In the heart of Beverly Hills, passers-by recently witnessed an unexpectedly comical scene: Mickey Rourke appeared in public with renowned stylist Giuseppe Franco, strikingly reminiscent of characters from the cult comedy Zoolander. Their striking looks, as if straight out of a satirical fashion show, turned the duo into the living embodiment of Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson).
Rourke, with his tousled blond hair and daring outfit, inevitably evoked associations with Hansel’s relaxed model charm. Giuseppe completed the picture in an elegant black suit and voluminous hairstyle — one that would be perfect for any parody of the world of high fashion.
Both literally radiated the grotesque energy of the 2001 cult film, which pokes fun at the world of modelling. From their eccentric outfits to their confident stride down the pavement, everything looked like a real-life Blue Steel.
Mickey complemented the look with his signature accessories: a massive cross hung boldly on his partially exposed chest, adding even more theatricality to his appearance. The former idol of the 80s combined the striking jewellery with a half-unbuttoned shirt, jeans and eye-catching red boots, demonstrating that even at 65, he is not afraid to break stereotypes with his original style and flamboyant public appearances. For him, the cross is not just a detail of his image, but a sign of personal identity and spiritual conviction, reflecting his long-standing commitment to the Catholic faith.
Although many remember him for his explicit erotic dramas such as Wild Orchid, in which he starred alongside his then-girlfriend Carre Otis, Rourke’s fate was far from cloudless. After a period when he was enthusiastically hailed as a symbol of brutal beauty, his professional boxing career left his face with serious injuries and noticeable changes.
Further operations to correct the damage caused in the ring only complicated the situation and changed the actor’s appearance even more. Mickey spoke quite candidly about the extent of the interventions: ‘I broke my nose twice, had five operations on it, and had to work on my cheekbone. They even took cartilage from my ear to restore parts of my nose — and still the scars healed incorrectly.’
In addition to his medical trials, he underwent an extremely painful procedure for haemorrhoids, which he called ‘one of the most agonising’ experiences of his life — although he admitted that even this was not as difficult as the other operations he had undergone.
Rourke’s brief return to boxing between 1991 and 1994 included eight fights: six wins and two draws — mostly against opponents who were not widely known. In 2014, he returned to the ring for an exhibition match and ended it with a knockout, although controversial rumours later circulated about the possibility of the victory being staged.
But despite all the blows — both literal and figurative — Mickey Rourke remains a symbol of resilience. Whether walking the streets of Los Angeles in designer outfits or candidly discussing personal trials, he consistently stands out, does not blend into the crowd, and clearly has no intention of quietly disappearing from Hollywood.
During his recent appearance with Franco, their unexpected resemblance to the absurd models from Zoolander may have been pure coincidence, but it served as a funny reminder that fashion — like fame — often comes full circle and returns to where it began.
And for Rourke, a man who is constantly changing and reinventing himself, that circle is almost always much more extravagant than most.
