Mickey Rourke Appears in Good Spirits Amid Eviction Fallout
Mickey Rourke, the 73-year-old Oscar-nominated actor, was seen in Los Angeles on Thursday, seemingly in good spirits to wrap up a challenging week. He was pictured at the Mulberry Street Pizzeria, sporting a shaggy auburn hairdo and engaging with fans.
Court Ruling Favors Landlord in Eviction Case
The outing came just days after a Los Angeles court issued a default judgment in favor of his former landlord, Eric T. Goldie. The ruling canceled the lease for a home Rourke had rented for most of the previous year and granted Goldie immediate possession of the property. According to court documents, Rourke owed $59,100 in unpaid rental fees and failed to respond to an eviction notice within the required timeframe under California law.
Rourke's Statement on Withholding Rent
Rourke's team provided a statement to the Daily Mail on Wednesday, explaining his side of the dispute. The actor stated that he stopped paying rent because the living conditions had become unacceptable, with ongoing issues such as rodent problems and malfunctioning bathroom plumbing. He emphasized that he made repeated requests for repairs, but the problems persisted, leading him to withhold rent as a last resort.
Rourke said: 'Withholding rent was not a decision I made lightly. I simply could not continue paying for a house that was in such poor condition after so many attempts to have these issues corrected.'
Fashion and Fan Interactions
During his outing, Rourke donned a purple Western-style top with blue jeans, accessorized with dark sunglasses, a large leather belt, and grey boots. He was seen chatting with a friend and posing for pictures with fans on the sunny weekday in Southern California.
GoFundMe Campaign Rejected
In a related development, fans had donated approximately $100,000 through a GoFundMe campaign set up by an assistant to Rourke's manager. However, Rourke rejected the money, calling it a 'cruel embarrassment' and stating he was unaware of the campaign. The court's judgment focused solely on possession of the property, not financial disputes.
Background of the Rental Agreement
Rourke, whose full name is Philip Rourke Jr., had resided in the three-bedroom Southern California home since March 30, 2025, under a lease agreeing to pay $5,200 per month in rent. Goldie filed a legal complaint in late December, alleging Rourke failed to comply with a three-day notice to pay or leave issued on December 18.
The actor, known for films like Diner, Sin City, and 9½ Weeks, continues to navigate this legal and personal challenge while maintaining his public presence in Los Angeles.
