Mickey Rourke Denounces GoFundMe Set Up to Pay His Rent

A GoFundMe launched to help Mickey Rourke avoid eviction raised about $1,500 in six hours before the actor posted a video saying he never asked for it and won't accept the money.

"I wouldn't take a ------- nickel of charity from anybody," the 73-year-old actor said in a video posted to social media.

What Happened

The GoFundMe went live Sunday, organized by Liya-Joelle Jones, assistant to Rourke's manager Kimberly Hines. The fundraiser had a goal of $100,000 and stated it was "being created with Mickey's full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent eviction."

Turns out Rourke had no idea.

In his video response, Rourke denied any knowledge of the fundraiser. "Somebody set up some kind of foundation or fund for me, to donate money, like charity. And that's not me, OK? If I needed money, I wouldn't ask for no fucking charity. I'd rather stick a gun up my --- and pull the trigger."

The Eviction Notice

Rourke got served a notice on December 18 to pay $59,100 in back rent he allegedly owes his landlord, Eric Goldie, or vacate his Los Angeles property within three days, according to a complaint filed December 29.

The property is a three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot home where The Big Sleep author Raymond Chandler lived in the 1940s. Rourke signed the lease in March 2025 for monthly rent of $5,200, which later jumped to $7,000.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Rourke was living in a hotel after being served with the eviction notice. In his video, Rourke indicated he's in a dispute with his landlord over the condition of the property.

Besides the back rent, Goldie is requesting attorney fees and asking for termination of their rental agreement.

The Manager's Response

Hines told Deadline: "My assistant started it to help Mickey as a nice gesture because he was being forced out of his home. It was not done with any mal intent. The money has not gone anywhere. If Mickey decides he does not want it, the money will be returned to his fans."

Jones had previously told The Hollywood Reporter, "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."

Rourke's Reaction

The actor made it clear he's embarrassed by the whole situation.

"This thing is very embarrassing … Don't give any money, and if you gave money, get it back. It's really humiliating. They say it's up to $100,000. I wouldn't take a ------- nickel of charity from anybody."

He added: "Whoever did this … I don't know why they did it. I wouldn't know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years."

Saying "I'm not the wild man I was 20 years ago," Rourke told fans not to donate. "You pay the price for your past. I don't need anybody's money. I wouldn't do it this way, I got too much pride, man. It ain't my style."

In The End

A well-intentioned assistant tried to help Mickey Rourke avoid eviction by launching a GoFundMe without actually checking with him first. Rourke found out when news stories started circulating and posted a video making it clear he never approved this and won't accept the money.

His manager says the money will be returned to donors if Rourke doesn't want it. Rourke made it pretty clear he doesn't want it.

The eviction notice is real. The back rent is allegedly unpaid. The dispute with the landlord is happening. But Rourke would rather figure it out himself than accept charity from strangers on the internet.

Whether his pride helps or hurts him in this situation remains to be seen. For now, the GoFundMe stands as an awkward reminder that even well-meaning gestures can backfire spectacularly when nobody bothers to ask first.

Bookmark this article for the latest developments involving Mickey Rourke’s housing dispute.