The 1979 movie Patrick Swayze wanted to delete from history: “It makes me want to puke”
Patrick Swayze later said he wanted his 1979 film debut, *Skatetown, USA*, buried and forgotten, calling the film “a film that launched me” and saying it made him want to puke. The story highlights how an early role can outlast an actor’s own view of it: the roller-disco comedy remains part of Swayze’s career record despite his dislike of the film and its hair styling.
In the film, Swayze played Ace Johnson, leader of a roller-disco gang in a rivalry over a $1,000 prize and a moped. Filming took place at the Hollywood Palladium, which was turned into a roller rink for five weeks; a camera mounted on a golf cart followed the skaters. Swayze objected to people describing his swept-back hairstyle as a mullet, though he said he hated mullets.
In short
- Swayze named *Skatetown, USA* as the film he wished could be forgotten.
- His 1979 debut featured a roller-disco gang and a $1,000 prize.
- He disliked the film and rejected claims that he had a mullet.
Explained simply
Skatetown, USA was a roller-disco comedy released in 1979, when disco music and roller skating were popular parts of youth culture. It was filmed at the Hollywood Palladium, which was turned into a roller rink for the production.
Patrick Swayze made his film debut as Ace Johnson, leader of a roller-disco gang competing for a cash prize and a moped. The role became part of his public career history, even though he later disliked the film and objected to how people described his hairstyle.