Mickey Rourke says he’s deeply embarrassed by a GoFundMe campaign created in his name to help cover his rent, calling it ‘humiliating’.
The 73-year-old actor, who has been nominated for an Oscar, received a notice last month demanding he pay $59,100 in unpaid rent for his Los Angeles home. He was given just three days to pay, or he could face eviction.
Liya-Joelle Jones, an assistant to actor Stephen Baldwin’s manager Kimberly Hines, started a fundraiser on Sunday. She stated that Stephen Baldwin fully approved of the GoFundMe campaign.
As of Monday night, the campaign has raised $96,881 of its 100k goal.
In a recent Instagram video posted on Monday, Robert De Niro stated he wouldn’t accept handouts, even though he described his home as being in disrepair with rat problems. He also said he wasn’t aware of a fundraising effort on his behalf.
The actor, wearing a bright pink shirt, expressed confusion and frustration about the circumstances. He stated he would never rely on charity, saying he’d choose an incredibly dangerous alternative instead.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Rourke’s representative for comment.
Rourke said he had no idea what a GoFundMe was, adding, “My life is pretty straightforward, and I wouldn’t rely on outside help like that.”
He described the campaign as ’embarrassing,’ but quickly added that he’d move past it, just as he does with other disappointments.
The actor, despite appearing successful, admits he’s actually struggling financially and often lives paycheck to paycheck. He also feels he hasn’t managed his career very well.
He admitted he hadn’t handled the situation with tact, explaining it stemmed from past hurt. He’d spent over two decades in therapy processing those experiences and working to heal, and emphasized that he’s a different person now.
He asked his supporters to stop donating to the campaign and to get their money back if they had already contributed.
Rourke then shared that he is planning to speak to his lawyer about the situation.
The actor vowed to uncover the truth about what was happening and wondered who was responsible for it.
He said, “I can only imagine one person capable of this, and I really hope I’m wrong. It’s incredibly embarrassing.”
The actor acknowledged taking a loan from a close friend to help with his money problems, and stated he plans to share the friend’s identity in the future.
He firmly stated he would never ask anyone for money – not strangers, fans, or anyone else. He explained, ‘That just isn’t the way I do things.’
He stated he stopped paying rent due to problems with his property, including a rodent infestation, a decaying floor, and no running water in one bathtub and two sinks.
Okay, so everyone was worried after watching that, but honestly? Rourke just wants us to know he’s okay. It was so weird, but he ended it by basically telling everyone to ask for a refund, which… I don’t even know. He said he wouldn’t have handled things like that, that his pride just wouldn’t let him. It’s just… ugh, he’s so complex and I get it, you know? He wouldn’t want anyone wasting their money on something he wasn’t happy with. It’s just… Rourke.
The online fundraiser for Mickey launched early Sunday, titled ‘Support Mickey to Prevent Eviction.’ It highlighted his long career in Hollywood, aiming to encourage people to donate and help him through a difficult financial situation.
According to Jones, Mickey Rooney’s performances felt authentic and natural, rather than acted, and had a lasting impact on American cinema. He was known for roles in films like Diner, Rumble Fish, and 9½ Weeks.
Oh my gosh, I just read the most awful thing! Apparently, Robert is in serious trouble. Someone posted that he’s actually facing eviction – can you believe it?! He’s really struggling financially, and it sounds like he could lose his home! I’m so worried about him; it’s just heartbreaking to think about.
Said Jones: ‘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.’
Jones explained the fundraising campaign for Rourke is meant to help him through a very difficult period by ensuring he can remain in his home and focus on rebuilding his life.
The actor reportedly checked into a luxury hotel on Monday while facing possible eviction from his home in Los Angeles.
Page Six reports that the once-popular actor is currently staying at a well-known West Hollywood hotel, where rooms cost at least $550 per night.
Later that day, witnesses saw two men loading bags of clothing and a suitcase from Rourke’s house into a truck.
A GoFundMe campaign started after Rourke received a notice from his landlord demanding $59,100 in back rent, with an immediate eviction threat if he couldn’t pay, according to the Daily Mail.
According to a lawsuit filed by Eric T. Goldie, the actor from Angel Heart received an eviction notice on December 18th, giving him three days to pay the rent or move out.
Philip Rourke Jr., known as Rourke, has been living in a three-bedroom house in Southern California since March 30th. He signed a lease for $5,200 a month.
According to a legal complaint filed in Los Angeles on December 29th, Goldie claims the actor hasn’t followed the court order to either pay what he owes or leave the property.
Goldie requested the court order the actor to pay his legal fees related to attempting to recover the unpaid rent, and also asked that he be released from the rest of the lease agreement.
Jones shared with The Hollywood Reporter that she was touched by the initial success of the fundraising campaign for the Iron Man 2 actor.
Jones said that Mickey is having a tough time, and it’s been heartwarming to see so much support for him.
Rourke surprised people with his drastically changed appearance, appearing noticeably thinner and with a shaved head when he was recently seen leaving his home in Los Angeles.
Fans were surprised to see the actor looking quite different from his former, glamorous self when he collected a Taco Bell delivery at his house on New Year’s Day.
In his most recent public appearance, Rourke had lost most of his hair, leaving him nearly bald. A source told the Daily Mail that the actor has lived a wild and unrestrained life, much like a rock star.
Rourke has openly acknowledged his career has stalled, and he attributes this to his quick temper, which has caused problems with directors throughout his career – a pattern that was evident during his difficult time on a recent reality show.
He explained to The Sun that his difficulty landing leading roles in major films was due to his quick temper, which prevented him from getting parts in worthwhile, quality movies.
‘I’ve made mistakes, many, I have nobody to blame for my ship sinking except myself.’
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Robert Downey Jr. was considered one of Hollywood’s most captivating and unique leading actors, known for his memorable roles in films like 9½ Weeks, Angel Heart, and Rumble Fish.
He became known for his intense, captivating presence and won praise for his portrayal of a character inspired by the poet and alcoholic Charles Bukowski in the 1987 movie, Barfly.
By the early 1990s, his acting career began to decline when he left Hollywood to become a professional boxer. This led to several injuries that significantly altered his appearance.
The actor, originally from New York, revealed he’d broken his nose twice, needing five surgeries to repair it, and also suffered a broken cheekbone.
People have long been curious about Robert De Niro’s changing appearance, wondering if it was caused by his boxing career or cosmetic surgery gone wrong.
Even though his appearance had changed and he’d gained a negative reputation in Hollywood, Darren Aronofsky offered Rourke a valuable opportunity to revitalize his career.
He truly shone in the 2008 film The Wrestler, giving a performance that critics loved. He played Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson, an older wrestler struggling with injuries and past mistakes.
This role won him a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and his first—and only—nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
He appeared in Iron Man 2 and The Expendables, both released in 2010, but his career didn’t maintain momentum and eventually faded again.
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2026-01-06 16:07