Mickey Rourke publicly expressed intense frustration and anger toward his manager, Kimberly Hines, after she launched a $100,000 GoFundMe campaign to help him avoid eviction from his Los Angeles home. The 73-year-old actor, amid ongoing financial struggles and eviction proceedings, denounced the fundraiser and vowed to “get even” with the person running his career during a heated confrontation outside a popular local eatery.
Actor’s Public Outburst Targets Manager and Landlords
Rourke’s dispute with Hines came into the spotlight as he was seen leaving Joe’s Pizza in Los Angeles, where he unleashed a string of profanities against his manager for starting the crowdfunding initiative without his informed approval. The campaign was originally meant to raise funds to cover his outstanding rent and prevent eviction but was met with sharp rejection by the actor.
Speaking bluntly, Rourke said,
“That was some lady who worked for me did that s***. I, you know, I know nothing. I’m embarrassed about it and I’m really pissed off about it, and one thing about me. I’ll get even over it, all right, but it’s not the right time, I’m sure.”
His comments reflected deep betrayal and anger at being kept out of critical decisions about his own affairs.
His dissatisfaction extended beyond his management to his landlords, whom he harshly criticized as “scumbags” responsible for deteriorating living conditions. Rourke detailed issues like non-functional plumbing, lack of heat, infestations of rodents, and rotten floors in the nearly century-old house. Complaining about the renters’ plight, he said,
“The house was built in the late twenties, and so the floor was all rotten, like under the sink, so the mice and rats will come up. And it’s like, I don’t want to live like this, you know.”
Previously, the property had been better maintained when an “old Mexican lady” owned it, but new owners raised the rent while neglecting repairs.
He concluded his tirade on the landlords with a profane dismissal, stating,
“Yeah, you know what they can do? They can go f*** each other. Hey, get a hotel room and f*** each other.”
Behind the Feud: The Crowdfunding Controversy
The $100,000 GoFundMe, created to address Rourke’s $59,100 in unpaid rent, was launched on January 4 by Liya-Joelle Jones, an assistant to manager Kimberly Hines. Jones claimed the fundraiser was initiated with Rourke’s full permission, and within two days the campaign reached its goal and even exceeded it slightly.
Despite this, Rourke publicly denied knowing about the fundraiser and called such charity “humiliating.” He posted an Instagram video expressing confusion and frustration, saying,
“If I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for no f*****g charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my a** and pull the trigger.”
He also remarked,
“I wouldn’t know what a GoFundMe foundation is in a million years. My life is very simple, I wouldn’t go to outside sources like that.”
The actor regarded the campaign as “embarrassing” and urged those who had donated to request refunds.
In contrast, Hines maintained the GoFundMe was launched with the actor’s awareness, though she admitted he may not have fully comprehended the implications. She told The Hollywood Reporter:
“We said, Mickey, there’s some people that want to help you out. He’s like, Okay, great. I don’t think he understood, and now it’s taken on this media frenzy, and he flipped out.”
She emphasized,
“Nobody’s trying to grift Mickey. I want him working. I don’t want him doing a GoFundMe.”
Following the backlash, Hines announced plans to return the donated funds to contributors. She urged the actor to recognize those who genuinely want to assist him and insisted that returning to work would help Rourke regain his footing.
Financial Difficulties Amid Selective Career Choices
Despite facing eviction and reportedly living “paycheck-to-paycheck,” Rourke remains selective about the projects he pursues, holding out for work that matches his former A-list status. His manager revealed he will only consider offers that pay around $200,000 per day and involve leading actors and directors of similar caliber to his previous collaborations.
In recent weeks, Hines stated that she has received multiple offers for Rourke, ranging from indie films to photoshoots and live appearances. She confirmed,
“Just in the last two days I’ve received six offers for the actor.”
However, the actor’s pride and standards appear to limit his willingness to accept these opportunities.
At the moment, Rourke is staying in a West Hollywood hotel with his three dogs but is expected to move into a new apartment in Los Angeles soon. Despite the financial pressure, he has not eased his stance on accepting external funds, ascribing to a principle of independence and self-reliance.
Career Struggles and Past Triumphs
Mickey Rourke’s career has experienced dramatic ups and downs over the decades. He was once lauded as one of Hollywood’s most compelling leading men during the 1980s and early ’90s, known for his intense and raw performances. Films like 9½ Weeks (1986), Angel Heart (1987), and Sin City (2005) cemented his reputation, and he earned particular acclaim playing the alcoholic poet Charles Bukowski’s alter ego in the cult film Barfly (1987).
The actor’s career faltered after he left Hollywood to pursue professional boxing, which led to multiple facial injuries requiring reconstructive surgeries. He admitted he had a “really terrible job” managing his career and acknowledged his notoriously short temper damaged professional relationships.
Rourke staged a notable career resurgence in 2008 with his role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, earning an Academy Award nomination, a Golden Globe win, and a BAFTA award. He followed that with parts in Iron Man 2 (2010) and The Expendables (2010), but his career momentum faded again.
Legal Battle and Eviction Proceedings
Rourke has been embroiled in a legal dispute over unpaid rent on his Los Angeles residence. He signed a lease agreeing to pay $5,200 per month in March 2025 but reportedly fell behind, accumulating $59,100 in arrears. On December 18, he received a three-day notice to pay or face eviction, as documented in a legal complaint filed by landlord Eric T. Goldie.
Goldie’s complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on December 29, alleges Rourke failed to comply with the eviction demands and seeks unpaid rent, legal costs, and termination of the lease agreement. After the notice was delivered, two men were observed removing Rourke’s belongings from the property earlier this month.
Actor’s Reflection on Personal Challenges
Rourke has candidly discussed how his personal and professional difficulties, including anger issues and health setbacks, have shaped his trajectory. In an interview with The Sun, he attributed his failure to secure meaningful film roles to his short fuse and abrasiveness, admitting,
“I’ve made mistakes, many, I have nobody to blame for my ship sinking except myself.”
He also revealed enduring over 20 years of therapy to address emotional damage from earlier life experiences and expressed regret for his damaged career management. Rourke’s physical appearance has drawn public curiosity as fans speculate whether changes stem from his boxing injuries or surgical complications, which he has acknowledged.
Next Steps Amid Uncertainty
With his public dispute against his manager and landlords intensifying, Mickey Rourke faces a precarious crossroads. His rejection of charity and selective work approach signal a stubborn resolve to rebuild on his terms, despite his financial and legal challenges. His manager’s effort to align him with quality projects and stabilize his housing situation may provide a path forward, but tension between them raises questions about his support system’s cohesiveness.
Rourke’s declaration that he will involve his lawyer regarding the GoFundMe controversy suggests forthcoming legal maneuvering. Meanwhile, the return of donations and upcoming move to a new apartment could mark steps toward regaining stability. The unfolding situation continues to highlight the difficulties faced by aging actors navigating unpredictable careers and personal hardships in Hollywood’s spotlight.
