> At a Glance
> – Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke has publicly rejected a GoFundMe that raised $102,693 in his name
> – The campaign launched after reports he faced eviction from his Beverly Grove home over $60,000 in back rent
> – Nearly 3,000 donors contributed in under 48 hours
> – Why it matters: High-profile crowdfunding efforts can surge without a celebrity’s consent, raising questions about verification and consent
A viral GoFundMe campaign blasted past its $100,000 target to help Mickey Rourke stay in his home-only for the actor to post a video insisting he never asked fans for a dime.
The Fundraiser That Took Off
Organizers created the page on Sunday, claiming they had Rourke’s “full permission” to raise money after news broke that the Rumble Fish star had been served a notice to vacate his Beverly Grove residence. The appeal painted a stark picture:
- Years of “health challenges, financial strain and the quiet toll of being left behind” after boxing injuries
- A career that “moved on quickly” after Hollywood celebrated him
- Urgent need to prevent eviction
By 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, $102,693 had poured in from 2,970 donors.
Rourke’s Rebuttal
In a social-media clip, the actor set the record straight:
> “Somebody set up some kind of foundation of fund for me to donate money, like in a charity, and that’s not me, okay?”
Rourke added that he does not understand why the fundraiser was created and reiterated he is not asking fans for money.
Key Takeaways
- GoFundMe campaigns can gain momentum rapidly, even without direct celebrity involvement
- The platform’s page stated the effort had Rourke’s permission; Rourke denies authorization
- December court filings show Rourke owed roughly $60,000 in back rent on the property
The incident underscores how quickly well-meaning fans can rally-sometimes before the intended beneficiary even knows the drive exists.
