Rooker made his film debut in 1986, playing the title role in "", based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. He was acting in a play when the play's director, who was going to do the prosthetics for "Henry", told him about the role. Rooker did not care if the script was good or bad; he just wanted to act in a film as it would "challenge" him. "Henry" was a critical success and Rooker was subsequently noticed in the filmmaking industry, which led to his receiving more film roles.