January 16, 2009
Rourke: Just Call Him Romeo
Mickey Rourke made a new name for himself by winning a Golden Globe for his work in "The Wrestler" -- but revealed that in his boxing days his name was the last thing he wanted!
In a sit-down with Interview magazine and pal Christopher Walken, Mickey reveals that during his boxing days, he wanted to lose his already-known moniker for one with a little more spice -- Romeo Florentino!
"I tried to change my name for the fights, but the only way they could pay me money was if I used my own name," Rourke said. "They paid me a lot of money to go over to Europe and Asia to fight. I wanted to change my name to Romeo Florentino, but they didn't go for that. Romeo Florentino -- that's a good fighter's name."