Biography for
Mickey Rourke More at IMDb Pro »

Date of Birth

16 September 1956, Schenectady, New York, USA

Birth Name

Philip Andre Rourke Jr.

Height

5' 11" (1.80 m)

Mini Biography

Mickey Rourke was born Phillip Andre Rourke, Jr., in Liberty City, Florida. As a teenager, he attended Miami Beach Senior High School, where it's not clear if he graduated or not. One thing that is clear: Rourke played second-string first baseman on the school's baseball team under coach Skip Bertman. Yet another mystery regarding his high school days is his acting career. It's reported that he took drama classes with the legendary "Teacher To The Stars," Jay W. Jensen; appearing in at least one stage play. However, a P. Rourke listed in the play's credits, could be that of his sister, Patricia Rourke, who also attended Miami Beach Senior High School. Rourke's teenage years were more aimed towards sports than acting. Raised in the tough inner city, Rourke took up self-defense training at the Boys Club of Miami. It was there he learned boxing skills, and decided on an amateur career. At the age of 12, Rourke won his first boxing match as a 118-pound bantamweight. Some of his early matches were fought as Andre Rourke. He continued his boxing training at the famed 5th Street Gym on Miami Beach, Florida; joining the Police Athletic League boxing program. In 1969, Rourke, now weighing 140lbs., sparred with former World Welterweight Champion Luis Rodriguez. Rodriguez was the number one rated middleweight boxer in the world, and was training for his match with world champion Nino Benvenuti. Rourke claims to have received a concussion in this sparring match. In 1971, at the Florida Golden Gloves, he received another concussion from a boxing match. He was told by doctors to take a year off and rest, but Rourke decided to retire from the ring. From 1968 to 1972, Mickey Rourke compiled an amateur boxing record of 20-6, with 17 knockouts. He was disqualified 4 times, and lost 2 decisions. At one point, he reportedly scored 12 consecutive first round knockouts. As an amateur, Rourke had been friendly with pro-boxer Tommy Torino. When Rourke decided to return to boxing as a professional, Torino promoted some of Rourke's fights. Rourke was trained by former pro-boxer Freddie Roach at Miami Beach's 5th Street Gym and the Outlaw Boxing Club Gym in Los Angeles. Rourke made $250 for his pro debut, but by the end of his 2nd year of boxing, he earned a million dollars. Rourke appeared on the cover of World Boxing Magazine in June 1994. He sparred with world champions James Toney, John David Jackson, and Tommy Morrison. Rourke wanted to have 16 professional fights and then fight for a world title. However, he retired after 7 bouts and never got his desired title fight. His boxing career resulted in severe facial injuries which required a number of operations to repair his damaged face.

IMDb Mini Biography By: angelsunchained

Spouse

Carré Otis	(26 June 1992 - December 1998) (divorced)
Debra Feuer	(31 January 1981 - 1989) (divorced)

Trivia

Has at least seven tatoos including a tiger head with Chinese symbolson his left shoulder, a bulls skull on his right bicep, and a shamrock on his left forearm.

Became a professional boxer in 1991 but retired in 1995.

Is a motorcycle enthusiast.

Kim Basinger once called him "The Human Ashtray".

Filmed a role in The Thin Red Line (1998), that eventually got cut. He gets thanked in the credits.

Arrested by the LAPD and charged with spousal abuse. [July 1994]

Used to own a gym in West Hollywood called Shapiro.

Has an younger sister named Patty, a younger half-brother named Joey, and six step-siblings.

Walked off the set of Luck of the Draw (2000) when the producers refused to let him include his pet chihuahua in the movie. [August 1999]

Was rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in L.A. His reps said it was for an allergic reaction to cough syrup he was taking to battle the flu. Rourke was released a few hours later. [19 April 1999]

Grew up in the tough Miami area known as Liberty City.

Was first considered for the role of Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop (1984). It was eventually passed on to Sylvester Stallone, and, after many script revisions, Eddie Murphy.

Was trained by Sandra Seacat.

Made his professional boxing debut on May 23, 1991 in Florida by winning a 4 round decision over Steve Powell.

Retired from boxing undefeated after boxing a draw with "Irish" Sean Gibbons in Davie, Florida in 1994.

As an amateur boxer, put together a knockout streak of 12 straight.

Sparred with world champions James Toney and Carlos Monzón.

On June 3, 1992 he knocked-out Darrell Miller in one round in Japan.

On Nov. 20, 1993, he knocked-out Thomas McCoy in 3 rounds in Germany.

On Dec. 12, 1993 he knocked-out Terry Jesmer in Spain in 4 rounds.

Used to co-own a very tiny soda fountain/ice cream/magazine stand in Beverly Hills with his hairdresser pal Giuseppe Franco called Mickey & Joey's.

As a boxer, his nickname was "El Marielito".

Visited former World Middleweight Boxing Champion Carlos Monzón while Monzón was in prison for murder in Argentina. The two reportedly boxed an exhibition.

Was considered for the role of Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Has admitted in interviews that he only did Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) for the money.

Was originally cast as "Stuntman Mike" in Grindhouse (2007).

Turned down Bruce Willis' role in Pulp Fiction (1994).

Was considered for a role in Inglorious Bastards (2009).

Is a good friend of French singer and painter Tristan, who designed, among other things, the "tiger jacket" Rourke wears in Homeboy (1988).

In its obituary of poet Charles Bukowski, the screenwriter of Barfly (1987), "The New York Post" used a photo of Rourke as Henry Chinaski in the film instead of a photo of the poet himself.

Is an alumni of the Lee Strasberg Institute such as actors Frank Miranda, Scarlett Johansson, Rosario Dawson, Dennis Hopper, Julia Roberts.

Was offered a role in Revolver (2005/I), but turned it down to do Domino (2005).

Was great friends with 'Bullet' co-star and rapper Tupac Shakur.

Personal Quotes

[On what he wants in a woman:] "It's like when I buy a horse. I don't want a thick neck and short legs."

"I thought my talent would transcend my outspokenness. I was wrong. I'm willing to give them 100 per cent this time. I just want a second chance at Hollywood." [1994]

I lost the house, the wife, the credibility, the entourage. I lost my soul. I was alone ... I'm sort of OK with it now, but the first time I'm in there, pushing a f***ing cart, getting my supper. I used to go to the 24-hour place in gay town, so no one would recognize me. The only thing I could afford was a shrink, so that's where my money went. Three times a week for the first two years. The year after that, twice a week and now I'm down to once a week. I've only missed two appointments in six years.

You get desensitized to pain and for three and a half years I developed these symptoms of Brain Damage - you forget what you did the night before. You have to get out when the doctors tell you to, otherwise you're on queer street for the rest of your life. One doctor said to me before a big fight, your neurological report doesn't look too good. I was like four fights away from a big, big fight and he said, 'Mickey, how much are they paying you? Look at your tests - you won't be able to count the money'.

I've talked to my priest a lot. I used to have to call him or the shrink when there was an explosion, because I was really good at not talking to anybody until there was an explosion. My priest is this cool Italian from New York. We go down to his basement and he opens the wine. We smoke a cigarette and I have my confession. He sends me upstairs to do my Hail Mary's. I mean, I'm no Holy Joe, but I have a strong belief. If I wasn't Catholic I would have blown my brains out. I would pray to God. I would say, 'Please can you send me just a little bit of daylight.' He talked me out of it and we started meeting. His name is Father Pete and he lives in New York. Father Pete put me back on the right track.

I always knew I'd accomplish something very special - like robbing a bank perhaps.

"George is doing a hell of a job during very difficult times, more power to him. Screw all them people who don't like him." - On President George W. Bush

"I didn't have a childhood, really, because I worked my whole life and... other reasons. So when I had some success, I went ballistic. That was my childhood, and the party kept going on. I didn't get off my motorcycle for 10 years." - On his earlier success.

(On his film Spun (2002)) I didn't care for the material and I wasn't real interested in the cast. But two years ago I put myself in the hands of an agent, David Unger at ICM, and he said 'Do the movie.' So I did.

(On The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)) It was the most fun I've ever had on a movie. It was one of the happiest times in my life. I was living in New York, and I really enjoyed acting at the time. [pauses] Also, it's funny because that was also the time when I went downhill. - 2003.

I always thought I'd accomplish something special. Like robbing a bank.

Salary

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)

$2,750,000

Where Are They Now

(April 2005) Currently, Domino (2006), a Tony Scott flick is in post-production. He plays "Ed".

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