Mickey Rourke Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Mickey Rourke’s Net Worth and Salary?

An American actor, Mickey Rourke, boasts a net worth of $5 million. He rose to prominence in the 1980s, earning acclaim for his performances in films such as “Diner” (1982) and “The Pope of Greenwich Village” (1984). With his rugged good looks and brooding intensity, Rourke became a star, appearing in notable films including “9½ Weeks” (1986) and “Angel Heart” (1987).

Sadly, his career hit a rough patch in the early 1990s, primarily due to unmanageable behavior on set and questionable role choices. Rourke then stepped away from acting to pursue a career in professional boxing, changing his appearance and further complicating his opportunities in Hollywood.

After years spent out of the limelight, Rourke made a stunning comeback with his Oscar-nominated role in “The Wrestler” (2008). This performance rekindled his career, leading to significant roles in major films such as “Iron Man 2” (2010) and “The Expendables” (2010).

Early Life

On September 16th, 1952, Philip Andre Rourke Jr. entered the world in Schenectady, New York. Growing up in a Catholic family greatly influenced his later years. To this day, Rourke practices Catholicism, earning the description of “a good Catholic” from peers. When Mickey was just six years old, his father abandoned the family. Initially, his mother raised Rourke and his siblings by herself before remarrying and relocating the family to South Florida. Mickey Rourke graduated from high school in Miami in 1971.

Boxing Career

During his teenage years, Mickey Rourke demonstrated a strong athletic inclination and began amateur boxing at the age of 12. By the time he turned 25, he had amassed a record of 27 wins and three losses, despite suffering from numerous concussions.

Acting Career

Rourke commenced his career with minor roles in films like “1941” and “Heaven’s Gate” before gaining critical recognition in the 1981 film “Body Heat.” His breakout role came with a powerful performance in “Diner” (1982), where his raw talent and natural charisma won over both audiences and critics.

Throughout the 1980s, Rourke established himself as a leading man, delivering memorable performances in notable films such as “Rumble Fish” (1983), “The Pope of Greenwich Village” (1984), and “Year of the Dragon” (1985). His role in the erotic drama “9½ Weeks” (1986) alongside Kim Basinger solidified his status as a Hollywood sex symbol, while performances in “Angel Heart” (1987) and “Barfly” (1987) highlighted his remarkable versatility as an actor.

Despite his escalating fame, the late 1980s and early 1990s proved tumultuous for Rourke. Frustrated with the Hollywood scene and his career path, he made the shocking choice to abandon acting for professional boxing in 1991. This unusual career change led to facial injuries that significantly altered his appearance, necessitating extensive reconstructive surgery later on.

During his hiatus from boxing, Rourke encountered a sparse film career, often relegated to supporting roles in projects that fell short of matching his previous triumphs. His career seemed to dwindle into direct-to-video endeavors, with moments of his former brilliance surfacing in films like “The Rainmaker” (1997) and “Buffalo ’66” (1998).

Rourke’s exceptional comeback began to take shape in the early 2000s with roles infilms like “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” and “Man on Fire.” The pivotal moment in his career occurred in 2005 when he took on the role of Marv in Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City,” where his formidable physicality and gravelly voice complemented the film’s noir style beautifully.

The climax of his career revival came with his Oscar-nominated portrayal in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” (2008). In the role of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a faded professional wrestler yearning for one final chance at fame, Rourke delivered a powerful and vulnerable performance that many reviewers regarded as semi-autobiographical. This role garnered him a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, solidifying his return to the ranks of Hollywood’s elite.

Following “Wrestler,” Rourke has remained active in his career, featuring in major films such as “Iron Man 2” (2010) where he played the antagonist Ivan Vanko, and continuing his partnership with Rodriguez on “Machete” (2010) and “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” (2014). Although not all of his recent endeavors have achieved the same acclaim as “The Wrestler,” Rourke continues to be a captivating screen presence, infusing his roles with intensity and authenticity.

Relationships

Mickey Rourke’s initial marriage was to Debbie Feuer in 1981. They met on the set of “Hardcase,” later reuniting in the film “Homeboy.” Their marriage ended in divorce in 1989, although they maintained a friendly relationship afterward. Rourke attributed some of the relationship’s difficulties to his role in “9 ½ Weeks.”

In 1989, Mickey Rourke starred alongside Carre Otis in “Wild Orchid,” which allegedly featured an unsimulated sex scene between them. The couple wed in 1992. However, Rourke faced arrest for spousal abuse charges two years later, charges that were eventually dismissed. They reconciled and worked together on the film “Exit In Red,” but their marriage ultimately dissolved in 1998.

Over the years, Mickey Rourke has been linked to various female celebrities, including Terry Farrell, Sasha Volkova, Courtney Love, and Bai Ling. Between 2009 and 2015, he was in a long-term relationship with Anastassija Makarenko.

Personal Life & Politics

Mickey Rourke has encountered several challenges in his career, confessing to grappling with various mental health issues before his return to acting. He mentioned that assistance from his agent, psychiatrist, and a Catholic priest helped him navigate those difficult times.

Known for his activism and candid political opinions, Rourke has made headlines for his charitable actions and statements. In 1989, he contributed most of his approximate $2 million salary to organizations advocating for Joe Doherty, a member of the IRA involved in an attack against British forces. Over the years, Rourke has shown support and admiration for George W. Bush, particularly concerning his management of the Iraq war.

In 2014, he purchased a t-shirt featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin’s image, later clarifying that he respected the president after a previous meeting. In 2015, he endorsed Ben Carson as the Republican nominee while openly criticizing Donald Trump, labeling him as “garbage.”

Among other things, one can say, “can president.”

A devoted dog enthusiast, Mickey Rourke has a fondness for small breeds. Throughout his life, he has owned five chihuahuas.

Arrests

There have been multiple occasions when Mickey Rourke faced arrest. Besides his 1994 arrest (which he resisted), he was apprehended for a DUI in Miami Beach in 2007. Again in 2014, he found himself arrested for a DUI while riding his Vespa.

Endorsements

Throughout the years, Mickey Rourke has boosted his net worth through various brand endorsements. In the early 1990s, he featured in Japanese commercials for Suntory Reserve and Daihatsu. During this timeframe, he also starred in ads for Lark cigarettes. In 2010, he appeared in another commercial endorsing Bavaria Beer.

Real Estate

Details regarding Mickey Rourke’s real estate investments (if any exist) are not widely publicized. However, it is known that he leases various apartments. In 2011, reports indicated that Rourke was transitioning from a 5,000-square-foot Manhattan apartment to a smaller rental place. His previous apartment reportedly had a rental price of nearly $20,000 per month, while the smaller apartment he opted for had a cost of $13,500 per month.

By 2014, Rourke was rumored to be searching for another rental property, with consideration for options around $10,000 per month. Eventually, he opted for an 18-month lease and moved into a Tribeca apartment. In 2017, his landlord took legal action against him for unpaid rent and damages. Allegedly, he ceased paying rent two months prior to the lease’s expiration, resulting in a debt of $30,000 for unpaid rent. He was also accused of causing $10,000 in damages to the apartment, which included holes in the walls, a damaged bathtub, a broken front door lock, and the unauthorized addition of “disco lights” on the ceiling.

This was not the first time Rourke faced such matters. In 1994, he was removed from the Donald Trump Plaza Hotel due to significant damage caused to the Central Park Suite. It was reported that Rourke destroyed $20,000 worth of furniture in the suite, which cost $5,000 per night.