Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke has been spotted on a late-night jog in Los Angeles, just weeks after being evicted from his long-term Hollywood residence. The 73-year-old was seen not far from his new apartment in the city's Koreatown district on Sunday night.
Eviction and a New Chapter in Koreatown
The sighting comes in the wake of Rourke's eviction on December 22nd from the Hollywood home he had occupied for years. Dressed in a green camouflage zip-up hoodie, a black beanie, and baggy blue jeans, the retired boxer cut a solitary figure during his evening run. This move to a more modest Koreatown apartment marks a significant downsize for the once A-list star.
Canine Companion Faces Costly Health Battle
The actor's personal struggles were compounded by news concerning his beloved dog. Just two days before his jog was seen, it was reported by TMZ that Rourke's small-breed dog, Ivan, requires heart surgery costing $10,000. There is also a potential need for a second procedure, which could set the actor back a further $6,000 to $8,000.
Rourke's affection for his canine friends is well-known. In a memorable moment while accepting the Golden Globe for Best Actor in 2009 for The Wrestler, he thanked his dogs, stating: "I'd like to thank all my dogs... sometimes when a man's alone, that's all you got is your dog. And they've meant the world to me."
GoFundMe Campaign Sparks Controversy and Refunds
In response to his financial and housing troubles, a GoFundMe campaign was set up by his manager, Kimberly Hines, and his assistant, Dima. The page aimed to cover the $59,100 in unpaid rent that led to his eviction and astonishingly raised over $100,000 from concerned fans and strangers.
However, Rourke was furious and publicly disowned the fundraiser. He took to Instagram, telling his 497,000 followers he was "so upset and embarrassed about the 'scam'". He insisted he would never ask strangers for money and that his attorney was working to ensure all donors were refunded promptly.
A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed to TMZ that the campaign was deleted and that 100% of donations were refunded the Wednesday prior to their statement. Hines explained to The Hollywood Reporter that Rourke may not have fully understood the campaign's nature, which then escalated into a "media frenzy".
Despite the turmoil, there appears to be a professional silver lining. Hines noted that Rourke has received four new movie offers in the wake of the publicity, stating that "nobody's been calling him for a long time" prior to this.
The actor's next confirmed role is in the sports rom-com The Roaring Game, where he will portray The Plow King opposite former NFL star Rob Gronkowski. The film is scheduled for a limited US theatrical release on February 6.
Mickey Rourke, best known for iconic roles in films like 9½ Weeks, Sin City, and Iron Man 2, has spoken in the past about being blacklisted by Hollywood for years before his career resurgence.
