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In July 2004, Patrick Swayze was about to star in a TV version of King Solomon's Mines, and he talked to Radio Times's Benji Wilson about acting, fate - and the real reason everyone still loves Dirty Dancing…
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Benji Wilson: So you've made a miniseries of King Solomon's Mines…
Patrick Swayze: Yes, I play adventurer Alan Quartermain, whose life is so much about fate and, as they say in Eastern philosophy, Myoho - the mystical law of chance.
You feel life's predestined?
I think I've always been searching for something more to this movie stardom. If you ever want to learn how to spell the word "artist", you can't let yourself get pigeonholed.
You see it in my career - each time I've had the option I've always gone in the opposite direction. I went from a Zen-like surfer in Point Break to a drag queen in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.
But you could make more money if you just stuck to being an action hero.
If I was interested in the cash I would have taken the $10 million they offered me for a piece-of-crap sequel to Dirty Dancing.
Although you did have a cameo in the sequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights…
It was a blast from the past. It turned out to be a bittersweet moment. When you get to do a movie like Dirty Dancing, and then watch people try to formularise it and repeat that moment - it breaks your heart.
What attracted you to the role in King Solomon's Mines?
I loved that period when your handshake was your contract, you looked in somebody's eyes and they could take that to the bank. I still live by those standards, by my father's Texas cliches - "back up your mouth", "only the strong survive". I've never had a law suit, never sued anybody, don't plan on it. If I mess with you I expect you to kick my butt. Mess with me I'm gonna kick your butt.
I'll be nice then…
But I don't believe in violence. I've trained all my life as a peaceful warrior, never allowing mean, aggressive energy in my life that will harm anyone else.
It sounds as though you're a very spiritual person.
All the different philosophies I've studied have made me realise we're all after the same thing - we're just coming at it from different angles.
Which philosophies?
I've gravitated to Eastern philosophy. I love the concept that God's already inside you and it's your job to manifest it. Like when my wife and I go bowling, we play transform bowling - "be the ball".
Can you teach me?
If you really hit that place where it's not about winning, but getting a strike by just being completely open - when you hit that place you get ten strikes in a row!
When you say "be the ball", are you imagining doing somersaults?
It's so hard to explain; if you think about technique, you kill the flow. Look at any sport that way - your progress cranks like ten times.
So are you very good at bowling now?
Only when I "be the ball".
You're 50 now - did you do any of the stunts in King Solomon's Mines?
I always have great stunt doubles. I'm very demanding - they have to be an athlete who's a gymnast and then do it with the grace of a ballet dancer.
Why are people still obsessed with Dirty Dancing?
It's Swayze swinging his ass.
So it's your backside that made all the difference?
You better believe it. No. It just validates what's good in people - you should fall in love with somebody because of what they have in their heart, not what they look like - so the funky Jewish girl gets the guy…with the great ass.
Finally: when you sang: "She's like the wind, through my tree" in your musical contribution to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, what did you mean?
You can interpret it how you want, but basically it means she's a breath of fresh air through my heart and my soul.
Great, well - must go now.
I could stay here for ever: I'm digging the s*** out of talking to you.
I'm digging the s*** out of talking to you, too.
Thanks, Patrick.
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See detailed Radio Times film reviews and star ratings for all of Patrick Swayze's movies, and share your memories of the late actor.
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