Hollywood icon Mickey Rourke wants one thing crystal clear: he didn’t ask for your help, and he doesn’t want your money.
In a raw Instagram video posted Monday night, the 73-year-old actor—Chihuahua named Lucky nestled in his lap—forcefully rejected a GoFundMe campaign created on his behalf to prevent his eviction from a Beverly Grove rental home.
The fundraiser, which quickly surpassed its $100,000 goal with donations from over 2,700 fans, was allegedly set up without Rourke’s knowledge or approval.
What unfolded next reveals a complicated story about pride, management decisions, and a Hollywood legend caught between financial crisis and personal dignity.
Pride Before Money
Rourke didn’t mince words about the fundraising campaign.
I wouldn’t know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years. My life is very simple and I don’t go to outside sources like that.
The Oscar-nominated actor, known for iconic roles in “Barfly,” “Angel Heart,” and “The Wrestler,” expressed shock and humiliation at discovering strangers were donating money to keep him housed.
I would never ask strangers or fans for a nickel. That’s not my style. You ask anyone who knows me. It’s humiliating and it’s really f— embarrassing.
When told donations had reached $100,000, Rourke’s response was emphatic: he wouldn’t accept a single cent.
Behind The Eviction
Eviction paperwork filed December 29 cited $59,100 in unpaid rent for 2025—a staggering amount that raises questions about what happened.
According to Rourke, new owners purchased his longtime rental property and immediately raised monthly rent from $5,200 to $7,000 while refusing to address serious maintenance issues.
The actor painted a disturbing picture of living conditions that deteriorated dramatically:
- Rotted floors throughout the property
- No running water in multiple locations
- Severe rodent infestation
- Black mold growth
- Extensive water damage destroying furniture and belongings
Ricardo Villalobos, attorney for property owner Eric Goldie, did not immediately respond to requests for comment about these allegations.
Management’s Side Of The Story
Kimberly Hines, Rourke’s manager of nine years, directly contradicted her client’s claim about not knowing who created the GoFundMe.
Speaking with Hollywood Reporter from Europe, Hines said she and her assistant ran the fundraiser idea past Rourke’s assistant, and everyone agreed it might help. She arranged movers, a U-Haul, and emergency hotel accommodation for Rourke and his three dogs before landlords changed the locks Tuesday.
Nobody’s trying to grift Mickey. I want him working. I don’t want him doing a GoFundMe.
Hines revealed she’s personally fronting money for Rourke’s emergency relocation to a Koreatown apartment, though she acknowledged this arrangement can’t continue indefinitely.
The silver lining? The publicity generated four movie offers since the GoFundMe went viral—welcome opportunities for an actor who, according to Hines, hadn’t received calls for work in quite some time.
A Pattern Of Financial Struggles
Hines didn’t sugarcoat Rourke’s relationship with money management.
He doesn’t really know the word moderation. So he either has a lot or has nothing. He lives check to check.
According to his manager, Rourke’s accountant is working to stabilize his finances, and it’s time for a realistic conversation about living within means based on Social Security and sporadic acting income.
Rourke himself admitted career mismanagement during his video message.
Listen, I’ve done a really terrible job in managing my career. I wasn’t very diplomatic. I had to go to over 20 years of therapy to get over the damage that was done to me years ago, and I worked very hard to get through that.
Not That Guy Anymore
Rourke was quick to distinguish his current self from his turbulent past, citing therapy and personal growth spanning two decades.
He referenced acclaimed directors Robert Rodriguez, Francis Ford Coppola, and Darren Aronofsky as witnesses to his transformation, insisting he’s no longer “that wild man” from years ago.
I’m not that person anymore. You gotta talk to the last several people I’ve worked with. I’m not that wild man I was 20-something years ago. But you pay the price for your past.
Despite personal evolution, Rourke acknowledged that past reputation continues affecting present opportunities—a harsh reality many seeking redemption face.
Give The Money Back
Throughout his video message, Rourke repeatedly insisted donors should request refunds.
His rejection of charity wasn’t about ingratitude toward fans who donated because his films touched their lives—it was about maintaining personal dignity during crisis.
I’m grateful for what I have. I’ve got a roof over my head, I’ve got food to eat. Everything’s OK. Just get your money back, please. I don’t need anybody’s money, and I wouldn’t do it this way. I’ve got too much pride. This ain’t my style.
Whether donors will actually reclaim contributions remains uncertain, particularly since Hines suggested Rourke should probably accept help given his precarious financial situation.
For now, Rourke remains focused on moving forward, expressing optimism that work opportunities will materialize and life will eventually return to “whatever normal is.”
The saga highlights uncomfortable truths about Hollywood’s treatment of aging stars, financial vulnerability despite past success, and the complicated intersection between pride and practicality when facing hardship publicly.