Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke is in a fight to keep a roof over his head, launching a public fundraising campaign amid reports he has been served an eviction notice for unpaid rent on his Los Angeles home.
A Public Plea for Help
The 73-year-old actor, an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, started a GoFundMe campaign over the first weekend of January 2026 with a goal of raising $100,000. This move came after People magazine reported he was served a notice on December 18, 2025, to pay $59,100 in alleged back rent on his "nicely upgraded Spanish bungalow," which was built in 1926.
The fundraiser, titled "Help Mickey Rourke Stay in His Home," was organized by his friend Liya-Joelle Jones. It has quickly gained traction, raising over $80,000 from public donations. The campaign description frames Rourke's situation as a human story of hardship that can touch anyone, stating, "Fame does not protect against hardship and talent does not guarantee stability."
Recent Sightings Show a Struggling Star
As the eviction threat loomed, celebrity news outlet TMZ published photos showing Rourke checking into a West Hollywood hotel with his dog. The images, taken in early January 2026, depicted the actor looking "a little rough" with a bandaged thumb and pants hanging low. He was seen wearing a wig under a cowboy hat, reportedly to cover his recently shaven head.
These hotel photos followed other TMZ snapshots from the previous week showing a haggard-looking Rourke picking up a food and grocery delivery. An insider told the Daily Mail that the actor, who has been open about past struggles with substance abuse, is now living "paycheque to paycheque." The source added, "Mickey has lived the life of a rock star... we shouldn’t be surprised that he looks nothing like he used to."
A Career of Highs and Profound Lows
Rourke's current financial and personal struggles stand in stark contrast to the peak of his fame in the 1980s. He broke out with roles in films like Body Heat (1981) and became a major star with performances in Rumble Fish, 9½ Weeks, and Angel Heart.
His career took a dramatic turn in the early 1990s when he left acting to become a professional boxer, a move he has said left him with lasting physical and emotional scars. Although he made a celebrated comeback with an Academy Award nomination for 2008's The Wrestler, leading to roles in Iron Man 2 and The Expendables, he could not sustain the momentum.
More recently, in 2025, Rourke's attempt to revive his profile by appearing on Celebrity Big Brother UK backfired. He was removed from the show after a confrontation with fellow contestants, including JoJo Siwa, and for using inappropriate language. In a since-deleted exit video, Rourke apologized, saying, "I’m ashamed of myself for losing it for a few seconds there."
The GoFundMe organizers hope the funds will provide Rourke with stability, stating the goal is "To give Mickey stability and peace of mind during an extremely stressful time" and to allow him "the space to get back on his feet." The campaign highlights the unpredictable nature of life, even for those who once shone brightly in the Hollywood spotlight.
