Direct answer: at what age Patrick Swayze died
Patrick Swayze died at age 57 on September 14, 2009, nearly 21 months after his stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis in late 2007. His death was attributed to complications from the disease, including pneumonia and a blood clot, in the context of his ongoing, aggressive treatment. This verified account outlines his age at death, timeline, cause of death, and clarifies common confusions with other cast members, based on authoritative obituaries and medical statements released at the time.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | September 14, 2009 | Obituaries, official statement |
| Age at death | 57 years old | Obituaries, official statement |
| Cause of death | Complications from pancreatic cancer (including pneumonia and blood clot) | Family statement, medical reports |
| Cancer diagnosis | Stage IV pancreatic cancer, November 2007 | Public statement, treatment updates |
| Treatment duration | Approximately 21 months from diagnosis to death | Reported timeline from statements |
Confirmed biographical context
Born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, Patrick Swayze achieved broad recognition for Dirty Dancing (1987) and Road House (1989), balancing film, television, and music throughout his career. His public diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer in November 2007 brought additional public attention, and he continued working on projects including the television series The Beast in 2009. Understanding his age at death requires anchoring to the medically confirmed timeline from diagnosis to his passing in September 2009.
How we know his age at death
Multiple credible obituaries from September 2009, including major national publications and his family’s official statement, reported his date of birth (August 18, 1952) and date of death (September 14, 2009). These sources establish that he was 57 years old at the time of his death. Age calculations based on these dates align, and no authoritative source reported a different age at death.
Circumstances of death
Patrick Swayze’s death was linked to complications from stage IV pancreatic cancer. Reports indicated that infections such as pneumonia, along with a blood clot, contributed to his decline in the final weeks and months. His wife, Lisa Niemi, and medical statements emphasized that he remained under treatment until very late in his course, with pneumonia being a terminal event in the context of advanced cancer and prolonged illness.
Pancreatic cancer and prognosis context
Stage IV pancreatic cancer is generally associated with a challenging prognosis, and survival beyond two years is uncommon, though some patients live longer with aggressive treatment and favorable tumor biology. Swayze’s course of approximately 21 months reflects this context: he survived substantially longer than typical median estimates while managing therapy and clinical complications. His public experience contributed significantly to conversations about cancer treatment and patient perspectives.
Common confusions and clarifications
Misinformation sometimes circulates online, including confusion with actors who died at similar ages or from cancer. One notable confusion involves John Ritter, who also died from an aortic dissection, not cancer, years earlier in 2003. Swayze’s cause of death, age, and cancer type are distinct and should not be conflated with those of other performers.
Legacy and public memory
Following his death, tributes highlighted Swayze’s dedication to performance during treatment, his impact on popular culture, and his openness about living with cancer. Memorial services and continued media coverage reinforced his status as a respected performer and advocate who used his public profile to draw attention to cancer research and patient experiences.
Summary of key points
- Patrick Swayze died on September 14, 2009, at age 57.
- His death resulted from complications of stage IV pancreatic cancer.
- He was diagnosed in November 2007, about 21 months before passing.
- Common confusions with other actors are not supported by verified records.
- Reliable sourcing from obituaries and family statements confirms these details.