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Lisa Anne Haapaniemi (born May 26, 1956), better known by her stage name, Lisa Niemi, is an American actress and dancer. She is the widow of actor, singer and dancer Patrick Swayze. They were married for 34 years, from 1975 until his death in 2009. Niemi was born on May 26, 1956 in Houston, Texas, the only daughter and fifth of six children to Finnish immigrants Edmond Melvin Haapaniemi (October 11, 1914 – February 1984) and Edna Karin Hyttinen (born March 17, 1928). Niemi's mother worked as a nurse; she would later cite this as her inspiration and encouragement. She graduated from the... MORE

Lisa Anne Haapaniemi (born May 26, 1956), better known by her stage name, Lisa Niemi, is an American actress and dancer. She is the widow of actor, singer and dancer Patrick Swayze. They were married for 34 years, from 1975 until his death in 2009. Niemi was born on May 26, 1956 in Houston, Texas, the only daughter and fifth of six children to Finnish immigrants Edmond Melvin Haapaniemi (October 11, 1914 – February 1984) and Edna Karin Hyttinen (born March 17, 1928). Niemi's mother worked as a nurse; she would later cite this as her inspiration and encouragement. She graduated from the Houston Ballet Dance Company in 1974. Niemi wrote, directed and starred in the 2003 film One Last Dance alongside Swayze. One Last Dance was based on Without a Word, a successful play written 18 years before which had won six Drama Critics Awards. Niemi said, "It was basically based on our experiences as concert dancers in New York, and it affected people a lot." She co-starred in Steel Dawn (1987) with Swayze and co-starred in Beat Angel (2004). Niemi also appeared in Letters from a Killer, Next of Kin, Younger and Younger, Live! From Death Row, She's Having a Baby and Slam Dance. She choreographed LESS