Entertainment | Mickey Rourke Rourke Shines Again at Venice Film Festival Ex-heartthrob stars in The Wrestler, which nabs Golden Lion By Kate Rockwood Posted Sep 7, 2008 4:35 PM CDT Copied Actor Mickey Rourke arrives for the premiere of the movie ' The wrestler ' at the 65th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Friday, Sept. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan) Former Hollywood bad boy Mickey Rourke returned to the spotlight yesterday when his latest low-budget film, The Wrestler, won top honors at the Venice film festival. Critics gushed over his performance as an aging wrestler who comes to terms with his failing body and flagging friendships. “It’s OK for me now at this point in my life to play ball, to be a team player,” the 51-year-old actor told Reuters. “A guy like me changes hard, I didn’t want to change, but I had to change.” Largely out of the public eye in recent years, Rourke is best known for the 1980s hits 9-1/2 Weeks and Angel Heart. Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Report an error