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 then 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 Morrision. 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.

teenager his family moved to Miami Beach and young Phil attended Miami Beach Senior High School. While at the school he briefly took an acting class with Jay Jenson. Jenson counted among his drama students Andy Garcia and Brett Ratner. However, at the time, Rourke's interest lay in boxing. Fighting out of Miami Beach's Fifth Street Gym and the Elizabeth Varrick Gym in Coconut Grove, Phil Rourke rolled up a 20-4 amateur boxing record with 17 knockouts. Rourke never lost his "love" for boxing. At the height of his movie career, he decided to become a professional boxer. He turned pro under the nickname Marielito, and ran up a "glossy" undefeated record of 6-0-2. He never received the "world title shot" he desired. As a matter of fact, his move towards pro boxing almost ended his acting career.


Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991): $2,750,000

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. Is a motorcycle enthusiast. Filmed a role in The Thin Red Line (1998), that eventually got cut. He gets thanked in the credits. Used to own a gym in West Hollywood called Shapiro. 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] Grew up in the tough Miami area known as Liberty City. Was trained by Sandra Seacat. Retired from boxing undefeated after boxing a draw with "Irish" Sean Gibbons in Davie, Florida in 1994. Sparred with world champions James Toney and Carlos Monzón. On Nov. 20, 1993, he knocked-out Thomas McCoy in 3 rounds in Germany. 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. Visited former World Middleweight Boxing Champion Carlos Monzón while Monzón was in prison for murder in Argentina. The two reportedly boxed an exhibition. Has admitted in interviews that he only did Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) for the money. Turned down Bruce Willis' role in Pulp Fiction (1994) to write and star in F.T.W. (1994). Is a good friend of French singer and painter Tristan, who designed, among other things, the "tiger jacket" Rourke wears in Homeboy (1988). Was offered a role in Revolver (2005/I), but turned it down to do Domino (2005). Has turned down lead roles in Highlander (1986), The Untouchables (1987) and Rain Man (1988). On the Waterfront (1954) director Elia Kazan said that Rourke's student audition was the best audition piece he'd seen in 30 years. Other movies he is alleged to have turned down include 48 Hrs. (1982), Platoon (1986), Top Gun (1986) and Tombstone (1993). On October 16, 2004, his younger brother, Joey Rourke (born June 25, 1954) died of lung cancer. He was 50 years old. Mickey credited his brother Joey with preventing him from committing suicide in 1998. Ex-brother-in-law of Ian Feuer and Jordan Otis. Himself from Miami, turned down the role of Det. Sonny Crockett on "Miami Vice" (1984), which went to his co-star in "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man" Don Johnson. The role was also offered to Nick Nolte, Jeff Bridges and Tom Berenger.