Following his parents’ divorce, his mother married Eugene Addis, a Miami Beach police officer with five sons. The family relocated to South Florida, where Rourke was raised alongside his younger brother and sister. He graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School in 1971.

Acting Beginnings and Rise in Hollywood

Mickey Rourke began his acting career in the late 1970s and gained prominence in the 1980s as a versatile leading man. Notable early performances include his roles in Barry Levinson’s comedy-drama Diner (1982), Francis Ford Coppola’s Rumble Fish (1983), and the crime-black comedy The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984). He also starred in the erotic drama 9½ Weeks (1986) and earned critical acclaim for portraying writer Charles Bukowski in the biographical film Barfly (1987).

Rourke further demonstrated his range with a role in the 1987 psychological horror-thriller Angel Heart. By the end of the decade, he had developed a reputation for his intense performances and unconventional screen presence.

Boxing Career and Temporary Departure from Acting

In 1991, having previously trained as an amateur boxer, Rourke stepped away from acting to pursue professional boxing. During this period, he fought in a series of matches, though his boxing career was relatively short-lived. He retired from the sport in 1994 after facing health concerns, including several injuries.

Return to Screen and Career Resurgence

Rourke resumed his acting career in the mid-1990s, appearing in supporting roles in several films. These included Get Carter (2000), Buffalo '66 (1998), The Rainmaker (1997), Man on Fire (2004), Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), and The Pledge (2001).

He experienced a major comeback with his lead role in the 2005 neo-noir action thriller Sin City. His performance earned him accolades from the Chicago Film Critics Association, the Online Film Critics Society, and the Irish Film and Television Academy.