Mickey Rourke (b.1952,) fully Philip Andre “Mickey” Rourke Jr., is an American actor and former boxer. After a promising start in such hit films as Diner and The Pope of Greenwich Village, Rourke’s career became one of unfulfilled potential on account of an inability to coexist with fellow actors and filmmakers.
Born in Schenectady, New York, Rourke began his career promisingly, with a starring role in the made-for-television movie Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case (1980.) He starred in the comedy-drama Diner (1982,) the drama Rumble Fish (1983,) and the crime-black-comedy film The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984.) He received critical acclaim for the biography Barfly (1987) and the horror mystery Angel Heart (1987.)
In 1991, Rourke became a professional boxer at 35, when almost all career fighters are beyond their primes. He withdrew from boxing in 1994 and returned to acting, and held supporting roles in several films. In 2005, Rourke made his Hollywood comeback with lead roles in the neo-noir action thriller Sin City (2005) and the sports drama film The Wrestler (2008.) Rourke also has appeared in some commercially successful films.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Mickey Rourke
I thought my talent would transcend my outspokenness. I was wrong.
—Mickey Rourke
Topics: Talent
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