Mickey Rourke is Hollywood's great comeback this year. He has won critical acclaim for his role in “The Wrestler,” a Golden Globe for the best actor category, which also earned him best acting nominations from SAG and the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

 

In the movie, he embodies the character of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson, a fighter who is forced into retirement by a heart attack. The actor acknowledges the similes between himself and his character in "The Wrestler." He thinks the role of a man past his prime time had resonance for him.

 

As a veteran actor, Rourke admitted to have had a wild off-screen behavior that nearly ruined his reputation and almost cost him the lead role in "The Wrestler," but in spite of that he was named best dramatic actor for his role as an over-the-hill grappler in the movie. He stated that this has been a very long road back for him, because several years ago he was almost out of the movie business. Rourke was initially dropped from the film when the producers could not raise money to make the movie with him in the lead, and he was recast after Nicolas Cage, who was supposed to replace him and director Darren Aronofsky parted ways on the movie. The actor was so grateful for the chance he was given, that he even thanked his dogs for sticking with him when others did not.

 

In his speech at the Golden Globes the actor paid tribute to his agent, David Unger, for rescuing him from oblivion. He also thanked Darren Aronofsky, director of “The Wrestler,” for casting him despite the fact that his name didn’t mean much anymore. The film has put his career back on track and he already has several films in the pipeline, including a sequel to the superhero movie Iron Man.

 

Mickey Rourke also took the credit for personally having asked Bruce Springsteen to compose the ballad for "The Wrestler." As a result, the legendary rock star received the honors for best original song.