Patrick Swayze’s lesser known brother Don is the mirror image of the late star
Fans of Patrick Swayze might think they’re seeing a Ghost of the man who left a huge void in Hollywood when he tragically died in 2009.
When Swayze died at only 57, he left behind a brother who is blessed with the same chiseled jaw line and the dreamy inviting eyes of the actor who made women swoon.
After flaunting his impressive dance moves as Johnny Castle in 1987’s Dirty Dancing, Patrick Swayze’s title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive was well deserved.
The singer-songwriter was a leading man, who effortlessly played dramatic, romantic or comedic roles. Growing up with a mother who was a dance instructor, Swayze was also swift on his feet.
But sadly, on September 14, 2009, the singer of “She’s Like the Wind,” lost his 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Houston-born Swayze, 57, left behind his wife Lisa Niemi and his three siblings, his brothers Donny and Sean, and an adopted younger sister Bambi.
Their eldest sister, Vicky Lynn, who was accomplished in performing arts, died at 45 by suicide in 1994.
Remembering the star
Niemi, who was married to the heartthrob 34 years, said she continues hearing his voice – without Whoopi Goldberg channeling his spirit – in her head.
“He comments on what I’m doing. When I need a bolstering up or something’s going on, I can ask him in my head, and I hear exactly what he’s saying, which is generally, ‘Come on, girl, get real.’” She adds, “Just because somebody’s gone doesn’t end your relationship with them.”
Meanwhile, when Jennifer Grey learned her Dirty Dancing co-star died, she said he “was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace.”
Recalling some precious moments with the star, she adds, “Gorgeous and strong, he was a real cowboy with a tender heart. He was fearless and insisted on always doing his own stunts, so it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified.”
Also calling him a “cowboy,” Don Swayze shared a sweet Facebook post of his big brother.
Attached to a photo of the two brothers are the words: “You were my hero, my mentor, my best friend, my big brother! Every day, I think of you and the influence you have on me! You were a bad ass.” The post continues, “A sweet cowboy with a heart of gold. I love you and I miss you terribly!”
Don Swayze
Inspired by his talents, Don, who bears a striking resemblance to his older brother, followed his Swayze’s path to Hollywood.
The 65-year-old, who like his brother grew up in their mother’s Houston dance studio, first appeared as a dancer, in an uncredited role, in 1980’s Urban Cowboy, which stars John Travolta and Debra Winger.
Patrick Swayze was constantly pushed by his mom, Patsy Swayze.
“Patsy was a force to be reckoned with, she was a force of nature,” Patrick’s manager, Kate Edwards, said in the documentary I Am Patrick Swayze.
Even Patrick’s brother, Don Swayze, noticed how his mom treated Patrick.
“He always thought mom was so strict and hard on him, and the way I saw it was she just used that to spur him on,” Don explained. “He was everything to my mother. When he would leave the room she would turn to the person text to her and just brag, ‘That’s my beautiful, oldest son, isn’t he wonderful!’”
In 1991, Don earned a starring role in the drama-thriller film Edge of Honor, appearing alongside Corey Feldman.
Following that, he’s had minor roles in movies like 1994’s Pontiac Moon with Ted Danson, and 2015’s The Night Crew, starring Danny Trejo.
In addition to film roles, Don loaned his chiseled jawline and rugged good looks to soap operas The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives, along with several other TV series like Murder, She Wrote, The X-Files, NYPD Blue and NCIS.
Don, the lesser-known Swayze brother, appears in I am Patrick Swayze, a documentary on the life of the Point Break star.
Stepping out of the large shadow cast by his incredible sibling, Don and his wife Charlene operate Swayze Ranch, an urban farm in Bonsall, California, that offers animal therapy.
He also spoke a lot about his brother and his relationship to their mother.
“Pleasing Mom and Dad was important to my brother. He had Mom with the dance and theatre expectations, but Dad who had always kept us grounded,” Don says. “I think it was important for my big brother to show Dad that, still grounded Dad, still a chip off the old block. My father died very suddenly. Patrick was real quiet when my father died, he was like stunned.”
“My older brother started drinking and instead of going the other way, he sort of went down the path that my father went down. He would have a few drinks himself, start tearing ass in his Delorian on the windy streets of Mulholland,” Don reveals.
Patrick Swayze lives forever as Johnny Castle and in the image of his brother Don. Did you know Swayze had a lookalike brother?
Don Swayze is exceptional just like his deceased big brother Patrick Swayze!
