UTC
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Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in ‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)Credit: Vestron/Kobal/Shutterstock -
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey costarred in 1987’s Dirty Dancing, which quickly became a hit
In a 2005 interview, Swayze spoke about the film’s impact and why it’s so beloved by audiences, decades later
Dirty Dancing is one of the ‘80s hits featured in PEOPLE’s latest special issue, honoring a decade where pop culture exploded like never before
Patrick Swayze believed in Dirty Dancing from the moment he signed on to the film.
The actor opened up about his feelings on the classic in a 2005 interview with the American Film Institute. Swayze told the outlet, “Dirty Dancing was a big event in my life.”
“At the time of doing the project, you don’t know what something is going to turn out to be. You just are trying to be as real with the characters as you possibly can and bring as much truth to the performance, as well as survive never getting to your major dance numbers until four o’clock in the morning, when you’ve got a torn groin muscle and a pulled muscle in your back,” he shared.
Swayze said that while making the movie, the cast was aware that “something special was happening.”
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in ‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)Credit: vestron
Dirty Dancing hit theaters in 1987 and was an instant cultural phenomenon, thanks to the onscreen chemistry between Swayze and costar Jennifer Grey, as well as its best-selling soundtrack. The film won the Oscar for Best Original Song for “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
“It was one of those creative experiences to where people knew we were doing something special. We knew we were doing something more than just a coming-of-age movie,” he explained.
“But Dirty Dancing has stayed around for so long because it’s got so much heart. To me, it’s not about the sensuality. It’s really about people trying to find themselves. This young dance instructor feeling like he’s nothing but a product, and this young girl trying to find out who she is in a society of restrictions, when she’s got such an amazing take on things,” he continued. “And on a certain level, it’s really about the fabulous, funky girl getting the guy because of what she’s got in her heart. To me, that’s the reason Dirty Dancing has stayed around for so long.”
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Patrick Swayze at the premiere of ‘One Last Dance’ (2003)Credit: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic
Grey will reprise her role in the forthcoming Dirty Dancing sequel, alongside a group of new young actors. Fans were concerned about how Swayze’s character might appear after the actor’s death in 2009 at age 57 of pancreatic cancer.
Grey told PEOPLE in 2020 that the film won’t attempt to recreate the chemistry between herself and Swayze.
“All I can say is there is no replacing anyone who’s passed—you never try to repeat anything that’s magic like that,” she said. “You just go for something different.”
PEOPLE: The 80s, a special edition issue on newsstands now
Dirty Dancing is one of the many captivating films of the 80s featured in PEOPLE’s The 80s issue, celebrating the pop culture moments and figures who made the decade so unforgettable.
Readers can also catch up with familiar ‘80s stars and their famous children, then test their knowledge with a big ‘80s hair quiz. Colorful, fun, and packed with memories, People: The ‘80s is a celebration of the decade that still knows how to party!
PEOPLE’s special issue is available on newsstands and Amazon.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
