Mickey Rourke has broken his silence after a six figure GoFundMe campaign appeared online in his name, claiming it was set up without his knowledge as he faces a legal dispute over unpaid rent.
The campaign, which aimed to raise $100,00, was launched shortly after the 73 year old actor and former wrestler was reportedly served with a notice demanding $59,100 in back rent or to leave his Los Angeles home within three days. The page said the money was needed to help cover urgent housing costs and prevent him from being evicted.
Rourke addressed the situation directly in a video posted to his Instagram account on Monday Jan. 5, where he made it clear he had nothing to do with the fundraiser and did not approve it.
Visibly annoyed, he said he was “frustrated,” “confused” and did not understand why anyone would start a GoFundMe on his behalf. “That’s not me, okay?” he said in the clip. “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.”
He went on to say he had no idea how the platform even worked. Referring to whoever organised it, Rourke added, “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.”
The campaign was created by Liya-Joelle Jones, who described herself on the page as an assistant to Rourke’s manager Kimberly Hines. In the description, Jones claimed the fundraiser was “created with Mickey’s full permission.”
Rourke strongly denied that in his video, calling the situation “embarrassing.” He added, “But I’m sure I’ll get over it like anything else.”
He also reflected candidly on his past, admitting he had made mistakes along the way. Rourke said he had “done a really terrible job” managing his career and personal life. “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.”
Despite urging fans not to donate and saying he planned to speak to his lawyer, the GoFundMe continued to gain traction. By Monday evening, it had raised more than $95,000.
“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,” Rourke said.
He did acknowledge borrowing money from a close friend after suffering a financial setback involving a rental property. Even so, he stressed he would never turn to the public for help. “I would never ask strangers or fans or anybody for a nickel. That’s not my style.”
Rourke tried to reassure supporters that he was coping and intended to return to work soon. He ended the video with a plea to those who had already donated. “Get your money back. wouldn’t do it this way. I got too much pride.”
According to a Zillow listing, the property in question is a three bedroom, 1,600 square foot home. Court documents state Rourke signed the lease in March 2025 for $5,200 a month, which was later increased to $7,000. His landlord, Eric Goldie, is also seeking attorney fees and has requested the forfeiture of the rental agreement.
