By Jessica Williams, The Appleton Times
Los Angeles — Veteran actor Mickey Rourke has publicly denied any involvement in a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign that emerged last week, claiming it was created without his knowledge to help him stave off eviction from his home. In a candid Instagram video posted on Monday, January 5, the 73-year-old star expressed frustration and embarrassment over the fundraiser, which has already collected more than $102,000 from supporters.
Rourke, known for his roles in films like The Wrestler and Sin City, addressed the controversy directly in the video, which quickly garnered attention from fans and media alike. "Something’s come up that I’m really frustrated, confused and I don’t understand," he began, his voice laced with irritation. He went on to describe the page as an unauthorized charity effort: "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 f***ing charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger."
The GoFundMe page surfaced earlier this month, drawing widespread media coverage after The Hollywood Reporter published an article on Sunday, January 4, detailing its purpose. According to the outlet, the fundraiser was initiated by Liya Joelle-Jones, described as a friend and member of Rourke's management team. Joelle-Jones told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview that "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." The page's description explicitly stated that it was "created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent [eviction] from happening."
However, Rourke vehemently disputed this claim in his video, insisting he had no idea about the campaign and wouldn't know how to set one up even if he wanted to. "Whoever did this … I don’t know why they did it. I don’t understand it," he said. "I wouldn’t know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years. My life is very simple. I don’t go to outside sources like that. Yeah, it is embarrassing, but I’m sure I’ll get over it like everything else." He urged donors to request refunds immediately, emphasizing his independence: "Just get your money back, please. I don’t need anybody’s money and I wouldn’t do it this way. I got too much pride, man. It ain’t my style."
The actor's denial comes amid reports of financial strain, including a three-day eviction notice issued on December 18, 2025, as reported by the Los Angeles Times last month. According to the newspaper, Rourke signed a lease for the Los Angeles property in March 2025 at $5,200 per month, with the rent later increased to $7,000. Rourke addressed the eviction issue head-on, attributing his decision to withhold rent to ongoing maintenance problems with the house.
"Everything was good for five or six years, and then two scumbags from New York bought the house and they wouldn’t fix anything, so I said, ‘I’m not paying rent,’ because there’s mice, there’s rats, the floor is rotten, one bathtub there’s no water, in two different sinks there was no water," Rourke alleged in the video. He maintained that despite these issues, he would never solicit funds from fans or strangers, calling the situation "humiliating and it’s really f***ing embarrassing."
Adding another layer to the story, Rourke's manager, Kimberly Hines, provided a contrasting perspective in a statement to Deadline on Tuesday, January 6. Hines acknowledged that her team was behind the creation of the page, describing it as a well-intentioned effort to assist the actor during a tough period. "We’re trying to do the best that we can," she told the outlet. "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."
This discrepancy between Rourke's account and his team's statements highlights the confusion surrounding the fundraiser. While Rourke portrayed himself as completely unaware, Hines' comments suggest the page was launched as a supportive measure by those close to him. The funds, which reportedly surged past $82,000 in just one day according to related coverage, remain untouched pending resolution, per Hines.
Rourke also opened up about broader challenges in his career and personal life, providing context for his current circumstances. He admitted to mishandling his Hollywood trajectory in the 1990s, when he stepped away from acting to pursue a boxing career, leading to a professional downturn. "I wasn’t very diplomatic. I had to go over 20 years of therapy to get over the damage that was done to me years ago," he reflected. "I worked very hard to work through that and I’m not that person anymore, but I can’t be the one to say that — you gotta talk to the last several people I’ve worked with. Talk to Robert Rodriguez, talk to Francis [Ford] Coppola, talk to Darren Aronofsky. I’m not that wild man that I was 20-something years ago, but you pay the price for your past."
I have a roof over my head, I’ve got food to eat. Here, look, I got bananas. Everything’s OK.
Rourke lightened the mood at the end of his video by grabbing a bunch of bananas from off-camera, laughing as he assured viewers of his stability. He revealed that recent hardships, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 writers' strike, had depleted his resources, leading him to borrow money from a friend. Despite these setbacks, he stressed his gratitude for what he has, planning to consult his lawyer about potential legal steps regarding the unauthorized page.
The incident echoes other recent controversies in Rourke's life, including his abrupt exit from the reality show Celebrity Big Brother last year, where he expressed shame over his behavior. Reports at the time, including from Us Weekly, noted Rourke's admission of being "ashamed" amid the show's drama. Additionally, he has considered legal action against the production, as covered in related stories.
As the story unfolds, questions linger about the future of the GoFundMe funds and the status of Rourke's housing situation. With the page still active but donations paused at Rourke's request, fans who contributed — many moved by the actor's enduring appeal from his Oscar-nominated performance in The Wrestler — are left navigating refund processes. Rourke's team has not yet responded to further inquiries from The Appleton Times, but the actor's video has sparked a wave of supportive messages online, underscoring his lasting connection with audiences.
Beyond the immediate drama, this episode sheds light on the vulnerabilities faced by aging Hollywood icons in an industry known for its volatility. Rourke's candid revelations about therapy and career regrets offer a rare glimpse into the personal toll of fame, while his refusal of charity speaks to a code of self-reliance shaped by decades in the spotlight. As he moves forward, possibly with legal advice to address the page's creation, Rourke's situation serves as a reminder of the fine line between support and intrusion in celebrity culture.
For now, Rourke appears focused on clearing up the misunderstanding and maintaining his dignity. "I’m grateful for what I do have," he concluded in the video, a sentiment that resonated with many viewers. Whether the funds are fully refunded or repurposed remains to be seen, but the actor's firm stance against the campaign has effectively halted its momentum, redirecting attention to his resilience amid adversity.