My Most Inspiring Role…

Most movie stars have played parts that made us think, or made us laugh. Sometimes they've even inspired us.

But which roles make have meant the most to them? We asked seven of our favorite stars—including this year's host of the Academy Awards, Hugh Jackman, as well as Best Actor nominee Mickey Rourke—what role has meant the most to them.

Mickey Rourke
Where you know him from: A favorite for this year's Best Actor Oscar, the once-rising
star (in movies like Diner, 1982) is experiencing a celebrated comeback.

His most inspiring role: Randy "The Ram" Robinson in The Wrestler. My character in that film echoes my life. It's about a former star looking for a comeback. Sound familiar? Well, that film resurrected my career—and my life.

Everything was on the line for me when I was playing that character. It was perhaps my last chance at regaining what I once had. I was down and out for years in the movie business; no one would hire me and everyone thought I would never be on top again. You can't get a more inspirational role (and circumstances) than that.

Jason Isaacs
Where you know him from: He's best known to American audiences as bad guy Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movie series.

His most inspiring role: The whole story of Angels in America, the great big fabric of it, seven hours of these hundreds of characters going through this enormous drama... What you get from the end of it is a sense that if life throws difficulties at you, stick your chin into the wind and march forward. Never hunker down. Never give up hope.