If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and check out The Beast. It was a short series on A&E. I'm only halfway through it (my wife is rarely in the mood for that type of programming, so we've been making slow progress) but from what I've seen, I've really enjoyed it, though I can't say for sure whether it ends neatly (or at least the way it was written) or whether it ends abruptly due to his condition. It's pretty dark, gritty, complicated, etc., and even if it doesn't have much in terms of an ultimate resolution, I'm really looking forward to watching the last few episodes currently mouldering in our TiVo.
From what I understand, he took the part after having received his diagnosis and wanted to act one more time while he still could. He was sick all through shooting and I believe he refused certain elements of his treatment and/or painkillers so that he could keep his edge and play the character the way he envisioned it.
Captain--there's nothing guilty about Roadhouse. Perhaps Point Break, but only due to Keanu...
