Mickey Rourke has spoken out against a GoFundMe page that was established in his name.
On Sunday, December 4, a fundraiser was launched, claiming Rourke faced eviction due to nearly $60,000 in unpaid rent, leading to his landlord’s actions.
Kimberley Hines, the assistant to Rourke’s manager, initiated the fundraiser, stating in the bio that it was done with his ‘full permission.’
The bio elaborated: “Mickey is facing a very real and urgent situation: the threat of eviction from his home. This fundraiser is being created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening.”
Within 48 hours, the fundraiser exceeded its target, raising over $102,000 for the 73-year-old actor.
Rourke has now responded to the GoFundMe page, calling it ‘humiliating’ and urging his followers not to contribute.
In a detailed video on Instagram, Rourke stated: “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 no f**king charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my a** and pull the trigger.”
He continued: “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 $100,000. I wouldn’t take a f**king nickel of charity from anybody.”
Although Rourke didn’t initiate the page, his manager, Hines, confirmed that her assistant set it up with his prior knowledge.
Hines also affirmed the page’s legitimacy and stated that any funds collected would go to the actor if he chooses to accept them.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she stated: “The GoFundMe was done for Mickey. That money’s going to Mickey. It’s not going to me. And if Mickey doesn’t want this money now and decides, ‘I don’t want help, it’s like it’s charity,’ the money will be returned.
“He doesn’t even have a key to his house. We had to get movers there, get all his clothing out, organize a new apartment for him, get a storage shed. All of this is being paid for by his management team, which is me.”
“Nobody’s trying to grift Mickey,” Hines added. “I want him working. I don’t want him doing a GoFundMe. The good thing about this is that he got four movie offers since yesterday.
“People are emailing him movie offers now, which is great because nobody’s been calling him for a long time.”
Further comments from Hines have been sought for clarification.