Who is Donald Swayze? All About Patrick Swayze’s younger brother

Donald Swayze: Donald ‘Don’ Swayze is an American actor and dancer renowned for his versatile character roles spanning across the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s in both film and television. Hailing from Texas, Don drew inspiration from his mother, a choreographer with dreams of making it big in Hollywood, though she never quite reached that pinnacle. Don embarked on his journey by enrolling in film school and immersing himself in auditions, marking the inception of his acting career.

His television debut featured appearances in shows such as ‘Street Hawk,’ ‘The Fall Guy,’ and ‘Matlock,’ among others. In the late 1980s, he ventured into film, notably playing a supporting character in ‘Shy People.’ Don showcased his dancing prowess in the film ‘Urban Cowboy,’ opening doors to more film and TV roles where dance skills were in demand.

More recently, he graced the screen in the Netflix series ‘Longmire’ and maintained an active presence in the theater circuit. In 2001, he left his mark in a production of ‘Man of La Mancha,’ a creative reimagining of the beloved novel ‘Don Quixote.’

Don is the sibling of the late, celebrated actor Patrick Swayze. While he may not have achieved the same level of fame as his brother, Don has carved out a unique niche for himself, forging his own path to success.

Donald Swayze’s Profile summary

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Donald Carl Swayze
Profession	Actor
Date of Birth	August 10, 1958
Age	62 years (as of 2020, birthdate calculation)
Place of Birth	Houston, Texas
Height	184 centimeters (6 feet)
Marital Status	Married
Children	1
Net Worth	$5 million

Early Life of Donald Swayze

Don Swayze, born on August 10, 1958, in Texas, was immersed in the world of performing arts from a very early age. His mother, Patsy Swayze, played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic inclinations. Don’s childhood was a striking blend of artistic exposure, with his mother’s dance teachings and performances, and pragmatic influences from his father, Jesse Swayze, who worked as an engineer. He found his true passion in his mother’s artistry, frequently attending her shows where she held esteemed roles as a choreographer, dance instructor, and stage performer.

Growing up in a bustling household with five children, including his elder brother Patrick, younger brother Sean, and sisters Vicky and Bambi, Don’s upbringing was rooted in the Oak Forest Area. There, he enjoyed a typical, “very average” childhood, much like any middle-class household, engaging in play with local kids and receiving his early education.

While Patrick’s early fascination with acting led him to pursue lessons at The Beverly Hills Playhouse, Don initially harbored reservations about a career in acting. However, over time, he developed a deep affection for the craft.

Tragedy struck Don’s life when his father passed away due to a heart attack in 1982. Despite this devastating loss, Don managed to maintain his resilience. He used the unfortunate event as a catalyst to further enhance his skill set, which would prove invaluable in his future acting endeavors. He delved into learning various skills, including bike riding, horse riding, singing, dancing, fight choreography, skydiving, and cycling.

By 1983, Don was prepared to venture into the unpredictable realm of the American entertainment industry. He embarked on a journey of auditions for television, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

Donald Swayze’s Career

At that point, he held a single film credit to his name, a background dancing role in the movie ‘Urban Cowboy,’ which wasn’t officially counted as an acting role. His debut in the acting arena occurred in 1984 with a minor part in the TV movie ‘I Married a Centerfold.’ This marked the beginning of his journey as a character actor in the entertainment world. Soon after, he briefly appeared as Pug in an episode of ‘Street Hawk’ in the following year. Don took on several additional roles, fully aware that his modest acting skills and average appearance would keep him away from lead roles in both film and television.

His character had a slightly more significant presence in ‘Prince of Bel Air,’ a TV movie, and this led to a string of character roles in various television shows. Don began auditioning for film roles in the late 1980s and, despite facing numerous rejections, finally graced the big screen in the action thriller ‘Driving Force,’ where he portrayed the character Nelson. With a notable film credit under his belt, he started securing slightly more substantial roles in TV series, and his acting prowess showed visible improvement.

The early 1990s kept him exceptionally busy, with almost half a dozen acting roles in 1991 alone, including films like ‘Edge of Horror’ and ‘Payback,’ which were categorized as B-movies. During this period, he also took on TV roles in ‘Dragnet’ and ‘The World According to Straw.’ Don found himself in the realm of “straight to video B-films,” appearing in several of them, including ‘Death Ring’ and ‘Body of Influence’ in the mid-1990s. While his journey continued with smaller roles in both film and television, the notable change was the increasing number of film roles he secured.

Towards the end of the century, he appeared in ‘The Prophet’s Game’ and ‘Evasive Action.’ The year 2000 brought him his most significant role up to that point when he starred in ‘Movie Stars,’ a comedy TV series where he appeared in numerous episodes. He continued to excel in character roles in films such as ‘Knuckle Sandwich’ and ‘Betrayal,’ and took on slightly more prominent roles in TV shows like ‘CSI: Miami’ and ‘Carnivale.’

A standout role came when he portrayed a werewolf in the highly successful HBO series ‘True Blood,’ signing a six-episode contract for the role of Gus. His performance received widespread acclaim as the show became a major hit. Critics also lauded his portrayal of a mentally handicapped character in the TV drama ‘Matlock’ and his recurring role as Charles Hankel in ‘Criminal Minds.’

Currently, Don enjoys recurring roles in two major soap operas, ‘Young and the Restless’ and ‘Days of Our Lives.’ In 2017, it was announced that he had joined the cast of the popular medical drama ‘General Hospital,’ where he played a character named Buzz for a few episodes.

Beyond his film and TV commitments, Don actively lends his talents to theatrical productions. Memorable performances include his role as Pedro in ‘Man of La Mancha’ in 2001, which earned him acclaim at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Centre. Additionally, he made notable contributions to the theatrical world with performances in productions such as ‘Jane Fonda: In the Court of Public Opinion’ and the comedy ‘Lone Star,’ among others.

Donald Swayze’s Personal Life

Don Swayze has a deep passion for sports and adventure. During his leisure time, he finds solace in embarking on challenging journeys through rugged terrains. His activities often involve extended periods of biking, mountain climbing, hiking, and immersing himself in the beauty of the natural world.

Don shared an exceptionally close bond with his brother, Patrick. During Patrick’s battle with cancer, Don provided unwavering support, tending to his brother’s needs with great care. When Patrick tragically passed away in 2009, it left Don shattered, and he endured a period of severe emotional distress, struggling to emerge from the depths of despair.

In June 2014, Don exchanged vows with Charlene Lindstrom in an intimate ceremony. The wedding was a private affair, attended solely by family and close friends, held in a quiet church setting. Prior to his marriage to Charlene, Don had tied the knot with Marcia Swayze in 1985. At that time, both were striving to establish themselves in the competitive film and TV industry. The couple welcomed a daughter during their marriage, but after eight years together, they decided to part ways, officially divorcing in 1993.