Block-faced character actor, whose malleable looks helped him segue from menacing characters ("Sea of Love" 1989) to reassuring ones ("The Dark Half" 1993). Rooker began on the Chicago stage, appearing in "Union Boys" and "Moon Children". He made the transition to features playing small character roles. In 1988 alone, he appeared in four films: John Sayles' "Eight Men Out", as a member of the Chicago "Black" Sox; Alan Parker's "Mississippi Burning", as a Klansman; "Rent-A-Cop"; and "Above the Law".

Rooker garnered critical acclaim for his disturbing performance in John McNaughton's "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" (1990). Filmed in 1986, and shelved until 1990, the film was finally released with an "X" rating due to its intensely realistic violence. Rooker's performance suggested the inner workings of a deeply disturbed yet outwardly normal man. Eschewing flashy characterization, Rooker crafted a human monster that truly unnerved the viewer. He has since been given strong supporting roles in the Tom Cruise vehicle "Days of Thunder" (1990), Oliver Stone's "JFK" (1991) and "The Dark Half" and "Cliffhanger" (both 1993).