The Patrick Swayze Movie That Got Away—and Haunted Him
Patrick Swayze, star of Dirty Dancing and Ghost, always felt a deep regret over missing out on Urban Cowboy—a role he believed was meant for him.
Some actors are lucky enough to leave their mark on film history, but Patrick Swayze managed to do it more than once. With unforgettable performances in movies like Dirty Dancing and Ghost , Swayze became a household name and a symbol of cinematic nostalgia. His roles in The Outsiders, Road House, and Donnie Darko only added to his legacy, making it seem like he had little to regret about his career.
Yet, even with all his success, there was one part that slipped through his fingers—a role he never stopped wishing he’d landed. Early on, Swayze had his sights set on a film that seemed almost custom-made for him. That movie was 1980’s Urban Cowboy, a story about a young man from Texas who loved to dance. For Swayze, a Houston native who’d trained in classical ballet since childhood, it felt like destiny.
Missed Chances and Unforgettable Parallels
At the time, Swayze was tied up in Los Angeles filming Skatetown, USA, a roller disco musical that captured a fleeting trend. Meanwhile, the lead in Urban Cowboy went to John Travolta, who had just come off a massive hit with Grease. The disappointment stung even more because Swayze had recently played Danny Zuko in the Broadway version of Grease, mirroring Travolta’s path. Losing out on both roles to the same actor was a tough pill to swallow.
But the personal connections ran even deeper. Swayze’s mother, Patsy Swayze, was the choreographer for Urban Cowboy, and she brought on Swayze’s partner, Lisa Niemi, to work alongside her. While his family and future wife were involved in a project he felt born to lead, Swayze was stuck working on a film he didn’t care much for. The sense of missing out was hard to shake.
“A Role I Was Born For”
Reflecting on the experience, Swayze once said,
“It tore me up to think of what I could have done with that character and how it would have launched my career. Country dancing was in my DNA, and as much as I liked John, I hated giving someone else tips on how to play a role I was born for.”
Despite the disappointment, Swayze didn’t hold a grudge for long. As soon as filming wrapped on Skatetown, USA, he headed back to Houston. When he finally met Travolta, any lingering resentment faded, and he even helped his former rival pick up a few dance moves.