Swayze: I Catch 'Myself With a Smile on My Face'

Cancer-stricken actor is working, 'proud' of it

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 29, 2008 12:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Patrick Swayze is healthy, working, and excited by the future, the New York Times reports. The actor, who is responding well to treatment for pancreatic cancer, is shooting a cop drama for A&E, The Beast. “I do find myself, at the end of the day, riding home sort of catching myself with a smile on my face,” he said. “I’m proud of what I’m doing.”

Swayze shot the pilot for The Beast before he was diagnosed and fought hard to continue the role. “There was a lot of disbelief,” one producer said of Swayze’s involvement in the project. “I genuinely think people thought we were crazy.” Swayze has been cleared by his doctors to work—a big victory considering his disease has a 5% five-year survival rate. “There’s more I want to do. Lots more,” Swayze said. “Get on with it.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Actor Patrick Swayze. (AP Photo)

Swayze in 2005. (AP Photo)

Patrick Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi. (AP Photo)

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I’m still fine to work, I haven’t changed — oh, I have changed, what am I saying? It’s a battle zone I go through. Chemo, no matter how you cut it, is hell on wheels. - Patrick Swayze

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Swayze: I Catch 'Myself With a Smile on My Face'