Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke is confronting a stark reality off-screen, as legal proceedings commence to evict him from his Los Angeles rental property over substantial unpaid rent. The 73-year-old star, whose career has seen dramatic highs and lows, allegedly owes his landlord $59,100.
Legal Action and Mounting Debts
According to documents filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, the actor received a formal three-day notice to either pay the outstanding amount or vacate the premises on 18 December. Rourke, whose birth name is Philip Andre Rourke Jr., failed to comply with this demand. The actor had initially leased the three-bedroom, 2.5-bath house in Beverly Grove for $5,200 per month back in March, but the rent was later increased to $7,000 monthly.
The property's owner, Eric Goldie, is now seeking not only the back rent but also compensation for associated attorney's fees and damages through the courts. Representatives for the actor have been contacted for comment by The Independent.
A Tumultuous Year: From Big Brother to Financial Strain
This legal trouble follows a chaotic period for the actor, which culminated in his abrupt removal from the UK's Celebrity Big Brother house earlier this year. Rourke's stint on the reality show lasted just six days before he was ejected for "threatening and aggressive" behaviour towards fellow contestant Chris Hughes and using "inappropriate sexual language" towards Ella Mae Wise.
His time in the house was marred by controversy from the outset, including accusations of ogling presenter AJ Odudu and making homophobic remarks to star Jojo Siwa. While he was reportedly due to earn £500,000 for a planned three-week appearance, The Sun reported that his fee was slashed to just £50,000 following his expulsion. ITV did not comment on the financial details.
A Career of Peaks and Valleys
Rourke's current predicament stands in stark contrast to the peak of his fame in the 1980s, when he captivated audiences in films like 9½ Weeks and Angel Heart. His career was later derailed by personal struggles, a controversial foray into professional boxing, and a reputation for difficult behaviour.
He staged a remarkable comeback in 2008 with his Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated role in The Wrestler, where he played a washed-up fighter. Despite the critical acclaim, a sustained career revival proved elusive. In a candid revelation on Celebrity Big Brother, Rourke disclosed he had to borrow $500,000 from the bank during the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent actors' strikes, highlighting ongoing financial pressures.
Reflecting on his past troubles in a 2008 interview with The Times, Rourke said, "I lost everything. My house, my wife, my credibility, my career... I was like this person who was short-circuited and I didn't know how to fix myself." The latest eviction battle suggests the actor continues to face significant personal and financial challenges.
