Hollywood legend Mickey Rourke is the latest celebrity to sign up for the new season of the reality show Big Brother, which premieres on April 7. Ahead of the show, he posted a photo from his farewell dinner in London, captioning it: “Currently in London with Liam Vaughan and his brother Ryan Vaughan. Liverpool is strong.”
However, fans of the 80s sex symbol barely recognized Rourke, speculating that he had undergone plastic surgery, which many considered unsuccessful. While his face appeared wrinkle-free, it looked unnaturally tight, with some fans commenting that it seemed as though Mickey could barely smile or express any emotion.
The actor, best known for his role in Nine and a Half Weeks, received a six-figure sum to participate in the show, boosting his net worth, which is currently estimated at £3.8 million. Still, producers worry that his rebellious nature might lead him to leave the project prematurely.
“His last true period of fame was during The Wrestler. Like everyone else, he has bills to pay, so participating in the show makes sense. He’s a producer’s dream – full of stories, unpredictable, and valuable. Producers are hoping for scandals, but if we see Mickey in a new light, that could work too. The worst-case scenario is him leaving early, as he did when he quit The Masked Singer,” an insider shared.
This season will also feature personalities like Chris Hughes from Love Island, Olympic champion Daley Thompson, Coronation Street legend Jack P. Shepherd, and others.
Rourke’s Hollywood career peaked in 1986 when he landed the lead role in Nine and a Half Weeks with Kim Basinger. During the 80s, he became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, starring in The Monster Fish, Angel Heart, Francesco, and Johnny Handsome. However, he disappeared from the spotlight, turning down major roles in films like Rain Man, Platoon, and The Untouchables.
In 1991, Rourke shifted to professional boxing at 38, competing in the light-heavyweight division until his retirement in 1995, undefeated. He suffered severe facial injuries during his boxing career and underwent multiple surgeries. “It was mainly to fix my face after boxing, but I didn’t go to the right specialist,” Rourke said in an interview.
At one point, he was blacklisted in Hollywood for being difficult to work with but thanked young directors who helped him revive his acting career. In 2005, Rourke landed a pivotal role in Sin City, reprising it in the 2014 sequel with Jessica Alba. His career reached new heights with The Wrestler (2008), a role that earned him an Oscar nomination. However, Rourke admitted that he knew he wouldn’t win due to his reputation.
