It's been almost 13 years since Patrick Swayze died far too young. The "Dirty Dancing" star would have turned 70 on Thursday. His widow Lisa Niemi takes this as an opportunity to remember the actor again with nostalgia.
When Patrick Swayze died in September 2009 at the age of 57, it shook many people around the world. And even today, the memory of the actor has not faded. Also and certainly not with Swayze's widow Lisa Niemi.
So Niemi took the 70th birthday, which her husband would have celebrated this Thursday, as an opportunity to remember Swayze again with nostalgia. "I don't think there's anything I don't miss about him," she told Entertainment Tonight magazine.
The 66-year-old remembers that her husband was truly unique. But it was also the little things that she would ultimately miss. "It's his laugh. It's the sound of his voice."
It feels strange that her husband has been dead for 13 years, explains Niemi: "It's very strange when someone is so far away and yet so incredibly close to your heart." Of course it would be nice to have him next to you, says Niemi. But even so, she has the feeling "that he is with me every day. We had a great time and there is so much for which we can be grateful."
Niemi also talks about Swayze's iconic role as Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing" again in the interview. The fact that the strip, which celebrates its 35th cinema anniversary in the United States this weekend, still inspires many people is "really unbelievable," she explains. I'm sure her husband would like that too. "To go on living like this as an artist and to continue working in such a positive way - what could be nicer?"
Niemi is sure that her husband would be less enthusiastic about the planned sequel to "Dirty Dancing" with Swayze's former film partner Jennifer Grey. "He wouldn't have done it again," says Niemi. "There have been several attempts at scripting a film like this, but Patrick had high standards and wouldn't have done it just for the money."
In the end, the original was "absolutely perfect," explains Niemi, adding: "I don't think you can just duplicate something like that." Finally, with a view to the announced sequel, she notes: "If they really do it, I can only hope that it will be really good, with its own handwriting, personality and inspiration."
Swayze and Niemi, who also used to be an actress, have known each other since they were teenagers. In 1975 they married. The marriage lasted 34 years until Swayze's death from pancreatic cancer, but remained childless.
