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From Obscurity to Oscar Nominee: What 90s Star Mickey Rourke is Up to Now

Global Look Press — stills from the movies 'The Wrestler' (2009) and 'Iron Man 2' (2010)

Discover the unexpected twists in the life of Mickey Rourke.

Mickey Rourke, once a celebrated figure in Hollywood, has had a career full of twists and turns. Best known for his remarkable performance in The Wrestler (2008), which earned him an Oscar nomination, and his steamy role in 9 ½ Weeks (1986), Rourke's career was disrupted by personal struggles, leading him to step away from acting in the late '90s.

His return to the screen came with Iron Man 2 (2010), where he portrayed the villain Whiplash. Although he earned around $250,000 for the role — a modest fee by Marvel standards — his portrayal was lauded for adding considerable depth to the character.

Despite his undeniable talent, Rourke lost the Oscar for Best Actor to Sean Penn for Milk. His most recent noteworthy film was The Last Movie Star (2017). These days, Rourke lives a more reclusive life, staying largely out of the spotlight.

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