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Changing faces

We take a look at just how much Mickey Rourke has changed over the years

Actor has altered his appearance many times since shooting to fame in the 1970s

MICKEY Rourke may have one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood, but fans may be surprised to see just how much the actor has changed over the years.

As The Wrestler star showed off his latest image overhaul at a movie premiere in New York last night, we take a look back at the many faces of Mickey Rourke.

 Mickey turned out for a movie premiere last night
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Mickey turned out for a movie premiere last nightCredit: Splash News
 He showed off a new hair style and hid his eyes under dark sunglasses
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He showed off a new hair style and hid his eyes under dark sunglassesCredit: Splash News

Mickey began his career as a boxer before stepping away from the ring to launch an acting career in the 1970s.

However, he had to wait until the eighties to become the Hollywood heartthrob we know and love.

 Fans fell in love with his smouldering good looks
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Fans fell in love with his smouldering good looksCredit: Rex Features

He shot to fame with his role in 1981 thriller Bodyheat, opposite William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and features Ted Danson, and won millions of fans with his smouldering good looks.

 Mickey has changed so much since he first started out in Hollywood
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Mickey has changed so much since he first started out in HollywoodCredit: Getty Images

The actor went on to become an international sex symbol following the release of saucy blockbuster 9½ Weeks with Kim Basinger.

After landing a slew of acting roles throughout the 1980s, Mickey decided to step away from Hollywood and go back to his first love - boxing.

 The actor looked incredibly handsome at the height of his fame in 1988
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The actor looked incredibly handsome at the height of his fame in 1988Credit: Getty Images

He first became interest in the sport at the age of 12, and Mickey was drawn back to boxing at many times during his life.

However, his life in the ring soon took a toll on his good looks as he suffered a number of painful facial injuries which required reconstructive surgery.

 In 1994, Mickey was easing back into boxing
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In 1994, Mickey was easing back into boxingCredit: Getty Images

Mickey later declared the multiple operations had not been the success he had hoped, and he was left bearing the scars of his multiple boxing bouts and rounds under the surgeon's knife.

 He couldn't resit getting back into the ring in the 1990s
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He couldn't resit getting back into the ring in the 1990sCredit: Getty Images

He went back to acting in the 1990s, but failed to emulate his previous success.

After many years in the wilderness, Mickey made his big comeback in 2005 with a role in cult classic Sin City.

 He found critical acclaim in 1998 with his turn in The Wrestler
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He found critical acclaim in 1998 with his turn in The WrestlerCredit: AP:Associated Press
 He went on to star in a series of blockbusters
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He went on to star in a series of blockbustersCredit: PA:Press Association

His role as Marv won him a new legion of fans, and Mickey found himself back in the big time.

 He looked a different man at the Oscars in 2009
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He looked a different man at the Oscars in 2009Credit: EPA

He went to score roles in films such as Oscar-nominated 2008 drama The Wrestler, superhero blockbuster Iron Man 2 and Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables.

 Mickey has continued to change his look in recent years
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Mickey has continued to change his look in recent yearsCredit: Getty
 The actor has enjoyed a huge career comeback
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The actor has enjoyed a huge career comebackCredit: AP:Associated Press
 He returned to boxing in the last few years
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He returned to boxing in the last few yearsCredit: Getty Images

Mickey made a brief return to the ring in 2009 for a bout with Elliot Seymour in Russia which marked his first professional fight in more than 20 years.

 He mixed his image up again in 2014
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He mixed his image up again in 2014Credit: Corbis

He won the showdown by knock out in the second round, but has since been concentrating on his acting career.

Mickey's looks have been as varied as his acting career over the years but he is continuing to enjoy success in Hollywood.

His latest film projects including a boxing movie titled Tiger and an action thrilled called WEAPONiZED.

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