Look for a star.

This post is shamefully late, really. But, better late than never...

Johnny Castle. You balanced masculinity with charm. Grittiness with grace. Fancy feet with strong arms. You set the bar too high for many a young lady.

Here's a tribute to Patrick Swayze in a role that would come to define him. We all have the quote tattooed in our minds: "Nobody puts baby in a corner." Not to mention the music (oh, the music!), an awkward slice of the '80's in the film's late '60's setting. For all that can be said about the film, though, it can certainly be argued that Swayze brought a dignity to Dirty Dancing (1987) that was perhaps not implicit in the script. And this must have been due to his heart - his heart that possessed a rare tempering of sensitivity with strength and simplicity with a knowing depth.

I don't know that any of us ladies who grew up with him from The Outsiders (1983) to Donnie Darko (2001) were what you would call attracted to him as much as impressed with him and all that he contained. He was special. And we will miss him.

xoxo COUNCIL