American actor Mickey RourkeThe 73-year-old has firmly denied initiating or approving an online fundraiser intended to help him pay his unpaid rent. In a video posted on Instagram, he called the initiative humiliating and insisted he would never ask for financial assistance from strangers or his fans.
A controversial fundraising campaign
The controversy erupted after the launch of a crowdfunding page aiming to raise nearly 100 000 dollars to help Rourke avoid eviction. The crowdfunding campaign, launched by a close friend, aimed to cover approximately $60,000 in unpaid rent accumulated since March 2025. The page explained that fame does not protect against financial hardship and that the goal was to allow the actor to keep a roof over his head and regain stability.
The actor's denial
Faced with the scale of the media attention and the funds already raised, Mickey Rourke stated that he was unaware of the creation of this fundraising campaign and that he had not given any authorization for his name to be associated with it. In his video, he declared that he did not understand this situation and that he would never ask for this type of help, encouraging those who had already donated to ask for a refund.
The actor also described the entire episode as "very embarrassing and humiliating", specifying that he did not intend to change his lifestyle or solicit funds from people he did not know.
According to some sources, Mickey Rourke received a December 2025 eviction notice demanding that he settle nearly $60,000 in unpaid rent for his Los Angeles residence. Although he had experienced financial difficulties, he reportedly borrowed from friends to cover some expenses, but never sought money from his fans or the general public.
The controversy has sparked contrasting reactions, with some believing the collection was a gesture of support, while others stressed that the actor needed to clarify his position. Mickey Rourke indicated that he would consult his lawyer in order to protect his image and prevent such initiatives from being carried out in his name without his consent.
