Patrick Swayze’s widow Lisa Niemi has revealed she still feels close to her late husband, but still misses him more than a decade after his death.
The multitalented artist, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2009, would have turned 70 Thursday.
‘I don’t think there’s anything I don’t miss about him,’ His widow Niemi, 66, shared with Entertainment Tonight.
Missing him: Lisa Niemi, 66, says she still misses her husband, Patrick Swayze, more than a decade after his death explaining, ‘I don’t think there’s anything I don’t miss about him.’ Seen in 2007
In commenting on the upcoming anniversary of the film that made her husband a superstar, Lisa told ET she still feels close to him.
‘It’s very strange to have someone so far away and yet have them still so incredibly close in your heart,’ she said.
‘I feel like he’s with me every day, but of course it’d be nice to have him physically in the room, but, I tell you what, we had a great ride and there’s so much to be grateful for.’
Tragedy: The talented actor died from pancreatic cancer in 2009; seen in 2006
Dirty Dancing: The actor and singer became a household name after his turn as Johnny Castle in the summer blockbuster Dirty Dancing, which was released 35 years ago this weekend
Nomination: Patrick received a Golden Globe nomination for his work in the romantic drama, seen here with Jennifer Grey as Baby
The actor was nominated for a Golden Globe award for his work in Dirty Dancing, in which he taught Jennifer Grey’s awkward Baby to dance and to become true to herself.
The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and opened in theaters August 21, 1987.
He continued to hone his craft in the romantic drama Ghost in 1990 with Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg.
Ghost: This scene from 1990’s Ghost became an iconic movie moment, but in his autobiography Time of My Life, the actor revealed he was not confident shooting love scenes
Oscars: Ghost won two Academy Awards, including best original screenplay and best supporting actress for Whoopi Goldberg
The film won two Oscars for best original screenplay and a best supporting actress award for Whoopi as a psychic who helped the Swayze’s character communicate with his bereaved girlfriend and keep her safe.
In his autobiography Time of My Life, Patrick revealed he wasn’t as confident in love scenes as he appeared on screen. ‘Of all the scenes I ever shot, I probably felt least confident about the love scenes.’
‘So it’s ironic that the clip of Demi and me at the pottery wheel is one of the best known of my whole career.’
Emotional: In a recently resurfaced interview for 1995’s To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, the action star said his role as drag queen Vida was ‘the most emotional experience I’ve ever had’
Patrick who had been earning a reputation as an action star, as well as a romantic lead, surprised audiences when he signed on to star as a drag queen in the comedy, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.
In a recently resurfaced interview with Bryant Gumble, 73, on the Today show in 1995, the star said playing the role of Vida was special for him.
‘So what started out to be a fun lark, you know, where I was going to just have a kick and be outrageous, it turned out to be the most emotional experience I’ve ever had.’