> At a Glance
> – Mickey Rourke launched a $100,000 GoFundMe on Jan. 4 to avoid eviction from his L.A. home
> – The 73-year-old actor owes $59,100 in back rent and was served notice in December
> – $68,000 raised by 1,700 donors within 24 hours
> – Why it matters: A Hollywood star’s public plea highlights how even celebrities face housing crises amid industry strikes and financial strain
Mickey Rourke, Oscar-nominated actor and former boxer, is turning to fans for help after falling behind on rent. A management-team friend started the crowdfunding campaign with his full permission.
The Fundraiser
The GoFundMe page-titled “Help Mickey Rourke Stay in His Home”-went live Jan. 4 with a $100,000 target. By the morning of Jan. 5 it had pulled in $68,000 from roughly 1,700 donations.
The description says Rourke is “at risk of being evicted” and needs funds for “immediate housing-related expenses.”
Financial Fallout from the Strike
While on Celebrity Big Brother U.K. in April 2025, Rourke told housemate Chris Hughes he had to “borrow half a million dollars from the bank” during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which lasted 118 days.
> “Two years of Covid and then a seven-month actor strike. I had to borrow half a million dollars from the bank to get by and pay bills off.”
He claimed he stood “with all the poor people that will never get a job” while bigger names made brief appearances.
Timeline of Trouble
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July-Nov 23 | SAG-AFTRA strike halts most film/TV work |
| April 25 | Rourke reveals $500k loan on CBB U.K. |
| Dec 25 | Eviction notice served for $59,100 arrears |
| Jan 4 26 | GoFundMe created |
| Jan 5 26 | $68k raised toward $100k goal |
Rourke exited Celebrity Big Brother early after producers said his language was “threatening and aggressive.” He later pursued legal action over an alleged pay dispute.
Key Takeaways
- Mickey Rourke needs $100k total; $68k is already pledged
- Back-rent debt of $59,100 triggered eviction papers in December
- The 2023 actors’ strike forced him into a $500k bank loan
- Fans are covering the gap as Rourke fights to keep his longtime rental
The campaign stays open until the $100,000 goal is met, giving the star a lifeline to stay housed while rebuilding finances.
