Mickey Rourke was photographed in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, taking a trio of dogs for a walk, approximately two months after news broke that he was being evicted from his residence. The Oscar-nominated actor, aged 73, was dressed in an ash gray sweatsuit, featuring a zip-up hoodie and matching sweatpants, during the early morning outing in Southern California.
Rourke's Appearance and Recent Struggles
The star of The Wrestler accessorized with a pair of clear-framed sunglasses perched on his head and carried a cup as he strolled through the City of Angels. He wore white Adidas martial arts training shoes, adding a sporty touch to his casual ensemble. Rourke, known for roles in films such as Diner, Rumble Fish, and 9½ Weeks, held leashes connected to the three dogs during the walk.
This sighting comes amid personal challenges for the actor, including a high-profile eviction case. Late last year, his landlord demanded payment of $59,100 in unpaid rent or immediate vacating of the property, according to legal documents reviewed by Daily Mail. Rourke had leased the three-bedroom Southern California home since March 30, agreeing to a monthly rent of $5,200.
Legal Dispute and Property Issues
On December 18, Rourke was served with a three-day notice to pay or leave, as per a complaint from plaintiff Eric T. Goldie. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on December 29, alleged that Rourke failed to comply with this order. Goldie sought legal costs and termination of the rental agreement.
Rourke later criticized the property's condition, claiming it was in disrepair. He cited issues such as a non-functional kitchen sink, a bathroom without water, lack of heat, broken air conditioners, and infestations of rats and mice. He described the floor as rotten, dating back to the house's construction in the late 1920s, making it uninhabitable in his view.
Mourning Eric Dane and GoFundMe Controversy
Simultaneously, Rourke is grieving the loss of fellow actor Eric Dane, who passed away at age 53 on Thursday after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Rourke had paid tribute to Dane on Instagram last November, praising him as a "friend," "talented," and "very special" following Dane's appearance on the show Brilliant Minds.
He described Dane's portrayal of a character with ALS as "a riveting performance." Earlier this month, Rourke urged fans to pray for Dane during his hospitalization, according to US Weekly, before deleting the post. He expressed, "All we can do for Eric is pray hard and hope he's [not] suffering," adding that medical options were limited.
GoFundMe Backlash and Rourke's Response
In a related controversy, a business associate of Rourke's set up a GoFundMe campaign that raised around $100,000, purportedly to assist him. Rourke publicly distanced himself from the effort, stating he was unaware of it and felt embarrassed and angered. He told photographers, "That was some lady who worked for me did that s***. I know nothing. I'm embarrassed about it and I'm really pissed off about it."
He hinted at potential retaliation, saying, "I'll get even over it, all right, but it's not the right time, I'm sure." This incident added to the actor's recent public woes, blending financial difficulties with personal grief and public misunderstandings.
Overall, Mickey Rourke's Sunday outing in Los Angeles highlights a period of turmoil, marked by legal battles over housing, mourning a colleague's death, and navigating unwanted fundraising efforts, all while maintaining a public presence in the entertainment capital.
