Mickey Rourke is an American actor, screenwriter and retired boxer. In 1991 Mickey Rourke left acting and became a professional boxer for a period. In 2005, he made his comeback in mainstream Hollywood circles with a lead role in Sin City.

Mickey Rourke was born to a family of Irish and French descent. After his parents divorced, his mother, Ann, moved the family to southern Florida, where Mickey graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School.

Mickey Rourke learned boxing skills and decided on an amateur career. At age 12, he won his first boxing match as a 118 pound bantamweight. Mickey Rourke continued his boxing training at the famed 5th Street Gym, in Miami Beach, Florida, where Muhammad Ali began his career.