Biography of Mickey Rourke

The Mickey Rourke biography is a tribute to a man who overcame an acting career that nearly paid the price for eccentric personal and career decisions. The very versatile star of 'Act of Love', 'Heaven's Gate', 'The Last Outlaw', and 'The Rainmaker', is now recognized as a resilient star and beautiful human being by co-stars, who once denounced his character.

Biography of Mickey Rourke:

Mickey Rourke was born Philip Andre Rourke, Jr. on September 16, 1953. After his parents divorced when he was just six years old, Rourke and his siblings were educated at the Miami Beach Senior High School, by their mother. As an adolescent, Rourke's focus on sports caught the attention of trainers and seniors. He executed the boxing skills imparted at the self-defense training center, the Boys Club of Miami, and earned a 118-pound bantamweight championship at the age of 12. In 1969, Rourke sparred with Luis Rodríguez, the former World Welterweight Champion. He had to give the boxing ring a break after sustaining two concussions, one in the 1969 fight and the other in a 1971 bout for the Florida Golden Gloves. His amateur record flaunted 20 wins and 6 defeats.

Mickey Rourke began his acting career with a role in a play directed by a friend. The play was called 'Deathwatch' and Rourke bagged the meaty role of 'Green Eyes'. Thereafter, the enamored young star took private acting lessons at the Actors Studio, New York. Rourke's film debut began with role in the Steven Spielberg release, '1941'. The role was small, but earned him a meatier portrayal in 'Body Heat'. As the arsonist, Mickey Rourke got due attention in Hollywood. His roles in 'Diner', 'Rumble Fish', 'The Outsiders' and 'The Pope of Greenwich Village' made him a favorite with critics. He earned the epithet of 'sex symbol' for his performance with Kim Basinger in '9½ Weeks'. The other popular Mickey Rourke releases include:

• Barfly
• Year of the Dragon
• Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man
• Homeboy
• Wild Orchid
• Desperate Hours
• Francesco

Rourke's acting career was gravely affected as he tipped the scales of his personal and professional life. He turned down high-profile acting roles in box-office successes such as 'The Untouchables', 'Beverly Hills Cop', 'The Silence of the Lambs', 'Rain Man', '48 Hrs'., 'Highlander' and 'Platoon'. He returned to the boxing ring in 1991, disgusted with his personal life. Rourke earned another six wins and two draws. He suffered a broken nose, broken ribs and a split tongue, along with short-term memory loss. Rourke retired from boxing in 1995 and returned to the acting profession, after reconstructive surgery. Rourke's comeback movies included 'Buffalo '66', 'Animal Factory' and 'The Pledge'. Mickey Rourke won the Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of 'Randy Robinson' in 'The Wrestler', a 2008 release.

Mickey Rourke Trivia:

• Rourke flaunts seven tattoos, including a tiger head, a bulls skull and a shamrock
• He is a big motorcycle enthusiast
• He was trained in acting by the 'star-maker' Sandra Seacat
• He earned the nickname 'El Marielito' in the boxing ring
• Rourke's personal favorite is his role in 'The Pope of Greenwich Village'
• He was proclaimed 'Man of The Year' by the British Film Fans Club, for his performance in 'Sin City'