‘Humiliating’: Actor Mickey Rourke denies approving fundraiser to avoid eviction

Actor Mickey Rourke has denied approving a fundraiser campaign to avoid eviction from his Los Angeles home and pay the nearly $90,000 he allegedly owes in rent.

The 73-year-old, who was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for his role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson in the 2008 film The Wrestler, was sued by his landlord in December for damages and legal fees after allegedly failing to pay $US59,100 (about $88,040) on his lease for a three-bedroom bungalow near West Hollywood.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Rourke was served with a notice ordering him to pay the overdue rent within three days or vacate the premises, and the notice was posted on the residence’s exterior.

On Monday, a GoFundMe campaign was launched by a member of his management team, NBC reported. At the time of writing, the campaign had exceeded its goal of $US100,000, raising $US100,525. The page noted that donations had been paused.

The fundraiser’s organiser, Liya-Joelle Jones, wrote on the page that Rourke was facing the “very real and urgent situation” of losing his home. She said the actor approved of the fundraiser’s creation.

However, Rourke later denied any involvement. “Somebody set up some kind of foundation or fund for me to donate money, like in a charity, and that’s not me, OK? If I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for no f---ing charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger,” the actor said in a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday.

The description on the GoFundMe page described Rourke as an icon. “His trajectory, as painful as it is, is also a deeply human one. It is the story of someone who gave everything to his work, took real risks and paid real costs,” Jones wrote. “Fame does not protect against hardship and talent does not guarantee stability. What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing and the chance to regain his footing.”

All funds raised would go towards Rourke’s immediate needs and housing-related expenses, she said.

“The goal is simple: to give Mickey stability and peace of mind during an extremely stressful time – so he can stay in his home and have the space to get back on his feet,” Jones wrote.

In his video message, Rourke implored his fans not to “give any money, and if you gave money, get it back”. He also said he would speak with his lawyer to “get to the bottom” of the situation.

The actor shared details about his current financial situation, explaining that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes had an immense impact.

“I was in a really bad situation with the place I was renting,” he said. “Everything was good for five or six years, and then two scumbags from New York bought the house, and they wouldn’t fix anything … but I would never ask strangers or fans or anybody for a nickel.

“I mean, that’s not my style. You ask anybody that knows me, it’s humiliating and it’s really f---ing embarrassing.”

GoFundMe did not immediately respond to this masthead’s request for comment regarding what would happen with the fundraiser page and the money donated.

Before Rourke denied any involvement in the fundraiser, fans flooded the GoFundMe page’s comments section, offering their support and sympathising over the actor’s predicament.

“Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man is one of my favourite movies of all time! We can’t leave Harley to live on the streets! Hope this little bit helps, hang in there, Mickey!” one fan wrote.

According to the complaint filed by Rourke’s landlord, the actor signed a lease on the Los Angeles house – the home of renowned author Raymond Chandler in the 1940s – in March. His rent was initially listed as $US5200 per month, and later increased to $7000, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Rourke’s fame exploded in the 1980s after appearing in films such as Diner, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Rumble Fish and 9½ Weeks. He eventually stepped away from the spotlight to, according to the GoFundMe page, search for “truth and authenticity”. This included a foray into professional boxing.

He briefly returned to acting in the 2000s, appearing in Sin City, Iron Man 2 and The Wrestler, for which he earned various accolades.

“What followed were years of struggle not defined by spectacle, but by survival: health challenges, financial strain, and the quiet toll of being left behind,” Jones wrote.

Last year, Rourke was removed from the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother following his use of inappropriate language and behaviour, including comments around the sexuality of fellow contestant JoJo Siwa. He later apologised and said he was “ashamed of” himself.

However, his manager has since said they would take legal action against the show over an alleged payment dispute.

Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter.