Here's a theory you might not agree with: Patrick Swayze is perhaps the most underrated actor of the 80s.

Swayze, who turns 55 years old today, appeared in 11 movies, six TV shows and two mini-series during the decade. And yet he's best known for perhaps his least impressive role -- dance instructor "Johnny Castle" (worst ... name ... ever) in 1987's "Dirty Dancing."

I say "least impressive" not because of Swayze's performance. He makes the most of the slop the screenwriters served up to him. "OK, Mr. Swayze, we want you to play a tough-guy dance instructor. ... Stop laughing, Patrick. ... Yes, we're serious. But here's the twist: You turn into a total crybaby wuss when you fall in love -- for no good reason -- with a daddy's girl named 'Baby' who isn't half as attractive as anybody you've dated before! Sound good? OK, well, do it for us anyway. Please? OK, we'll let you sing that ridiculous 'She's Like The Wind' song that they rejected in your 'Grandview USA' movie. Deal? Great!"

So forget Dirty Dancing now. We've come to praise Patrick Swayze, not to mock him.

5 reasons nobody puts Patrick Swayze in a corner:

5. Roadhouse (1989): "I want you to be nice until it's time to not be nice."

4. Grandview, USA (1984): "Boy, you just discovered the oldest sexual position in the book. ... the Foolish position."

3. The Outsiders (1983): "You just don't stop living because you lose somebody. I thought you knew that."

2. Red Dawn (1984): "It's kind of strange, isn't it? How the mountains pay us no attention at all. You laugh or you cry... The wind just keeps on blowing."

1. Youngblood (1986): "Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys."

Sadly, his best movie -- Point Break -- was in 1991, but I'll tip my hat to him anyway. And of course, let's not forget this classic clip from Saturday Night Live. Enjoy.