Mickey Rourke is pushing back hard against a crowdfunding campaign that was launched in his name after the actor reportedly faced eviction from his Los Angeles home.
The 73-year-old boxing legend turned Hollywood icon says he had absolutely no knowledge of the GoFundMe drive, calling it “embarrassing” and “humiliating.”
In a raw, unfiltered video posted to Instagram on January 5th, Rourke didn’t hold back his frustration about the $100,000 fundraising effort that appeared without his consent.
What sparked this controversy, and who’s really behind the campaign that’s already raised over $95,000?
The Eviction Notice That Started It All
Last month, Rourke was served notice to pay $59,100 in back rent or vacate his three-bedroom Los Angeles property within three days. According to court documents, the actor signed a lease in March 2025 for $5,200 monthly, which later jumped to $7,000.
The 1,600-square-foot home became the center of attention when someone decided to launch a fundraising campaign to “help cover immediate housing-related expenses” and prevent Rourke from losing his residence.
Rourke’s Explosive Response
The actor minced no words when addressing supporters in his Instagram video.
That’s not me, okay? I’d rather, if I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for no f—– charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger.
Rourke expressed complete bewilderment about how the campaign came to exist, stating he was “frustrated” and “confused” by the entire situation.
I wouldn’t know what a GoFundMe foundation is in a million years. My life is very simple, I wouldn’t go to outside sources like that.
Who Created The Campaign?
The GoFundMe was started by Liya-Joelle Jones, who identified herself as assistant to Kimberly Hines—Rourke’s manager. Jones claimed in the fundraising description that it was “created with Mickey’s full permission.”
Rourke’s video directly contradicts this claim, suggesting serious communication breakdowns or potentially unauthorized actions within his management circle.
There’s only one person I can think of that would do such a thing, and I hope it’s not the person I’m thinking about. It’s humiliating.
Reflecting On Career Management And Personal Struggles
With characteristic honesty, Rourke acknowledged his career hasn’t followed a traditional Hollywood trajectory.
I wasn’t diplomatic. I had to go to over 20 years of therapy to get over the damage that was done to me years ago. I worked very hard to work through that. I’m not that person anymore.
The actor admitted he’s “done a really terrible job” managing his professional life but emphasized his personal growth through decades of therapeutic work.
Setting The Record Straight On His Financial Situation
Rourke confirmed he did experience a financial setback related to rental property and borrowed money from a close friend to address it. However, he drew a firm line regarding public fundraising.
I would never ask strangers or fans or anybody for a nickel. That’s not my style.
Despite the eviction notice and acknowledged financial difficulties, Rourke insisted his situation doesn’t warrant crowdfunding assistance from the public.
The Campaign Continues Despite Objections
As of Monday evening, the GoFundMe had raised more than $95,000 toward its $100,000 goal—despite Rourke’s clear objections and requests for supporters to reclaim their donations.
The actor said he plans to consult with his lawyer about the unauthorized campaign and urged fans who contributed to request refunds.
Get your money back. I wouldn’t do it this way. I got too much pride.
Moving Forward
Rourke concluded his message by reassuring supporters about his wellbeing and future plans.
His immediate priorities include:
- Returning to work in the entertainment industry
- Consulting legal counsel about the GoFundMe campaign
- Addressing his housing situation through private channels
- Maintaining his dignity throughout this public ordeal
Representatives for Jones, Hines, and GoFundMe have been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
The situation highlights complex questions about celebrity privacy, financial struggles in Hollywood’s upper echelons, and the sometimes murky relationship between public figures and those managing their affairs. For Rourke, known throughout his career for fierce independence and uncompromising authenticity, accepting public charity appears fundamentally at odds with his sense of self—regardless of his current circumstances.