Mickey Rourke has denied any involvement with a GoFundMe page where the Oscar-nominated actor is asking for donations to avoid eviction.
In a video posted to his Instagram page on Monday night, Rourke said, “Somebody’s set up some kind of foundation or endowment to give me money, like a charity, and it’s not me, okay? If I need money, I don’t want some f**king charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger.”
Rourke, who was speaking while holding her dog Lucky and wearing a pink V-neck and distinctive cowboy hat, said she was “frustrated and confused” by the situation.
“I don’t know who did this or why they did it. I don’t understand it. In a million years, you won’t know what the GoFund Foundation is,” he continued. “You know, my life is very simple and I don’t rely on outside sources like that. And yes, it’s embarrassing, but I’m sure I’ll get through it like anything else.”
The GoFundMe page, set up by Leah-Joel Jones for Kimberly Hines, has now surpassed its $100,000 goal. A description on the donation page says that Rourke, once Hollywood’s “force of nature”, left “indelible physical and emotional scars” and was abandoned by “an industry that once admired him” after leaving acting to become a professional boxer.
“Fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability,” the description reads. “What is left is a human being who deserves dignity, housing and a chance to recover.”
In a video message, Rourke encouraged fans and donors: “Don’t give away money. If you give money, please give it back.”
“I’m going to talk to my lawyer. I hate talking to him, but I’ve always been with him and I love him, but I’m going to talk to Bill and get to the bottom of this,” Rourke said.
The actor was served a notice in December to pay approximately $60,000 in unpaid rent or face eviction from his Los Angeles home (via People). Rourke revealed a bit about his financial situation in the video, saying, “With COVID and the writers’ strike, I was out of money, but the house I was renting was in a really bad situation. Everything was good for five or six years, but then two writers from New York The bastard bought the house and didn’t try to fix anything…but I don’t ask strangers or fans or anyone else for a dime. I mean, that’s not my style. That’s what I ask people who know me. It’s humiliating and really embarrassing. ”
Rourke added, “I’m so grateful for what I have,” and assured fans that they have a “roof over their heads” and “something to eat.”
“Give us your money back,” Rourke concluded. “I don’t need anyone’s money and I wouldn’t do it like this. I’m too proud.”
The highest donation on the GoFundMe page was $5,000 from an anonymous donor. The second highest was $2,500, followed by $1,500.
One donor wrote: “A small gesture to the strong and great Mickey Rourke, a film legend and modern icon.”
Another donor wrote: “Because of the joy and inspiration you have brought to humanity (and the breed), you deserve to be supported during this difficult time. I hope you get back on your feet quickly.”
Rourke broke into Hollywood when she co-starred with Matt Dillon, Diane Lane and Dennis Hopper in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 drama Rumblefish. His other major works include “The Pop of Greenwich Village,” “9 1/2 Weeks,” “Angel Heart,” “Barfly,” and more recent films such as “Man on Fire,” “Sin City,” and “The Wrestler.”
Read Rourke’s full message below.
