Barbara Walters (interviewed Swayze for a 2009 ABC special that will re-air on Wednesday): “He fought the bravest battle and sadly lost. My heart goes out to his wonderful Lisa, his wife and soulmate for 34 years.”

Demi Moore (Ghost co-star): “Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives. In the words of Sam to Molly, ‘It’s amazing Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.’ I will miss you.”

Beeban Kidron (directed To Wong Foo…): “Patrick was graceful in body and remarkably swift in his thinking. He often referred to the things in his life that were hard with a wry sense of humour rather than bitterness. I loved that he was always surprised that he was the subject of so much female
attention and when I worked with hm on To Wong Foo his performance was brave funny and stunningly empathetic. We’ll miss him.”

John Leguizamo (co-starred in To Wong Foo…): “Patrick, Wesley and I were the United Colors of Benetton on that set, Too Wrong Foo, Thanks for Nothing Julie Newmar (ha)! Wesley was the funny, I was too much, and Patrick was the whimsical one. He had the gift of the Texan storyteller. He always had a great tale of mythic proportions to regale us, as we waited in those painful outfits. It’s tough to see such a young spirit and positive individual leave us. Why is it always the good ones that are taken too soon?”

Ralph Macchio (co-starred in The Outsiders): “Patrick fought the ultimate fight as passionate as he embraced his life…with strength, dignity and grace. His love of his work and family was inspirational. He touched so many…I am proud to have shared in his journey….Remembering my fellow greaser. Stay Gold, buddy…”

Whoopi Goldberg (co-starred in Ghost): “Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can’t ever repay. I believe in Ghost‘s message, so he’ll always be near.”

Lea Thompson (co-starred in Red Dawn): “He had an amazing zest for life. He really did. He’s one of those people that just really knows how to wring the most out of every day. I found that inspirational then and I’ve held that inspiration for all these years…I think of how much passion he had and discipline he had for his work, and that’s what I remember, along with his incredible sense of humor and how much fun he liked to have. And I regret that I didn’t get to spend more time with him.”

Gary Busey (co-starred in Point Break): “Patrick Swayze was a kindred spirit and a spiritual brother of mine. His focus was center target and his purpose was with faith, kindness, grace, understanding, and love. Patrick Swayze’s book of life will never be over because he’s moved on to the spiritual plateau where life is forever.”

Keanu Reeves (co-starred in Point Break), told People: “He was a beautiful person, an artist. Patrick, he just wanted to experience life and for his work he wanted to take the opportunity of the film and it gave him that sense….He lived life to the fullest.”

Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing co-star): “Patrick was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace. Gorgeous and strong, he was a real cowboy with a tender heart. He was fearless and insisted on always doing his own stunts, so it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified. When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing,  practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see.  My heart goes out to his wife and childhood sweetheart, Lisa Niemi, to his mom, Patsy, and to the rest of their family.”

Kenny Ortega (choreographer, Dirty Dancing and To Wong Foo…): “Patrick was a great human being who I knew as a loving son, husband, brother and friend. He was one of the most creative, enjoyable and ALIVE people I knew. He did as much for dancing as any man of our generation. Patrick loved life, and had SUCH an enthusiasm for everything he did. If he could climb it he climbed it. If he could write it, he wrote it. If he could dance it, well, we all know he did. He lived.”

C. Thomas Howell (co-starred in The Outsiders, Red Dawn and Grandview, U.S.A.): “I have always had a special place in my heart for Patrick. While I was fortunate enough to work with him in three films, it was our passion for horses that forged a friendship between us that I treasure to this day. Not only did we lose a fine actor today, I lost my older Outsiders brother. My heart goes out to not only his entire family, but all his fans as well.”

Laura Ziskin (executive producer of Stand Up to Cancer telethon): “I was heartbroken to hear that pancreatic cancer has taken Patrick Swayze away from us. He was only 57. He is one of 1,500 people who died in this country today from cancer. He seduced us all 20 years ago in Dirty Dancing; countless roles later, he used his voice to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease. On September 5, 2008, we were honored to have him introduce Stand Up To Cancer‘s big show. His words that day are ringing in my ears now, reminding me both of the bravery he demonstrated in facing cancer and the importance of finding a cure. It is up to all of us to stand up to this disease in honor of Patrick and everyone who suffers from it.”

Travis Fimmel (co-starred in The Beast): “He was an inspiration, a gentleman and I was blessed to have worked with him and even more blessed to have called him my friend. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Lisa and their families.”

Michael Dinner (directed pilot episode of The Beast): “When a director and actor work together, in the best of circumstances, it is a wonderful, intense, learning experience. I feel fortunate to have worked with Patrick, to have had the privilege to experience his passion and his bravery, to have known him even for a brief time. And I will miss him very much.”

A&E (network behind The Beast): “We are saddened by the loss of one of our generation’s greatest talents and a member of the A&E family. Patrick’s work on The Beast was an inspiration to us all. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his wife Lisa and his entire family during this difficult time.”