Actor Mickey Rourke has publicly denied any involvement in an online fundraiser that was reportedly set up to cover Ksh 7 million in alleged rent arrears for his Los Angeles residence.
Rourke addressed the matter in a video posted on social media, responding to reports that his management team had launched the fundraiser with his supposed consent after he was allegedly threatened with eviction.
“Something’s come up that … I’m really frustrated, confused, and I don’t understand … Somebody set up some kind of foundation or fund for me, to donate money, like charity. And that’s not me, OK? If I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for any,” Rourke said.
He urged fans not to contribute, emphasizing that he would never solicit donations:
“I’m not the wild man I was 20 years ago. This thing is very embarrassing … Don’t give any money, and if you gave money, get it back. It’s really humiliating. They say it’s up to Ksh13M. I wouldn’t take a nickel of charity from anybody.”
Rourke added that he had no knowledge of GoFundMe platforms, stating:
“Whoever did this … I don’t know why they did it. I wouldn’t know what a GoFund foundation is in a million years.”
The GoFundMe page in question was reportedly created on Sunday by Liya-Joelle Jones, assistant to Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines. Jones stated that the fundraiser was “created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening.”
Hines told Deadline that the initiative was meant as a goodwill gesture to support Rourke amid an eviction notice and was not intended to be malicious. She confirmed that no funds had been distributed and that donations would be returned if Rourke declined the fundraiser.
Rourke also indicated that he is currently in a dispute with his landlord over the property’s condition. Hines previously said that the actor was temporarily residing in a hotel after receiving the eviction notice for a historic Los Angeles property once occupied by author Raymond Chandler.
Reflecting on his stance, Rourke said:
“You pay the price for your past. I don’t need anybody’s money. I wouldn’t do it this way, I got too much pride, man. It ain’t my style.”
