Although she knew the musical would conjure up old emotions, she put on a brave face as she hit the town for the opening. “My friends told me not to come. They were scared that I’d start crying through the whole musical and wouldn’t make it through. I’m hoping to keep it together,” she told Celebuzz prior to the show.

Recalling the wonderful memories she had with her husband of 34 years, she gushed, “I’m a lucky woman to have had him. We had a great life together.”

Swayze battled pancreatic cancer and passed away in September 2009 at the age of 57.

Celebs Attend 'Ghost' on Broadway

6 Photos »

Reflecting on the musical’s plot, in which a man’s love for his partner enables him to remain on earth as a ghost and protect her, Lisa admits there were points after Patrick’s death that she wished he would have done the same. Now, she’s slowly moving on with her life with “more good days than bad days.”

As for her night out on Broadway, Lisa is glad that her late husband’s memory can live on through this new musical.

“It will be magical and probably bring up a lot of old feelings… I wish he was here to see it,” she said, adding that she has no doubt that Richard Fleeshman, who plays Sam, will nail the role and make it his own.

Ghost plays on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St.; 877-250-2929 or ghostonbroadway.com.

From James Franco to Lady Gaga, these drag-loving celebs have put on dresses (or in some cases trousers) for everything from movie roles to fashion-y photo shoots.

Which celeb makes the prettiest drag queen (or drag king)? Check out the complete gallery of celebs in drag and share your thoughts in the comments.

Six of the show’s professional dancers were tasked with dancing the tribute medley to the late Dirty Dancing hunk, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 14 at the age of 57.

Chelsie Hightower and Dmitry Chaplin danced to “She’s Like the Wind,” while Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya waltzed to “Unchained Melody.”

Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke ended the tribute with the amazing “Time of My Life” and that final lift into the air from the end of Dirty Dancing.

Swayze was also a guest mentor on the first season of Dancing With The Stars in 2005, which makes the tribute even more fitting.

According to excerpts from Swayze’s memoir, The Time of My Life, published by the New York Times on Wednesday, the actor came to grips with his imminent demise after experiencing an “emotional rollercoaster.”

Swayze wrote that, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008, “I had been excited about the upswing my life was on. Now it all seemed like a cruel joke. I couldn’t be dying—I had too much to live for!”

But eventually, he came to accept his eventual death and realized that, whether he beat his cancer or not, he could look back without regrets:

“I began thinking to myself, I’ve had more lifetimes than any 10 people put together, and it’s been an amazing ride. So this is okay.”

The Time of My Life, which Swayze co-wrote with his wife of 34 years, Lisa Niemi, will be published on September 29.

People magazine reports that Swayze—who cemented his star status with the 1987 classic Dirty Dancing and made a special appearance on DWTS‘s first U.S. season in 2005—will be honored on Dancing‘s September 23 live results show.

“We have some very fond memories of [Swayze] coming to help us our when we were a tiny little show way back when,” recalls executive producer Conrad Green. “He was one of the few people to integrate dance with being an A-list actor. He inspired many people and many of our pros to dance. We want to honor the great moments he’s brought to film by getting our dancers to do their interpretation to some music from his films.”

Seems fitting.

Let us know in the comments section: Will you tune in to see DWTS‘ Patrick Swayze tribute, and which songs do you hope they will use?

Click through our gallery for a look back at Swayze’s most memorable career moments.

Swayze’s publicist Annett Wolf says the actor died with family at his side. He came forward about his illness last spring, but continued working as he underwent treatments.

Vaulted to star status in 1987 with his performance in Dirty Dancing, a coming-of-age story set in a Catskills resort, Swayze enjoyed a varied Hollywood career. The 1990 film Ghost, in which he played a murdered man in the afterlife trying to re-connect with his fiancee, cemented his role as a crush-worthy leading man.

Before that, Swayze lit up the screen in a series of roles playing rugged young toughs, first in 1983′s The Outsiders, Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of the 1967 book, and then in 1984′s Red Dawn, the alternate-reality war movie about a Soviet invasion of the United States.

But it was Dirty Dancing that provided him with perhaps his greatest line: “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”

Swayze kept on working even after it was disclosed in March 2008 that he had a particularly deadly form of cancer. He has also said he and his wife were working on a memoir.

Most recently, he starred in The Beast, an A&E drama series that began in January, drawing positive reviews. Before the series started, Swayze was the subject of a one-hour “Barbara Walters Special” on ABC, talking about his fight with cancer. 

“I keep my heart and my soul and my spirit open to miracles,” he told Walters. But he said he was not going to pursue every experimental treatment that came along. If he were to “spend so much time chasing staying alive,” he said, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the time he had left. “I want to live.”

According to the site, Lionsgate is currently developing a remake to the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, which starred Patrick Swayze as dance instructor Johnny Castle and Jennifer Grey as love-struck camp attendee Frances “Baby” Houseman.

No word on casting yet, but tell us in the comments section: Who do you think should star in the remake? Or should it be made at all?

Swayze, the star of A&E’s The Beast—who is battling pancreatic cancer—released a statement to People about Richardson.

Richardson and Swayze starred together in 2002′s Waking Up In Reno.

“It is such a great loss to this community to lose an actress and person such as Natasha. Gifts like her don’t come along very often. It’s a rare thing in this industry to have someone with so much talent, beauty, and dedication and yet is imbued with such humility. I know for me and many other people, the world will be a different place without her,” Swayze’s statement reads.

Services for the actress, who died after sustaining blunt impact trauma to the head during a skiing accident outside of Montreal on March 16, were held on Sunday in upstate New York.

“My heart goes out to Liam [Neeson, her husband] and his two boys, but I’m sure that Natasha’s light is shining down on them,” Patrick’s statement ended.

Richardson was buried at a cemetery in Millbrook, New York.

And he’s reassuring his fans that it’s not over until he says it is.

“It’s amazing to me that the tabloids such as the National Enquirer print such negative stories about me and my health when there are so many positive things going on in my life right now. I’ve started a new chemotherapy and, once again, I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment,” he said in a statement to People.

In addition to a positive new treatment, Swayze says that he and his wife Lisa have also acquired a new addition to their household—a “12-week-old, Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named Kumasa.”

“I am starting work on my new book, in addition to enjoying the fantastic response from everyone on my A&E series The Beast. I hope in the future, the press will think twice about printing inaccuracies and painting an unpleasant picture when I have so much to be thankful for at this time.”

So there.

Go Swayze!

The 56-year-old actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, was spotted in Beverly Hills recently, looking frail and gaunt but puffing away as he waited for his wife, Lisa Niemi, to pick up a take-out pizza.

According to the Daily Mail, Swayze sucked down several cigarettes in less than 10 minutes while waiting in the car for Niemi.

“He was puffing away and appeared as if he didn’t have a care in the world,” one onlooker told the pqper. “It’s so sad.”

And probably not the best idea for a guy who was just hospitalized for pneumonia a few weeks ago.

Swayze, who’s latest project is A&E series The Beast and admits that his struggle with cancer has been “hell,” said in a recent interview, “When it looks like I may live longer than five minutes I’ll drop cigarettes like a hot potato.”

Readers, have your say in the comments: Should Patrick Swayze kick the habit, or should people leave him alone and let him live it up while he still can?

Jessica Simpson alluded to the recent controversy over her weight and choice of jeans at a recent concert in another performance in Virginia last night. Clad in tight leather pants, Simpson thanked fans for their support and expressed disappointment over what the “focus” is on, according to People. “I feel like in our world today we focus on so many things that are completely pointless,” she told the audience as they reportedly responded with applause.

Amy Winehouse‘s home in the Camden section of London has been broken into and robbed. TMZ reports that  two men broke into her home and stole guitars and recording equipment. Some of the property has been returned, according to London police. When informed of the robbery, Winehouse (who is in St. Lucia on an extended vacation) informed the press that her favorite guitar is with her.

Scary Movie and Lost In Translation star Anna Faris is engaged. Us reports that Faris has gotten engaged to actor Chris Pratt, who plays Anne Hathaway‘s fiance in Bride Wars. Faris was married to actor Ben Indra for four years before their divorce in February.

A settlement has been reached over deceased actor Heath Ledger‘s insurance policy. Reuters reports that lawyers for ReliaStar Life Insurance Co wanted to investigate whether or not Ledger’s death from an accidental prescription drug overdose was a suicide or not. In the event of suicide, the $10 million dollar life insurance policy would not have been paid out to Heath’s daughter Matilda. A lawyer for Heath’s daughter filed a lawsuit in July 2008 on her behalf. “The parties are pleased that they were able to reach an amicable settlement and solve the dispute,” attorney William Shernoff said.

Both media outlets are reporting that Dirty Dancing actor Patrick Swayze, 56, has ceased undergoing chemotherapy to aid in his battle against pancreatic cancer, and has taken a turn for the worse.

Swazye was recently released from the hospital after successfully battling pneumonia, and is reportedly meeting with publishers about writing a memoir.

Hilton reported on a National Enquirer story that states that Swayze has ceased chemo since doctors told him there’s little else they can do.

Patrick’s mother Patsy, 81, spoke to Star, and asked for Patrick’s fans to pray for him.

“Patrick is strong, and he’s determined to beat this!” she says. “Please tell everyone to keep us in their prayers. Pray for Patrick. I know he has a lot of fans out there thinking about him, and we all appreciate that.”

“His confidence had always been contagious for [Patrick's wife] Lisa — but the situation is really staring them in the face now,” a source says.

“You can bet that I’m going through hell,” Patrick told Barbara Walters in a Jan 7 interview. “And I’ve only seen the beginning of it.”

Swayze’s most recent work, the A&E cop series The Beast, is currently in its first season on the network.

Patrick Swayze has given up treatment for pancreatic cancer, according to The Daily Mail. “There’s nothing more doctors can do for him. We are down to the wire and the goal now is to keep Patrick comfortable. His condition is inoperable and they have stopped the chemo. He’s still losing weight and he’s very weak,” a source says. Another source added that “Patrick regards himself as a cowboy, and is determined to die with his boots on and no regrets.”

Kelly Osbourne re-entered rehab due to her hard partying lifestyle in London, according to sources. People reports that the Osbourne daughter, who entered rehab for an addiction to painkillers in 2004 and 2005, has “always struggled with addiction” according to a source. “It’s a very party atmosphere there,” the source says. “[Kelly] just tends to get back into that rut when she’s there since her friends are there, and she’s just more comfortable there. The old party habits come back.”

George Clooney‘s most recent female companion (he was sighted having sushi with her last weekend) has appeared on four game shows in the past decade, according to TMZ. The woman used alternate names on each show including Katie, Kate and Stephanie Moeser. She is said to have appeared on Hollywood Squares in late 2003/early 2004, The Price is Right in 2006, Trivial Pursuit in 2008 and Don’t Forget the Lyrics in 2007.

First Lady Michelle Obama is set to become a wax statue at Madame Tussaud’s in Washington, DC. E! reports that the likeness of President Barack Obama‘s wife is set to be unveiled in March.

Kelly Osbourne has checked into rehab for the second time. Kelly’s mother Sharon told RadarOnline that her daughter will reveal what she’s addicted to when she completes her 30 days of treatment. “What else can we say? She knew that it was the right thing to do at this point and we’re proud that she did it. The family is all standing behind her. Kelly knew that she needed help and she’s getting it,” Mrs. Osbourne said.

Celebrity designer Lisa Klein‘s husband Robert Bryson was killed in a fall early yesterday morning. TMZ reports that Klein heard a loud crash outside of their home and discovered that her husband had fallen from a balcony and onto a fence outside. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The accident appears to be a sleep-walking incident, although police are said to be investigating whether or not alcohol was involved.

Patrick Swazye plans to write a memoir with his wife Lisa. Us reports that the actor, who is currently battling pancreatic cancer, is meeting with publishers this week. The book will not be an inspirational tome, according to sources.

Talk show host Larry King is reportedly among the investors who lost millions due to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scam. Page Six reports that King may have lost up to $1 million, joining other celebrities including Kevin Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick who reportedly lost their life savings in the investment scheme.

The 56-year-old actor, who revealed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last March, checked into the hospital on January 9.

“I am happy to announce that Patrick Swayze is home after a brief hospitalization for pneumonia,” Swayze’s rep, Annett Wolf, announced yesterday.

Swayze, who currently stars on the A&E series The Beast, is resting at home with his wife Lisa, 52. The actor has displayed exemplary strength and courage while battling cancer, though he recently admitted in a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters, “You can bet I’m going through hell. And I’ve only seen the beginning of it.”

The actor recently sat down with Barbara Walters for his first interview on the subject of his health, to air on the Wednesday, January 7, episode of ABC’s 20/20.

“I dropped about 20 pounds in the blink of an eye,” Swayze, 56, tells Walters in the segment. “And then when you see it in the mirror, when all of a sudden, you pull your eyes down and the bottom of your eyes go yellow and jaundice sets in—then you know something’s wrong.

“You can bet that I’m going through hell,” he continues. “And I’ve only seen the beginning of it.”

20/20 points out that Swayze has beat the odds. Most patients diagnosed with his level of pancreatic cancer (stage 4) are usually only given six months to live.

He told Walters that his response to receiving his initial diagnosis was, “Watch me! You watch what I pull off.”

Swayze credits his wife, 52-year-old Lisa Niemi, for getting him through each day with grace.

“Part of me says I couldn’t have made it through without her,” says the Roadhouse actor. “But, of course, the other part of me says I could have, but not nearly as elegantly as I have.”

Meanwhile, Swayze’s new crime series The Beast—in which he plays an unorthodox FBI veteran—debuts on A&E January 15.

The event, which was aired simultaneously on all three major networks, was attended by, among many others, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Salma Hayek and Ugly Betty‘s America Ferrara.

The evening’s cause was particularly meaningful for the numerous famous cancer survivors at the event, such as Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Crow, Christina Applegate and Patrick Swayze.

Swayze, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March, drew a standing ovation during his speech. “I dream of a future with a long, healthy life, a life not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light,” the actor stated.

Breast-cancer survivors Applegate, Crow, and Melissa Etheridge stressed the importance of supportive friends when dealing with the disease.

“We all need someone to accompany us on the journey,” said Applegate, who underwent a double mastectomy last month after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Desperate Houewives actress Dana Delany and former basketball star Charles Barkley, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of early detection by way of example. Delaney was followed by a camera crew as she went in for a breast exam, while Barkley was lensed going in for a colonoscopy—as was famous cartoon character Homer Simpson, in a separate animated segment.

• “It’s a miracle, dude.” Spotted at LAX earlier this week, Patrick looks happy and healthy.
• He was even cast on a new A&E series, The Beast.
• Patrick will play a FBI agent on the show. Can’t wait!