Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke has launched a furious public attack on a crowdfunding campaign set up in his name, branding it a 'scam' and vowing to return every penny of the over $100,000 raised by well-meaning supporters.
A 'Cruel Embarrassment' and a Demand for Refunds
The 73-year-old star, who faced eviction from his Los Angeles home in late 2025 over nearly $60,000 in unpaid rent, took to Instagram to express his outrage. In a message laden with expletives and written in bold capital letters, Rourke assured his followers that his attorney 'IS DOING EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER' to refund people's money swiftly.
He revealed that more than $90,000 still needs to be returned and insisted that the person behind the fundraiser should not profit. 'THE PERSON WHO PULLED THIS C**P SHOULDN'T GET ONE F*** DOLLAR,' Rourke declared, distancing himself entirely from the initiative.
Pride, Priorities, and Persistent Job Offers
This social media outburst comes amid reports that Rourke is being highly selective about work, despite his financial and housing troubles. His manager, Kimberly Hines, told TMZ that the actor has received multiple job offers recently, including roles in indie films, photoshoots, and personal appearances.
However, Rourke's pride appears to be a significant barrier. Hines stated that the Oscar-nominated actor will only consider work that pays like an A-lister, demanding fees in the range of $200,000 per day. He is also reportedly intent on working only with top-tier actors and directors, a standard from his heyday.
Despite being evicted and reportedly moving from a West Hollywood hotel to a new Los Angeles apartment with his three dogs, Rourke's professional standards remain uncompromising. Hines believes focusing on quality projects will eventually restore his finances and status.
A Tumultuous Career and a Friend in Need
Rourke concluded his Instagram tirade not with talk of money or movies, but with a heartfelt plea for his friend, actor Eric Dane. He asked followers to send 'STRONG PRAYERS' for Dane, who publicly shared his diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in April of last year.
This poignant endnote contrasts with the actor's own turbulent career arc. Once a revered leading man in films like 9½ Weeks and Angel Heart, Rourke's reputation for being difficult and a turn to professional boxing derailed his stardom in the 1990s.
His career was spectacularly revived with 2008's The Wrestler, earning him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe, leading to roles in Iron Man 2 and The Expendables. Yet, momentum once again faded.
The controversial GoFundMe was launched by Liya-Joelle Jones, who claimed to be an assistant to Rourke's manager and said it was created with the actor's 'full permission.' It swiftly hit its $100,000 target. However, Hines later suggested Rourke may not have fully understood the arrangement, telling The Hollywood Reporter the situation triggered a 'media frenzy' that caused the actor to 'flip out.'
