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The log line was "Witness the Resurrection of Mickey Rourke" The night
was February 22nd, 2009. The place: the Burns Court Cinemas 2009 Oscar Party, in Sarasota, Florida, organized and hosted by
theSarasota Film Society, a non-profit film presentation organization. The Event:
The 81st Annual Academy Awards!
Our special guests: Former World Tag Team Wrestling Champion and Hall
of Famer, Afa Anoai, who, with his brother and then partner, Sika, were known as the world-famous "Wild Samoans"
WWF (now the WE). Headliners during the late '70s and early '80s, Afa and his family, including
his lovely wife, Lynn, who serves as president of "Usos,The Samoan Family Foundation", a non-profit organization
that benefits troubled street kids, were there with their beautiful daughter, actress Vale.
The Conection:
Afa served as technical adviser on the film and as personal training supervisor for star Mickey Rourke. Vale appears as the drugstore pharmacist in a key scene opposite Mickey in the multiple
award-winning film. Afa and Mickey became fast and close friends over the approximately three months they worked closely
together, to ensure Mickey's performance as a professional wrestler was both safe and realistic. Anyone who
has seen the film will agree that both were successful in achieving those critical goals.
As for the Oscars,
Sean Penn won that night for his outstanding role as Harvey Milk in the biopic "MilK" and, while making his acceptance
speech, gave a special acknowledgement to Mickey for his performance and wished him a warm "welcome back."
As for the Party,, a great time was had by all, as the
pics directly to the right will attest.
Pictured across , Clockwise
From Left:
Afa, daughter Vale and wife Lynn Pose for Pics on the Red Carpet; The Movie Poster
for "The Wrestler" Afa, Vale and Lynn Enjoy the Party; Afa With Friends, Fritz & Pam; Oscar
Party Poster; Vale Sees Her Future with Oscar; Mickey Listens as Best Actor Nominees Are Announced; Afa
Looks On at Ringside During Film Rehearsals
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