MICKEY ROURKE - ROURKE: 'I COULDN'T STAND NEPOTISTIC HOLLYWOOD'

ROURKE: 'I COULDN'T STAND NEPOTISTIC HOLLYWOOD'

Veteran actor MICKEY ROURKE quit acting to return to boxing in the early 90s because he was fed up with the "nepotism" that surrounded Hollywood. The ANGEL HEART star admits his decision was also influenced by the fact he's always preferred the company of sportsmen. He says, "I didn't really care to be friends with JACK NICHOLSON or this guy and that guy. I missed the competitiveness and simplicity of sport. "Sportsmen are passionate about what they are doing and I didn't find that in acting. I found a lot of nepotism, a lot of favouritism. Some casting woman would hire some actor that she thought was cute instead of the right man for the job. "I would rather hang out with (boxer) ROBERTO DURAN or (late soccer legend) GEORGE BEST, God rest his soul."