Video: Whoopi: Patrick "Fought Like the Dickens" to Survive

On Tuesday's The View, Whoopi Goldberg — Patrick Sawyze's close pal and costar in the 1990 romance classic Ghost — got choked up remembering the late actor.

"This was a well fought battle," she said of the actor, who died Monday at age 57 after a 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer. "Patrick fought like the Dickens to survive it - or to get through it. He never thought of himself as someone who was dying."

"His attitude was, 'Until it kills me I am going to keep doing what I am doing,'" she added. "He worked until the last minute ... He just was a cat that never gave up."

Look back at photos of Patrick Swayze's unforgettable life

While shooting Ghost, he kept her in stitches.

"He'd moon me," she said, laughing. "He was the greatest."

"Because of Patrick Swayze, I got that movie Ghost and because of Patrick Swayze, I have an  Oscar," said Goldberg, who won the 1991 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Watch Patrick Swayze's most memorable film roles

Later in the show, she reflected on his 34-year marriage to Lisa Niemi (see video, above).

"The two of them were in love. they were also together," Goldberg said, with her voice cracking. "I can't explain it any other way."