Rourke was born in Schenectady, New York, the son of Ann and Philip Andre Rourke, Sr., who was an amateur body builder. His family was Catholic and of Irish and French descent. After his parents divorced, he moved with his mother to South Florida, where he attended Miami Beach Senior High School. (There are some reports that Rourke took drama classes with the legendary "Teacher to the Stars", Jay W. Jensen, even appearing in at least one stage-play. However, the "P. Rourke" listed in that play's credits could have been his sister, Patricia Rourke, who also attended Miami Beach Senior High School.)Rourke's teenage years were more aimed toward sports than acting. Rourke claims he was raised in the tough inner city neighbourhood of Liberty City. However, a 1971 Natilus Junior High School telephone directory lists Rourke's sister's address as Miami Beach. Regardless, Rourke took up self-defense training at the Boys Club of Miami. It was there he learned boxing skills and decided on an amateur career. At the age of 12, Rourke won his first boxing match as a 118 pound bantamweight. Some of his early matches were fought as Andre Rourke.
He continued his boxing training at the famed 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach, Florida; joining the Police Athletic League boxing program. In 1969, Rourke, then weighing 140lbs., sparred with former World Welterweight Champion Luis Rodríguez. Rodriguez was the number one rated middleweight boxer in the world, and was training for his match with world champion Nino Benvenuti. Rourke claims to have received a concussion in this sparring match.
In 1971, at the Florida Golden Gloves, he received another concussion in a boxing match. After being told by doctors to take a year off and rest, Rourke temporarily retired from the ring. From 1968 to 1973, he compiled an amateur record of 20-7 (17 knockouts) which included wins over Ron Carter, Charles Gathers, and Joe Riles. At one point, he reportedly scored 12 consecutive first-round knockouts.
Rourke has dated several celebrities including Terry Farrell and Sasha Volkova. He has been married twice. In 1981 he married Debra Feuer, whom he met on the set of Hardcase (1981) and who co-starred with him in Homeboy (1988) as his love interest. The marriage ended in 1989.
Wild Orchid co-star Carré Otis was briefly a cause célèbre following the release of Wild Orchid due to rumors she and then-lover Rourke filmed an unsimulated sex scene. She married Rourke on June 26, 1992.
In 1994 Rourke was arrested for spousal abuse. The charges were dropped after the couple reconciled. They gave their relationship another chance and also starred together in Exit in Red but their marriage ended in December, 1998.
In November 2007, Rourke was arrested again, this time on DUI charges in Miami Beach.
Mickey Rourke is a motorcycle enthusiast and uses motorcycles in some of his films. He used to own a gym in West Hollywood called Shapiro and he was trained by Sandra Seacat. He was close friend of Bullet co-star Tupac Shakur. Mickey Rourke has used the name 'Sir' Eddie Cook in his writing credits. He has written or co-written 6 scripts: Homeboy, The Last Ride, Bullet, Killer Moon, Penance and the latest, Pain. Of these only the first three have made it to the silver screen.
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