Winning, Rourke style

And the crowd went wild. Not that there hadn't been a lot of love and respect shown for veteran actor Richard Jenkins -- because there had -- and the other best actor nominees at yesterday's Spirit Awards, but it was clear that the audience was fully behind winner Mickey Rourke.

For his part, he took advantage of the cable TV televised event and its "swear words encouraged" attitude to let loose (so this clip is NSFW) but not without spreading the goodwill that he's gathered by winning a number of high profile awards this season for his role in "The Wrestler."

Namely, he gave a shout out to Eric Roberts and said the actor "deserves a second chance," like the one he's now riding. He stumped for work for his talented, formerly troubled friend and, in the process, earned even more points on the likable scale. Though he quickly added, "Eric will probably be arrested by the end of the day."

Now that's a pal.

Rourke thanked his co-star, Marisa Tomei, whose name he nearly botched, for doing a hell of a job "bare assed." "Not many girls can climb the pole, you know what I'm saying? She climbed the pole, and she did it well."

Vintage Mickey, complete with thanking Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment and stumping for the next project for "The Wrestler's" producer Scott Franklin, "who's broke."

If he pulls an upset tonight, can't wait to hear what he'll come up with. Censors, prepare yourselves.