Mickey Rourke, star of Sin City and Iron Man 2, has launched a fundraiser to pay $60,000 in rent after a threat of eviction.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that 73-year-old Rourke is using GoFundMe to raise money to pay $59,100 in owed rent after receiving an eviction notice from his Los Angeles rental home.
Rourke enjoyed superstardom in the '80s before leaving acting to pursue professional boxing. He made a comeback to mainstream Hollywood with the lead role in 2005 neo-noir action thriller Sin City, then starred in 2008's critically acclaimed The Wrestler, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe, and 2010 MCU sequel Iron Man 2 as main villain Whiplash.
Here’s the plea:
Mickey Rourke entered American cinema like a force of nature — raw, fearless, and utterly original. In the late 1970s and 1980s, he wasn’t just a movie star; he was a symbol of something rare: danger paired with vulnerability, toughness paired with heart. From Diner to Rumble Fish to 9½ Weeks, Mickey gave audiences performances that felt lived-in, not performed, and left a permanent mark on American film culture. Mickey’s life never followed a safe or protected path. At the height of his success, he stepped away from Hollywood in search of truth and authenticity, choosing risk over comfort. Boxing — real and punishing — left lasting physical and emotional scars, and the industry that once celebrated him moved on quickly. What followed were years of struggle not defined by spectacle, but by survival: health challenges, financial strain, and the quiet toll of being left behind.
Today, Mickey is facing a very real and urgent situation: the threat of eviction from his home. This fundraiser is being created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening. Mickey Rourke is an icon — but his trajectory, as painful as it is, is also a deeply human one. It is the story of someone who gave everything to his work, took real risks, and paid real costs. Fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability. What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing, and the chance to regain his footing. The goal is simple: to give Mickey stability and peace of mind during an extremely stressful time — so he can stay in his home and have the space to get back on his feet. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference. And if you’re not able to contribute, sharing this page is a huge help and deeply appreciated. Thank you so much for your kindness, compassion, and support.
At the time of this article’s publication, $51,680 was raised of the $100,000 target, from 1,300 donations.
Rourke reportedly approved the GoFundMe page, which was launched by Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and member of Rourke’s management team. Jones 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.”
According to The Los Angeles Times, Rourke signed the lease on his three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, in March 2025 for $5,200 per month. It was later raised to $7,000 per month. According to the publication, Rourke received a three-day notice to pay rent or vacate the premises mid-December, but failed to comply.
The GoFundMe page includes a number of messages of support. “Shed any unnecessary feelings of embarrassment and instead BASK IN THIS LOVE!” said one donor. “I’m sitting here truly enjoying watching these donations grow so quickly. All these people wanting to connect with you in even the smallest way — that’s the real gift here, right? And F 'Mister Nobody' — his screen name says it all. At least you got 5 bucks out of him.” “Go Micky thanks for Sin City!!” said another. “Hang in there, Bullet! We got you ;-)” another fan said.
Rourke was ejected from Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2025 due to inappropriate language and behavior that he later admitted, including remarks about the sexuality of his fellow contestant JoJo Siwa. “I’m ashamed of myself,” he said at the time. His manager later announced he would take legal action against the reality show, claiming its producers “were fully aware of both his public persona and how it aligned with his Hollywood rebel image,” but had refused to pay his full agreed fee after his exit.
Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/sin-city-and-iron-man-2-star-mickey-rourke-launches-fundraiser-to-pay-60000-in-rent-after-eviction-notice