Patrick Swayze Hospitalized for Pneumonia

By Hanh Nguyen, Zap2It.com | January 9, 2009

Patrick Swayze, 'The Beast'

'The Beast' star checks self into hospital for observation

Patrick Swayze, who has made his battle with pancreatic cancer public, pulled out of a session to promote his new A&E series "The Beast" at the Television Critics Association press tour Friday because he had checked himself into the hospital.

"Patrick has asked me to tell you that he has checked himself into the hospital this morning for observation after coming down with pneumonia," A&E President Robert DeBitetto told the gathered critics. "As anyone who has had a friend or family member who is undergoing treatment for cancer must know, chemotherapy can take a toll on the immune system, and illnesses are an unavoidable part of it."

"Patrick did want me to tell you that he is very sorry he wasn't able to attend this morning. He plans to get back promoting 'The Beast' as soon as he is back on his feet and feeling well again.

"Patrick also asked me to tell you that he is unbelievable proud of the work that he and the entire 'Beast' team has done ... He thanks everybody for the outpouring of support that he's been receiving.

"We all wish him the very best and hope to see him back on his feet in the very near future."

Swayze, 56, announced last May that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

On "The Beast," Swayze stars as veteran FBI agent Charles Barker, who's paired with rookie agent Ellis Dove (Travis Fimmel), who in turn has been approached to act as a double-agent to help investigate his mentor.

Check back with Zap2it for more news to come on Swayze's illness and "The Beast."