Mickey Rourke has spoken out strongly after discovering a GoFundMe page raising money in his name, insisting he had nothing to do with it and asking supporters to immediately reclaim their donations.
In a blunt, emotional video shared on Instagram, the Oscar-nominated actor made it clear that the fundraiser — which claims to help him avoid eviction — was created without his consent. Visibly frustrated and confused, Rourke said he would never ask strangers or fans for money and found the situation deeply embarrassing.
“That’s not me”
Holding his dog and addressing followers directly, Rourke stressed that the donation drive was not authorised by him in any way. He said he doesn’t understand crowdfunding platforms and has never sought help through public fundraising.
He urged anyone who had contributed to the page to stop donating and request refunds, repeating that he does not need or want the money.
The fundraiser and why it spread
The GoFundMe page, which was set up by third parties, claims Rourke fell into financial hardship after stepping away from acting for professional boxing, leaving him with lasting physical and emotional struggles. It also suggests the industry abandoned him after years of success.
The page has raised nearly $100,000, with several donors describing Rourke as a film legend deserving support during difficult times. None of those claims, however, were made or endorsed by the actor himself.
Rourke addresses his financial situation
While rejecting the fundraiser outright, Rourke did acknowledge recent challenges. He revealed that COVID disruptions and the writers’ strike impacted his income, and that he had issues with a rental property that worsened over time. In December, he was reportedly served a notice over unpaid rent.
Still, Rourke reassured fans that he is not homeless, has food to eat, and currently has a roof over his head. Pride, he said, has always stopped him from asking others for financial help.
He also confirmed that he plans to involve his lawyer to find out who created the fundraiser and why.
A career that shaped an era
Rourke rose to prominence in the early 1980s with films like Rumble Fish, 9½ Weeks, Angel Heart, and Barfly, before later career highlights in Man on Fire, Sin City, and The Wrestler, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Despite personal and professional ups and downs, Rourke remains a cult figure — a fact reflected in the emotional messages left by donors, even as he rejects their financial support.
Final words
Mickey Rourke’s message was unmistakable: the GoFundMe does not represent him, and he wants no part of it. While grateful for the concern and affection from fans, he insists dignity matters more than donations — and that this is not how he chooses to face hardship.
