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While celebrity deaths sprout emotional tributes left, right, and center, they do not always end up as tasteful and special as they set out to be. However, in the case of the late actor Patrick Swayze and ABC’s show Dancing with the Stars, the dance tribute was dirty, and that was perfect, according to E! Online.

The results that eliminated the first two contestants from Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night were put on the backburner as some of the show’s professional dancers took to the stage in a dancing Swayze tribute.

The late actor, known for his emotional role in the movie “Ghost” but also for his hearthrob performance in “Dirty Dancing,” would have been proud.

The tribute began with Chelsie Hightower and Dmitry Chaplin, both from So You Think You Can Dance fame, doing a romantic piece to “She’s Like the Wind.” This was followed by real-life husband and wife duo Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya waltzing to “Unchained Melody.” It was then that “Dirty Dancing” was really brought to life, with Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke dancing to the Oscar-winning song,”Time Of My Life,” and ending with the famous lift where Swayze hoisted Jennifer Grey into the air at the end of the movie. The tribute was received warmly by those who watched it.

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In a year littered with celebrity passings, one more soul was added to the list today as Houston-born actor Patrick Swayze died- after a nearly two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 57-year-old Dirty Dancing star passed away with family at his side.

“Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months,” said a statement released Monday evening in Los Angeles by his publicist, Annett Wolf. No other details were given.

Swayze first came forward about his diagnosis in spring 2008, but decided to undergo treatments at the Stanford University Medical Center and still continue working at the same time-most recently on A&E’s now cancelled series The Beast. The actor was told he had Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN), a rare stage IV pancreatic cancer.

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Patrick Swayze is still fighting the battle of life.

According to E! News, despite reports that said Swayze had ceased chemotherapy treatments and all other medication and instead was focusing on making his remaining time comfortable, his publicist is adamantly denying the claims.

“Nothing has changed,” Annett Wolf tells E! News. “Patrick is still receiving his treatment.”

The 56-year-old announced last year that he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Earlier this month, he checked himself into a hospital after coming down with pneumonia, said at the time to be a complication of his ongoing chemotherapy treatments.

As it is, it’s the second time in as many months erroneous reports regarding Swayze’s health have been shot down. Back in December he was forced to deny rumors that he was on his deathbed.

Following a visit to the hospital with case of pneumonia, Patrick Swayze is back on his feet and ready to get back to promoting his new series on A&E, The Beast.

According to E! News, Swayze checked himself into the hospital last week with a continuous cough, which was later confirmed to be pneumonia. However, the actor’s rep, Annet Wolf, announced that “Patrick Swayze is home after a brief hospitalization for pneumonia.”

Swayze, who is battling pancreatic cancer as well, has responded well to his treatment. “I am alive and plan on continuing to stay that way” said Swayze.

Patrick Swayze was spotted at LAX looking healthy and happy, reports People magazine.

“I’m a miracle dude … I don’t know why,” Swayze told photographers and fans as he the left Los Angeles Airport on Sunday.

Back in March, Swayze began chemotherapy after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Later in April, the 55-year-old actor and his wife, Lisa, released a statement saying they were “thrilled” with his response to treatment.

“We can’t help but feel that all the prayers, meditations and good thoughts sent his way by everyone has made a difference. Thank you!” the couple said.

The actor was out flying to Chicago to film his new TV series for A & E, ‘The Beast.’

Patrick Swayze is set to star in the A&E drama “The Beast.”

“I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multi-layered, unpredictable and downright entertaining, as well as a project this current and cutting edged,” said Swayze in a statement from the network.

Production on the show is set to begin this summer and will film on location in Chicago. In the show, Swayze will play veteran FBI agent Charles Baker who is assigned to teach his rookie partner his eccentric undercover crime-solving methods.

The show is scheduled to premiere early 2009. The “Dirty Dancing” star is said to be responding well to treatment for pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing care at Stanford University Medical Center.

Patrick Swayze’s doctor and rep have spoken out to refute claims by media outlets today that the actor is near death.

It began when The National Enquirer reported that Swayze, best known for starring roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost,” had pancreatic cancer and was not expected to survive.

The tabloid said the 55-year-old actor was diagnosed in January and has been going to the Stanford Medical Centre to receive chemotherapy treatments, but they had been unsuccessful.

According to the Enquirer, the actor was told he had five weeks left to live.

Numerous media outlets picked up on the Enquirer’s claims, but doubt was cast on the reports by a “very good source” who reportedly told celebrity blogger Perez Hilton that Swayze has seemed fine in recent days.

“Patrick has been at rehearsals for a new cheerleading movie at Century City studio frequently lately, and he definitely does not look like he has five more weeks of life left. I’m not sure of his medical condition, but if he is gravely ill, he is hiding it very well,” the source said.

Now, Swayze’s doctor has confirmed that the actor has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer but the prognosis is good.

“Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far,” Dr. Patrick George said in a statement. “All of the reports stating the time frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic.”

The actor’s rep said: “Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family.”

Swayze recently filmed a pilot for an A&E cable network FBI series called “The Beast.”