Mickey Rourke Denounces $100K+ Fundraiser as “Scam,” Demands Return of Donations
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A GoFundMe campaign launched to assist actor Mickey Rourke with unpaid rent has been shut down at the actor’s insistence, with Rourke vehemently denouncing the effort as an “embarrassing” and “vicious cruel lie.”
Rourke, 73, is demanding the return of over $100,000 raised in just two days, claiming he never authorized the fundraiser and does not need financial assistance from fans. The controversy highlights a complex situation involving the actor’s financial difficulties, his manager’s intervention, and a surge of opportunistic campaigns leveraging his name on crowdfunding platforms.
The initial GoFundMe campaign was created to help Rourke avoid eviction due to approximately $60,000 in unpaid rent. The effort gained rapid traction, exceeding its goal and raising over $100,000 before being paused. Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines, initially expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, stating in a message to donors, “Thank you so much for your generosity and for standing with Mickey during this time.”
However, Rourke quickly rejected the donations, publicly calling the fundraiser “humiliating” and “really f— embarrassing” in a video posted last week. “I wouldn’t know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years,” he stated, adding, “My life is very simple and I don’t go to outside sources like that.” He emphasized that he would “never ask strangers or fans for a nickel. That’s not my style.”
Manager Claims Prior Knowledge, Actor Disputes
The situation is further complicated by conflicting accounts regarding Rourke’s awareness of the fundraiser. Hines asserts she initiated the campaign to cover Rourke’s relocation expenses – first to a hotel, and then to an apartment in Koreatown – and that the actor was informed of the plan. According to Hines, she and her assistant discussed the idea with Rourke’s assistant before launching the campaign, and both teams approved the effort.
“Nobody’s trying to grift Mickey. I want him working. I don’t want him doing a GoFundMe,” Hines told The Hollywood Reporter on January 6. She also noted a positive outcome from the publicity, stating that Rourke has received four movie offers since the fundraiser gained attention, a welcome development after a period of inactivity.
Rourke, however, maintains he was unaware of the fundraiser and vehemently denies authorizing it. He reiterated his desire for donors to receive their money back, stating on Instagram that his attorney is “doing everything in his power” to facilitate refunds.
Exploitation of Rourke’s Situation on GoFundMe
The original GoFundMe campaign has been removed, but a search for “Mickey Rourke” on the platform on Friday morning revealed over a dozen other campaigns capitalizing on the actor’s high-profile situation. These campaigns appear to be unrelated to Rourke’s needs and are likely attempts to exploit the publicity surrounding the initial fundraiser.
Rourke expressed gratitude to friends who reached out after seeing reports of the alleged financial hardship, including UFC boss Dana White and fighter Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. He emphasized his current stability, stating in a January 6 video, “I’m grateful for what I have. I’ve got a roof over my head, I’ve got food to eat. … Everything’s OK.”
The actor, known for his roles in films like “Barfly,” “Angel Heart,” and his Oscar-nominated performance in “The Wrestler,” concluded his message with a firm request: “Just get your money back, please. I don’t need anybody’s money, and I wouldn’t do it this way. I’ve got too much pride. This ain’t my style.”
