Hollywood star Mickey Rourke has issued a furious and public denial after a crowdfunding page was set up in his name to stave off a reported eviction from his Los Angeles home.
A Viral Plea and a Forceful Rejection
The controversy erupted when a GoFundMe campaign, seeking to raise $100,000 (£73,789) for the 73-year-old actor, spread rapidly online. The page, which claimed to be organised by an assistant to Rourke's manager, stated it was launched with his permission to cover urgent housing costs linked to a legal eviction notice.
Rourke addressed the situation head-on in a video posted to his Instagram on Monday, visibly irritated and confused. He stressed he had no prior knowledge of the fundraiser and was investigating who was behind it. "I wouldn't do it this way," Rourke stated, repeatedly emphasising his discomfort with the public appeal. "It's humiliating. That's not me, okay?"
The Oscar-nominated actor used stark language to distance himself from the campaign, urging fans not to donate and stating he planned to have his lawyer take the page down. "I'd rather, if I needed money, I wouldn't ask for no f*** charity. I'd rather stick a gun up my a** and pull the trigger," he said.
The Details of the Los Angeles Eviction Dispute
The fundraiser was linked to an ongoing landlord-tenant conflict in the Beverly Grove neighbourhood of central Los Angeles. According to a legal complaint filed by property owner Eric T. Goldie, Rourke reportedly owed $59,100 (£43.9k) in unpaid rent at the time of the eviction notice.
Court filings indicate Rourke began leasing the three-bedroom property, historically the home of famed crime novelist Raymond Chandler, in March 2025. His monthly rent started at $5,200 (£3.8k) before rising to $7,000 (£5.1k). The landlord is seeking not only the alleged back rent but also attorney fees and termination of the lease.
Despite the serious financial and legal situation, Rourke insisted he is not destitute. He acknowledged borrowing money from a close friend after a setback linked to a rental property but drew a firm line at public fundraising. "I would never ask strangers or fans or anybody for a nickel. That's not my style," he asserted.
Reflection, Controversy, and a Climbing Fundraiser
In his candid video, Rourke also reflected on his past, admitting to mismanaging parts of his career and spending decades in therapy. He stressed he no longer identifies with his former self, a figure known for career detours into boxing and public controversies.
This includes his recent appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, which generated hundreds of Ofcom complaints over homophobic and sexually inappropriate remarks. Rourke apologised at the time, calling himself a "work in progress."
Ironically, as Rourke pleaded for donors to reclaim their money, the GoFundMe total continued to climb, passing $95,000 by Monday evening. The actor, who recently starred in films like 'Devil's Play', says he intends to return to work and reassured supporters he is coping.
