Only a few women can say they've had the time of their life dancing onscreen with '80s icon Patrick Swayze. The much-loved swivel-hipped dancer and actor may be best known for lifting Jennifer Grey in the closing moments of 1987 hit Dirty Dancing, but she's not the only actress to have moved to the rhythm of Swayze's heart.
We've got all the details on the leading ladies who made sure not to step on the one – including Patrick's real-world partner.
© Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images,FilmMagicJennifer Grey starred as Frances "Baby" Houseman, love interest and dance partner to Patrick Swayze's Johnny Castle
Jennifer Grey – Dirty Dancing (1987)
Nobody puts Baby in the corner – and nobody undersells how impactful Dirty Dancing has been on pop culture. Jennifer Grey's Frances Houseman is Swayze's best-known dance partner who delivered a watermelon and stole Johnny Castle's heart in 1987.
Fans of the show will be excited to hear that Baby herself is working on a sequel, although it's unlikely anything will take the place of that iconic lift any time soon.
© Getty ImagesPenny and Johnny are the main dance instructors at Kellerman's
Cynthia Rhodes – Dirty Dancing (1987)
Cynthia Rhodes' Penny Johnson is the beating heart of Dirty Dancing. More experienced with the world than Jennifer Grey's Baby, Penny grounds the film all while remaining a glamorous figure on the dance floor.
Since acting as Johnny's long-time friend and regular dance pro partner, Cynthia has appeared in some of the '80s best-loved musical capers including Flash Dance and Staying Alive. She's since stepped back from acting to focus on her family.
© FilmMagic,Getty ImagesLisa Niemi was Patrick's favourite partner, in dance and off the screen
Lisa Niemi – One Last Dance (2003)
Patrick Swayze swept Lisa Niemi off her feet both on the screen and in real life. The two met in their teens at Swayze's mother's dance studio and tied the knot in 1975.
Lisa works as a dancer, choreographer and actress, and starred opposite her husband in the 2003 film One Last Dance which follows three dancers reunited by circumstance.
© WireImage,Getty ImagesRomola Garai takes a speedy dance lesson from Patrick Swayze in the 2004 follow up to 'Dirty Dancing'
Romola Garai – Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
The Atonement and Emma actress took on a more modern role in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights as Katey Miller. Patrick Swayze makes a brief cameo as a dance instructor to provide advice and test Romola's moves.
The actress and director is certainly keeping busy with roles in TV series Betrayal (2026), Scoop (2024) and on stage in a new adaptation of A Doll's House.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesPatrick and his siblings were encouraged to work hard
Musical upbringing
"Growing up Swayze", as it was nicknamed by Patrick and his four siblings, meant "an almost manic drive to be the best, do the most, and lead the pack in whatever we attempted".
Patrick's mother Patsy worked as a prominent dance instructor in Houston, while his father was a Golden Gloves boxer who trained as an engineer.
© Getty ImagesPatrick and Lisa married in 1975 and remained together until his death in 2009
A shared love of dance
Dance was a big part of Patrick's career onscreen, but it's also responsible for his real-life romance with wife Lisa Niemi. The pair met at his mother's dance studio when Lisa was around 14 years old, and married 5 years later.
Lisa and Patrick remained together until his death in 2009. She has since found love again with husband Albert DePrisco.
