Mickey Rourke interview on his comeback in “The Wrestler”
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
In many respects Mickey Rourke’s personality is a reflection of his character, Randy “The Ram” Robinson, in the film, “The Wrestler.”
Like his character, he has spent time in the ring, performing as a professional boxer in 1991, but retiring in 1995. Plus he knows what it’s like to try and regain his status, with a history of being in the news. One such incident includes being arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department and charged with spousal abuse in 1994, according to the Internet Movie Database.
But his life has helped shape Rourke, and he’s made a turn around with his break out role in “The Wrestler.” Rourke was named this year’s Golden Globe award winner for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama
“After being out of work 13, 14 years I’m just grateful to have a second chance,” Rourke said in a news release.
Rourke who clinched the Best Actor award for playing the past-his-prime pro wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson in Darren Aronofsky’s drama, admits that the role wasn’t easily handed to him.
“[Darren] had been working on this project for, like, a decade. He told me it was going to be a struggle to make it with me, raising the finances on my name,” Rourke said. “Because I hadn’t been in circulation for awhile, and he really went to bat for me.”
Rourke said the role was definitely a challenge for him.
“I think my whole fear was putting myself back in that head-space emotionally,” he said. “To revisit some very dark, painful moments, places and people. That was as hard as the physical stuff.”
Rourke also offered advice to the new generation of Hollywood actors.
“I would say – being out of work 13, 14 years like I did – not to walk that road,” he said.” I put four or five years into studying like a monk and being the best actor I could, then I self destructed.”
Rourke said he’s worked hard to get to where he is now and that the next generation of actors should pay attention to his own mistakes.
“It took me 10 years in therapy to change my ways,” he admits. “They’re going to find out the hard way that maybe you can get away with that s–t when you’re in your twenties, but when Hollywood closes the door on [them], there’s not many guys who can be out of work 13 or 14 years that they’re going to give a second chance to.”
“The Wrestler” has been critically acclaimed, but has been struggling at the box-office.
The film, released by Fox Searchlight, has been in theaters for 26 days and only made $2.8 million, as of Jan. 11.
For a more in-depth interview with Rourke pick up a copy of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine’s “Awards Issue” on stands now.
