Mickey Rourke Then and Now: A journey from Hollywood heartthrob to brutal aftermath of boxing career
Mickey Rourke looks notably different now compared to his prime years as an '80s Hollywood star
Mickey Rourke, once celebrated as one of the film industry's most handsome stars, experienced a significant transformation over the years. This evolution, marked by boxing injuries, plastic surgery, and notable conflicts, contributed to a decline in his career. Rourke's appearance has been characterized by constant change. Despite the challenges, at the age of 71, Mickey Rourke continues to demonstrate his resilience by acting in action films. Let's explore his remarkable journey and transformation through the years.
The quintessential 80s pin-up
In the 1980s, Rourke was candid about his discomfort with fame and the Hollywood environment. He expressed his dissatisfaction by criticizing co-stars and directors in the press, dismissing a significant portion of the industry as beneath his standards. Mickey Rourke's 'Body Heat', 'Diner', 'Angel Heart', 'Johnny Handsome', 'Rumble Fish', and 'Barfly' all secured positions on the list of the top 10 movies of the 1980s.
Mickey Rourke's knockout 90s boxing venture
In the early 1990s, Mickey Rourke's shift from acting to boxing was a form of physical self-destruction but for him, it was a form of self-protection. Despite returning to the sport in 1991 and maintaining his ruggedly handsome appearance from the '80s, Rourke attributes later plastic surgeries to boxing injuries. He has disclosed suffering injuries, such as broken noses, a compressed cheekbone, and neurological damage during his three-year stint as a professional boxer.
A series of regrettable decisions
At the age of 20, Carré Otis, already established as a supermodel, auditioned for the 1990 film 'Wild Orchid' and crossed paths with co-star Mickey Rourke. They couple married in June, 1992, but the marriage lasted only six years, ending in December, 1998. However, it wasn't until around 1998, after Rourke had exited the boxing ring and experienced a tumultuous relationship with Carré Otis, that his appearance underwent more pronounced changes. This period coincided with a notable decline in his career, marked by several regrettable decisions, including turning down opportunities like a starring role in 'Pulp Fiction'.
The first wave of plastic surgery
In a career phase characterized by a slow decline as a "has-been," Mickey Rourke underwent what could be described as the first wave of surgery. He was frequently seen in public with swollen-looking lips and taut skin. Rourke attributed these procedures to the damage sustained during his boxing career, explaining, "I had to have cartilage taken from my ear to rebuild my nose and a couple of operations to scrape out the cartilage because the scar tissue wasn’t healing properly…Most of it was to mend the mess of my face because of the boxing, but I went to the wrong guy to put my face back together."
Mickey Rourke's grand comeback to the big screen
As Mickey Rourke's career started to rebound with films like 'Buffalo 66', 'Animal Factory', and Jonas Akerlund’s 'Spun', in the early 2000s, his appearance underwent noticeable changes. However, by approximately 2005, particularly in the movie 'Domino', he began to resemble an older version of his heyday self, suggesting that the effects of the surgery had settled. In 2009, Rourke openly admitted that his evolving looks were a result of botched facial surgery.
Finally a break in the clouds
After the triumph of 'The Wrestler' and his Oscar nomination, Rourke experienced a revival. Nevertheless, challenges lingered. Rourke expressed his dissatisfaction with his part in 'Iron Man 2' (2010) revealing that a substantial portion of his performance was omitted during editing. He also distanced himself from various projects, suggesting that financial considerations were the main driving force behind his participation. In the following years, Rourke starred in 'Immortals' (2011), and 'A Hitman in London' (2015) directed by Ara Paiaya, subsequently transitioning to predominantly working in independent and direct-to-video productions.
A slew of facial surgeries
The limited availability of new roles became evident as Rourke's face changed even more as a consequence of his surgeries and scars. His distinct physical appearance, marked by facial surgery and a rugged, muscular physique, frequently displayed shirtless, posed challenges in securing certain roles. His face bore the visible marks of past struggles. In 2017, he shared an Instagram image captioned with the words, "Now I am pretty again. One more to go," showcasing bandages and indicating his most recent surgical procedure.
He’s never been more human
Mickey Rourke's transformation from a Hollywood heartthrob to a remorseful boxer serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks associated with fame and the repercussions of decisions made in moments of personal discontent. Presently, Rourke continues his career, featuring in the 2021 film 'Man of God' and starring in Roman Polanski's drama film 'The Palace' in 2023.