Mickey Rourke crowdfunding for rent as he faces eviction

Article content

Actor Mickey Rourke has resorted to crowdfunding to help him stay in his Los Angeles home after reportedly owing about $60,000 in rent.

Article content

Multiple outlets reported that the Oscar-nominated actor, who had a career renaissance in the 2000s with films like The Wrestler, Iron Man 2 and Sin City, had been served a notice by his landlord in December to either pay the $59,100 he allegedly owed in back rent or vacate the premises within three days.

Article content

Article content

In response, Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and member of his management team, created a GoFundMe campaign on Sunday with the actor’s blessing to raise $100,000. As of Sunday evening, people had donated more than $16,000.

“Today, Mickey is facing a very real and urgent situation: The threat of eviction from his home,” Jones’s fundraising note says. “This fundraiser is being created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening.”

Landlord also seeking attorney fees, end of rental agreement

Rourke was served the notice on Dec. 18 at his home and in the mail, according to a complaint filed on Dec. 29 and obtained by People. He allegedly “failed to comply with the requirements” of the notice, leading to landlord Eric Goldie also seeking compensation for attorney fees and the “forfeiture” of the rental agreement.

Article content

Article content

Rourke reportedly signed a lease to the three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot home in March for a monthly rent of $5,200 that was later upped to $7,000, according to People.

The 73-year-old rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s, starring in films like Diner, Rumble Fish and 9 ½ Weeks. He left the industry, however, to pursue boxing at the height of his fame, which has left “lasting physical and emotional scars and the industry that once celebrated him moved on quickly,” Jones said.

“What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing and the chance to regain his footing,” Jones says of Rourke, who was nominated for a best actor Oscar for the 2008 film The Wrestler. “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.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Rourke involved in legal battle with Celebrity Big Brother UK

While IMDb links Rourke to six upcoming projects, he has been locked in a legal battle with Celebrity Big Brother UK after an ignominious exit from the reality TV show, during which he was accused of “homophobic” behaviour in a conversation with former Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa.

Article content

A manager for Rourke, who was asked to leave the show over alleged “inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behaviour,” told People at the time that the actor was “publicly embarrassed” by showrunners and denied his pay.

“There’s no question that when Big Brother booked Mickey Rourke, they were fully aware of both his public persona and how it aligned with his Hollywood rebel image,” Hines told People, adding they knew his appearance would be “explosive, controversial and attention-grabbing — and that’s exactly what they got and more.”

Article content