Lisa Niemi Swayze

Lisa Niemi Swayze

Lisa Niemi Swayze has spent decades in and around the film industry. She wrote, directed and produced the film “One Last Dance” in 2004. In addition to other projects, she directed her husband, Patrick, in “My Brother’s Keeper,” one of the episodes from the acclaimed television series “The Beast” in 2008.

Most recently, she has completed a book titled “Worth Fighting For,” which chronicles her last months with her husband of 34 years, Patrick Swayze, as he battled pancreatic cancer. An emotionally honest and unflinching depiction of battling illness and loss, it is also an incredible, life-affirming exploration of the power of the human spirit. The book is scheduled for release in January 2012. In 2009, Niemi Swayze and her husband co-wrote his memoir titled “The Time of My Life” which became both a New York Times bestseller as well as an international bestseller. It is a behind-the-scenes look at their success in Hollywood and their remarkable love story, creating a memoir that is both entertaining and inspirational.

Niemi Swayze has held many film, television and Broadway roles. She also wrote, directed and starred in the play “Without a Word” with her husband, garnering six Drama Critics Awards including Best Play, Writing, Direction and Performance. Some of her film credits include “One Last Dance,” “Beat Angel,” “Younger and Younger” and “Slam Dance and Steel Dawn.” She starred in the television series “Super Force” and had leading roles in Broadway’s “Will Rogers Follies,” “Love Letters” and an award-winning production of “The Brick and the Rose.” Niemi Swayze is also a classically trained dancer and began her professional training with the Harkness Ballet. She then danced with the prestigious Joffrey Ballet II and the New York Contemporary Dancers.

Niemi Swayze is the national spokesperson for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and works diligently to raise awareness and better research funding for this terribly neglected and deadly disease. She currently divides her time between New Mexico and Los Angeles.