Hollywood icon Mickey Rourke is facing the stark reality of losing his Los Angeles home, prompting the launch of a public fundraising campaign to cover a substantial rent debt. The 73-year-old actor, famed for his roles in The Wrestler and Sin City, has been issued with an eviction notice and is being sued by his landlord.
A Desperate Plea for Housing Stability
With $59,100 (approximately £44,000) in unpaid rent looming over him, Rourke has authorised a GoFundMe page set up by Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and member of his management team. The fundraiser, which seeks a total of $100,000, aims to cover the immediate housing debt and associated legal costs. At the time of reporting, it had already gathered over $33,000 in donations.
"Mickey is going through a very difficult time right now, and it’s been incredibly touching to see how many people care about him and want to help," Jones stated to the Hollywood Reporter. The campaign page frames Rourke's situation as a deeply human story, noting that "fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability."
From Hollywood Heights to Financial Hardship
Court documents reveal Rourke signed a lease in March for a property with its own storied past—it was once the home of The Big Sleep author Raymond Chandler in the 1940s. He initially agreed to a monthly rent of $5,200, which was later increased to $7,000. After failing to comply with a three-day eviction notice served in late December, his landlord initiated legal proceedings for damages and fees.
Rourke's career trajectory has been famously turbulent. A major star in the 1980s with films like 9½ Weeks and Rumble Fish, he left acting for professional boxing before making a celebrated comeback in the 2000s, earning an Academy Award nomination for The Wrestler.
Recent Controversies and Fan Support
The financial crisis follows a controversial year for the actor. In 2023, he was removed from Celebrity Big Brother UK for inappropriate language and behaviour, including remarks about fellow contestant JoJo Siwa's sexuality, which he later said he was "ashamed" of. His management subsequently threatened legal action against the show's producers.
Despite the controversies, fans have rallied to his support on the fundraising page. One donor commented, "I can cross off a bucket list item now, helping out my boy Mickey Rourke. Who would have ever thought he would ask me to help him not get evicted!?" The campaign's ultimate goal is to provide the actor with the dignity, stability, and chance to "regain his footing."
