At a Glance
- Mickey Rourke publicly denounces a fundraiser that collected more than $100,000 in his name
- The actor calls the effort a “scam” and says he never asked fans for money
- Over $90,000 remains to be returned as his attorney works to refund every donor
- Why it matters: Fans who thought they were helping the Oscar-nominated star avoid eviction now face uncertainty over when-or if-they’ll get their money back
Mickey Rourke is trying to unwind a viral fundraiser that pulled in six figures after reports surfaced that the Oscar-nominated actor faced eviction from his Beverly Grove rental. In a Friday social-media post the actor said he is “upset and embarrassed” by the campaign and wants every dollar returned.
Fundraiser launched after eviction notice
The campaign went live last week, days after news broke that Rourke had been served a notice to vacate the home he rents in Beverly Grove. The page, hosted on a popular crowdfunding site, painted a stark portrait of the actor’s finances:
- $60,000 in back rent demanded in a December notice
- Claims that boxing injuries and Hollywood’s fickle attention left Rourke “surviving, not thriving”
- A statement that the fundraiser was created with the actor’s “full permission”
The appeal quickly gained traction, ultimately raising more than $100,000 from fans who remembered Rourke’s Golden Globe-winning turn in 2008’s The Wrestler and his breakout role in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film Rumble Fish.
“Scam” claim and refund push
On Friday Rourke pushed back hard. In a post circulated across his social channels he wrote that he never authorized the campaign and labeled it a “scam.”
> “My attorney is doing everything in his power to make sure anyone who gave their hard earned money is quickly returned,”
the actor said, adding that more than $90,000 remained in the account as of that afternoon.
The statement left donors scrambling for clarity. The fundraiser’s page had assured supporters that Rourke’s “full permission” had been granted, describing the effort as a way to prevent eviction and restore “dignity, housing and the chance to regain his footing.”
Campaign narrative vs. actor’s denial
The fundraising page leaned heavily on Rourke’s biography:
| Claim on fundraiser | Rourke’s reported stance |
|---|---|
| Actor gave “full permission” | Denies authorizing campaign |
| Boxing left “lasting physical and emotional scars” | Not disputed |
| Industry “moved on quickly” after his ring career | Not disputed |
| Funds needed to stop imminent eviction | Says he never asked fans for cash |
The page also invoked Rourke’s Oscar nomination and Golden Globe win, arguing that “fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability.”
What happens next
Rourke’s legal team has not provided a timeline for refunds. The crowdfunding platform’s standard policy allows campaign organizers up to 30 days to initiate withdrawals, but donors can file charge-backs with their credit-card companies if funds have not yet been disbursed.
The actor, who also starred in Barfly and Diner, has not indicated whether he will pursue civil action against whoever launched the campaign. Representatives for the platform declined to comment on individual cases, citing privacy rules.
Key takeaways
- A fundraiser that claimed to help Mickey Rourke stay in his home raised over $100,000
- Rourke now calls the effort unauthorized and wants all donations returned
- More than $90,000 is still unaccounted for as the actor’s attorney coordinates refunds
- Donors may need to rely on credit-card protections if direct refunds stall
According to News Of Philadelphia, sources close to the situation say the actor hopes to resolve the matter “quietly and quickly” so fans face no further losses.
