“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
Is there anyone on the planet who doesn’t know the famous line Patrick Swayze’s character Johnny Castle utters in the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing?”
But the reality was nobody could put Swayze in a corner. The star died in 2009 at the age of 57 from pancreatic cancer and to this day, it’s rare that one can turn on the television and not see one of his films airing or a TV special about him scheduled to run. (Last month, ABC News’ “ Superstar “ series profiled the prolific actor, dancer and action star, while Fox in February ran a special celebrity dance competition series, “The Real Dirty Dancing,” where celebrities relived the film’s memorable dance moments in the hope of becoming the next Baby and Johnny.)
Neal Fischer, host of the “Triviality” podcast and a lifelong Swayze fan, spent the last five to six years writing an homage to Swayze’s savviness. In “Being Patrick Swayze: Essential Teachings from the Master of the Mullet,” the west suburban LaGrange, Illinois resident takes readers through the late actor’s personal and professional life with behind-the-scenes stories, fun trivia with Easter eggs you didn’t know you were missing, fashion tips, quizzes, an official “Road House” drink menu, advice, and wisdom gleaned from Swayze’s roles and passion for the arts.
We talked with Fischer about why Patrick Swayze has remained in our hearts and on our minds to this day. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.