{"id":235311,"date":"2026-04-18T16:54:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T16:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/18\/patrick-swayzes-widow-lisa-has-read-new-dirty-dancing-script-confirms-it-will-honor-late-husband\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T16:54:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T16:54:22","slug":"patrick-swayzes-widow-lisa-has-read-new-dirty-dancing-script-confirms-it-will-honor-late-husband","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/18\/patrick-swayzes-widow-lisa-has-read-new-dirty-dancing-script-confirms-it-will-honor-late-husband\/","title":{"rendered":"Patrick Swayze\u2019s Widow Lisa Has Read New \u2018Dirty Dancing\u2019 Script, Confirms It Will Honor Late Husband"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Patrick Swayze\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> widow, Lisa Niemi Swayze<\/strong><\/a>, is sharing her thoughts on the upcoming Dirty Dancing<\/em><\/a> sequel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually got to read the script,\u201d Lisa, 69, exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> while discussing the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network\u2019s<\/a> annual Purple Stride Walk. \u201cI was very moved by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patrick, who died in 2009\u00a0 after a 22-month battle with pancreatic cancer at age 57, starred in the original 1987 film as Johnny Castle, a charismatic but closed-off dance instructor who falls in love with Jennifer Grey\u2019s<\/strong> Frances \u201cBaby\u201d Houseman at a resort in the 1960s. Grey, 66, announced earlier this year that a new installment of the franchise was in the works.<\/p>\n

Despite doubts from some fans, Lisa told Us<\/em> that the upcoming sequel does find ways to incorporate Patrick into the story, noting that she appreciated how it \u201ctreated the handling\u201d Johnny\u2019s character.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Everything to Know About the Long-Awaited ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tDecades after the original film\u2019s release, Dirty Dancing is returning with a highly anticipated sequel. The 1987 classic followed Frances \u201cBaby\u201d Houseman (Jennifer Grey) as she spent the summer with her family at Kellerman\u2019s resort in the Catskills. During her stay, she falls in love with the camp\u2019s dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). Between [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be very curious to see how it comes about,\u201d she added. \u201cI wish [them] the best of luck. They\u2019ve been working on it [for] quite a while. And I can\u2019t wait to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lionsgate confirmed in January that the follow-up to the beloved film would begin production later in the year, with Grey reprising her role as Baby and serving as executive producer. Hunger Games and Crazy Rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson<\/strong> and Brad Simpson<\/strong> will also produce, with Kim Rosenstock<\/strong> writing the script.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe role of Baby has held a very deep and meaningful place in my heart, as it has in the hearts of so many fans over the years,\u201d Grey shared in a January press release. \u201cI\u2019ve long wondered where we might find Baby years later and what her life might be like, but it\u2019s taken time to assemble the kind of people that I felt could be entrusted to build on the legacy of the original film.\u201d<\/p>\n

The announcement faced immediate backlash<\/a> from some die-hard fans, who expressed disappointment that a new film was being made without Patrick. Some called it out as a \u201cdisrespectful\u201d move, claiming there \u201cis no Dirty Dancing<\/em> without Patrick Swayze.\u201d Others pointed out that a 2004 sequel, titled Havana Nights<\/em>, already exists and features Patrick in a supporting role.<\/p>\n

Grey addressed the mixed reactions while speaking to People<\/em> earlier this year, promising that all of her former costars\u2019 legacies will remain in tact.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I can say is there is no replacing anyone who\u2019s passed \u2014 you never try to repeat anything that\u2019s magic like that,\u201d she told the outlet at the time. \u201cYou just go for something different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patrick, after all, is not the only Dirty Dancing<\/em> cast member who has passed away<\/a> since the film premiered. Jack Weston<\/strong>, who played resort owner Max Kellerman, and Max Cantor<\/strong>, who appeared as waiter Robbie, both died in 1996. Jerry Orbach<\/strong>, who portrayed Baby\u2019s father Dr. Jake Houseman, died in 2004. The movie also starred Kelly Bishop<\/strong>, Cynthia Rhodes<\/strong>, Jane Brucker<\/strong>, Wayne Knight<\/strong>, Lonny Price<\/strong>, Neal Jones<\/strong> and Miranda Garrison<\/strong>. It has not been confirmed whether or not they will return.<\/p>\n

Lisa, for her part, is just happy that her late husband remains in people\u2019s hearts, even nearly two decades after his death. Patrick\u2019s still come up to her \u201call the time\u201d to gush over their love for him, which is something welcomes with open arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople will say, \u2018Patrick was my favorite actor. I was so in love with Patrick when I was X years old.\u2019 And I just love it that people still love them so much,\u201d she told Us<\/em>. \u201cMy response always is, \u2018You have really good taste.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Much of Lisa\u2019s life is about keeping Patrick\u2019s spirit alive, including through her advocacy with PanCAN, an organization she describes as a \u201cone-stop shop\u201d for pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers.<\/p>\n

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