Why Mickey Rourke is asking fans for help amid eviction fears

Mickey Rourke has turned to crowdfunding after facing eviction from his Los Angeles rental home, launching a GoFundMe campaign to cover nearly $60,000 in unpaid rent.

The 73-year-old actor approved the fundraiser after being issued with an eviction notice in December. The campaign, titled Support Mickey to Prevent Eviction, was launched by Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and member of Rourke’s management team, and had raised around $33,000 of its $100,000 target at the time of reporting.

“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 told The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the fundraiser description, the money is intended to cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent eviction. “Mickey Rourke is currently facing a very difficult and urgent situation: he is at risk of being evicted from his home,” the page reads, adding that the goal is to provide stability while he works to regain his footing.

Court documents filed in Los Angeles show that Rourke received a three-day eviction notice in late December after allegedly failing to comply with lease terms. His landlord is now suing for damages and legal fees. The Los Angeles Times reported that Rourke signed the lease for the property in March 2025 at $5,200 per month, which was later increased to $7,000.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom Spanish-style bungalow was built in 1926 and was once home to The Big Sleep author Raymond Chandler in the 1940s.

The situation has prompted renewed online interest in Rourke’s finances, with many questioning his estimated net worth. Industry experts note that public net-worth figures often reflect past earnings rather than available cash, and do not account for fluctuating income, legal disputes or rising living costs.

Rourke rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in films such as Diner, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Rumble Fish and 9 1/2 Weeks. He later stepped away from acting to pursue professional boxing, a decision that resulted in serious injuries and disrupted his career.

He returned to mainstream attention in the 2000s with performances in Sin City and Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, the latter earning him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. Since then, Rourke has continued to work in film, often in supporting and independent roles.

In 2025, Rourke also made headlines after exiting Celebrity Big Brother UK following incidents of inappropriate language, for which he later apologised. His manager subsequently said legal action would be taken against the show’s producers over alleged unpaid fees.

Aasiya Niaz