The Rise and Fall: Mickey Rourke's Turbulent Hollywood Journey

THE TUMULTUOUS LIFE AND CAREER OF MICKEY ROURKE: A WILD RIDE OF FAME, FORTUNE, AND FACE-LIFT FIASCOS

Hollywood's enfant terrible has been in the news again, and it's a story of love, loss, and the devastating consequences of playing with fire. Mickey Rourke, the once-and-again leading man, has turned 73, but his life is still as dramatic as one of his iconic roles. In recent months, he made headlines for his bizarre behavior on UK Celebrity Big Brother, where he unleashed a homophobic slur and was promptly shown the door. But that's just the latest installment in this wild ride of a career.

Rourke's path to stardom began with the 1986 drama "9½ Weeks," where he starred alongside Kim Basinger as the controlling Wall Street broker John Gray. The film cemented his status as a sex symbol and set him up for a promising future, but it also marked the beginning of his downward spiral. As Rourke's personal demons began to surface, so did his increasingly erratic behavior.

The actor's tumultuous relationship with his then-wife Carré Otis is the stuff of tabloid legend. The couple met on the set of "Wild Orchid" in 1989 and went on to have a six-year marriage marked by allegations of spousal abuse and Otis' struggles with heroin addiction. Rourke has always maintained that he's been misunderstood, but his behavior around this time suggested otherwise.

One infamous incident took place during filming for "Wild Orchid," when Rourke got into a scuffle with middleweight world champion Tommy Hearns at the actor's boxing gym. The punch that left an indelible mark on Rourke's face was later revealed to be from Hearns, but not before Rourke tried to cover it up by blaming tooth surgery. This was just one of many instances where Rourke's volatile behavior spilled over onto set.

As his career continued its downward trajectory, Rourke began to rely more and more on plastic surgery to maintain his looks. But the face-lifts and Botox only seemed to make him look more like a Chucky doll than a sultry leading man. The latest round of nips and tucks has left Rourke's features looking eerily similar to those of his 80-year-old self.

In recent years, Rourke has been open about the toll that Hollywood's demands have taken on his mental health. In an interview with UK TV show "The Word" in 1994, he ranted about the futility of being an actor and how it had driven him to become a professional boxer for three years. This was around the same time that Rourke was accused of spousal abuse by Otis.

Despite his many controversies, Rourke has always maintained a devoted fan base. When he made a rare appearance at his Beverly Hills home last month, fans flocked to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic star. However, insiders claim that Rourke has been living reclusively since his early exit from Celebrity Big Brother, reportedly refusing to leave his house due to embarrassment.

The pay dispute between Rourke and ITV over his fee for appearing on the reality show has taken center stage in recent weeks. Sources close to the actor have revealed that Rourke is suing for a reported six-figure sum, claiming that he was "publicly embarrassed" by the network despite being aware of his "Hollywood rebel image."

Rourke's former producing partner Bruce Rubenstein has weighed in on the situation, stating that the actor's reputation and talent make him one of the greatest actors of all time. However, Rubenstein also claims that Rourke is the most destructive human being he's ever met.

In a candid interview with The Scholarly Note, Rubenstein revealed: "Mickey was always fine with me, but I'd hear him yelling at other crew members through the intercom in his trailer. It was just rebellious stuff like wearing the wrong shirt for a particular scene and refusing to change even though there was a continuity issue."

The tumultuous relationship between Rourke and his former producing partner has been well-documented over the years. Rubenstein's comments come as no surprise, given Rourke's reputation for being impossible to work with.

As we celebrate Rourke's 73rd birthday, it's hard not to wonder if this is the end of the line for the actor. With a career marked by more highs and lows than the Grand Canyon, one thing is certain: Mickey Rourke will always be a lightning rod for controversy and drama. But will there be one final comeback left in him? Only time will tell.

For now, fans can only sit back and watch as this wild ride continues to unfold. With his latest antics on Celebrity Big Brother, it's clear that Rourke is still playing the Hollywood game – but is he ready for a new script?