PATRICK SWAYZE WAS 'BEST PART' OF STAND UP TO CANCER SHOWPatrick Swazye's surprise appearance at the EIF "Stand Up To Cancer" fund-raising special impressed a nation of television viewers and a stage full of fellow celebrities.
The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, was brought out on a darkened stage during the opening segment. When the lights came up, he received a standing ovation. Even Jennifer Aniston, who was in the middle of a phone call, stood up to pay tribute to Swayze.
"He looks amazing," former basketball player Charles Barkley told PEOPLE. "For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing."Swayze smiled and danced in the wings through the show, holding his wife, Lisa Niemi. He even managed a moment of solo air guitar. As Melissa Etheridge and Sugarland crooned the closing song, he approached Barkley and the two had an animated conversation.
"He just came up to me and said, 'hi,' " said Barkley. "We talked about how he was doing. He said he's doing well. He said that he's even gone back to work."
Jennifer Aniston at Stand Up to Cancer Photo by: Michael Caulfield / Getty People |
