Mickey Rourke, the 73-year-old Oscar-nominated actor from films like The Wrestler and Sin City, received a three-day eviction notice on December 18, 2025, for his Los Angeles bungalow. The notice cited $59,100 in unpaid rent, accumulated over months amid rising costs and irregular income, thrusting the Hollywood veteran into a public financial battle.
Eviction Notice Served
The formal notice launched California’s eviction process, requiring payment or departure within three days. This step signals the start of potential court proceedings, where tenants face displacement if debts remain unsettled. For Rourke, it exposed a mounting crisis tied to housing expenses he could no longer cover.
Rent Surge Strains Finances
Rourke’s monthly rent began at $5,200 in March 2025 for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property. By year’s end, the landlord increased it by $1,800 to $7,000—a 35% jump. The unpaid total of $59,100 equates to roughly nine months of escalating payments, overwhelming the actor’s resources.
Income Instability in Acting
Entertainment careers deliver income in unpredictable bursts linked to roles, not steady salaries. At 73, Rourke struggles to secure consistent high-paying work as opportunities dwindle. Without alternative revenue or ample savings, fixed expenses like rent become unmanageable for many aging performers.
Unauthorized Fundraising and Actor’s Rejection
In early January 2026, Liya-Joelle Jones, an assistant to Rourke’s manager, started a GoFundMe to address Rourke’s rent arrears. The campaign initially claimed to have his approval. Rourke swiftly and publicly rejected it as unauthorized, calling it “humiliating” and “embarrassing,” stating he would never ask strangers or fans for money. Despite raising over $100,000, the actor refused to accept the donations, spotlighting tensions over consent in public appeals.
Broader Industry Vulnerabilities
Rourke’s plight mirrors challenges for other Hollywood figures facing bankruptcy or eviction despite past success. Ageism limits roles for older actors, favoring younger talent, while shifts to streaming disrupt traditional earnings. California tenant laws offer notice periods and cure options, yet they falter without funds to pay arrears, leaving gaps in aid for those like Rourke. Landlords, too, bear losses from prolonged nonpayment, often resorting to eviction as a final measure.
The case raises questions about support systems for veteran entertainers. Crowdfunding provides relief for some but risks dignity when launched without permission, blurring lines between aid and intrusion. Rourke’s outcome—whether through payment, new roles, or relocation—remains pending, as does any effect on his reputation. This episode underscores Hollywood’s fragile safety nets, prompting scrutiny of how the industry aids its seniors amid volatile finances and evolving markets.
Sources:
“Actor Mickey Rourke Faces Eviction from L.A. Home Over $60K in Unpaid Rent.” Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec 2025.
“Mickey Rourke Served with Notice to Pay $59,100 in Back Rent or Vacate Home Within 3 Days.” People, 1 Jan 2026.
“Mickey Rourke Denies He Set Up GoFundMe: ‘Don’t Need the Money.’” Variety, 6 Jan 2026.
“Mickey Rourke’s Manager Reveals Details Behind Actor’s GoFundMe Campaign.” The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan 2026.