Sean Swayze, the younger brother of late Hollywood icon Patrick Swayze, has died at the age of 63, marking another painful chapter in a family long shaped by both talent and loss.

The news was confirmed by Sean’s son, Jesse Swayze, who told TMZ that his father passed away in Los Angeles on December 15. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was an acute upper gastrointestinal bleed and severe metabolic acidosis brought on by cirrhosis of the liver. Sean is survived by his daughter Cassie and sons Kyle and Jesse.

In the days following his passing, loved ones shared heartfelt tributes that reflected both grief and affection. His cousin, Rachel Leon, posted a photo of Sean wearing a Dirty Dancing–themed shirt, writing that she was “heartbroken” by his death. She noted that the image had been taken recently to help promote a Dirty Dancing crawfish-themed event, adding that Sean “was always fun and full of life.” The message captured how closely he remained tied to the legacy of his famous brother, even while living much of his own life outside the glare of Hollywood.

Though Sean never achieved the same level of fame as Patrick, he worked steadily as a character actor and behind-the-scenes crew member. His credits included projects such as Letters from a Killer, and he remained connected to the film world in quieter, less public ways. Those who knew him often described him as approachable and spirited, someone who carried the Swayze name with pride but without pretense.

Sean’s death arrives more than 16 years after Patrick Swayze’s passing in September 2009 at age 57. Patrick, remembered globally for roles in Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and Road House, was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in January 2008 and spoke candidly about his illness in a televised interview with Barbara Walters. He remained married to writer and dancer Lisa Niemi throughout his battle and left an enduring mark on film, dance, and popular culture.

The Swayze family’s story has been marked by repeated heartbreak. Sean and Patrick are survived by their brother, actor Don Swayze, now 67, and their sister, actress Bambi Swayze, 66. Their father, Jesse Wayne Swayze, died in November 1982 at age 57, while their mother, Patsy Yvonne Helen Swayze, passed away in September 2013 at 86. Another sibling, Vicky Swayze, died by suicide in 1994 at just 45 years old—a loss that profoundly affected the entire family.

While Sean Swayze largely lived outside the spotlight, he remained closely connected to his family and to the legacy left by Patrick. His passing adds another somber note to a lineage defined by creativity, resilience, and enduring grief. He was 63.