Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke finds himself at the centre of a public and financial controversy after a crowdfunding campaign was launched in his name to prevent his eviction, which he has since called "humiliating".
Manager Confirms Campaign Legitimacy Amid Actor's Backlash
Despite the 73-year-old Oscar-nominated actor's furious public denial, his manager, Kimberly Hines, has now confirmed the $100,000 GoFundMe campaign is valid. The fundraiser was created by Liya-Joelle Jones, an assistant to Hines, who stated it was set up with Rourke's "full permission" to help him avoid being evicted from his Los Angeles home over $59,100 in alleged unpaid rent.
Hines told The Hollywood Reporter that while Rourke was informed, he may not have fully understood the situation. "We said, 'Mickey, there’s some people that want to help you out.' He’s like, 'Okay, great.' I don’t think he understood, and now it’s taken on this media frenzy, and he flipped out," she explained. The campaign has been successful, raising $100,490 as of Tuesday afternoon, surpassing its initial goal.
Rourke's Explosive Reaction and Financial Woes
In a stark contrast, Rourke took to his Instagram on Monday night to vehemently reject the campaign. In a video, clad in a bright pink T-shirt, he insisted he had no knowledge of the fundraiser and would never accept "charity". He used graphic language to express his pride, stating, "If I needed money, I wouldn't ask for no f*****g charity. I'd rather stick a gun up my a** and pull the trigger."
The actor, who has described himself as "rich poor" and living "paycheck-to-paycheck", admitted to borrowing money from a friend but insisted he would "never ask strangers or fans or anybody for a nickel". He cited poor conditions in the rental property, including rotten floors, rat infestations, and plumbing issues, as reasons for withholding rent. He urged donors to request refunds and said he was consulting his lawyer.
A Tumultuous Career and Uncertain Future
The eviction threat comes amid a long period of professional and personal challenges for Rourke. After a meteoric rise in the 1980s with films like 9½ Weeks and Rumble Fish, his career faltered. A foray into professional boxing led to significant facial injuries, requiring multiple surgeries. A critically acclaimed comeback in 2008's The Wrestler earned him an Oscar nomination, but his career momentum again dissipated.
Rourke has previously blamed his own temperament for damaging industry relationships, admitting, "I've made mistakes, many, I have nobody to blame for my ship sinking except myself." As this latest drama unfolds, the actor, who was recently seen checking into an upscale West Hollywood hotel, faces an immediate housing crisis and a very public dispute over how to solve it.
