The saga of Mickey Rourke’s latest financial woes has taken another bizarre turn as the actor posted a video denouncing a GoFundMe set up in his name by his longtime manager, allegedly with his permission.
The fundraiser, launched early Sunday morning, is nearing its goal of $100,000 — money intended to help Rourke stay in his home after receiving an eviction notice for late rent of $60,000.
Sitting with his beloved rescue dog Lucky on his lap, a distraught Rourke, dressed in a fuchsia V-neck T-shirt and straw cowboy hat, addresses his nearly 500,000 Instagram followers.
“Something happened that I’m really frustrated and confused and don’t understand,” says Rourke, 73. “Someone set up some sort of foundation or fund so I could donate money. A charity.
“And that’s not me. If I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for handouts. I’d rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger,” he continues. “Whoever did this, I don’t know why they did it. I wouldn’t know what a GoFundMe is in a million years.”
As reported exclusively by The Hollywood ReporterThe account was created by Liya-Joelle Jones, assistant to Kimberly Hines, Rourke’s manager for a decade. Both Hines and Jones said THR that the GoFundMe was created “with Mickey’s permission.”
However, Rourke now denies knowing who created the fundraiser and insists he will never turn to fans for financial help, an act of desperation he describes as “humiliating”.
Rourke candidly admits that he failed to maintain his finances throughout his career, with online estimates placing his net worth at its peak at $5 million.
“I did a terrible job managing my career. I wasn’t very diplomatic. I had to go through 20 years of therapy to get over it. But I’m not that person anymore. … I’m not that wild man that I was 20 years ago,” he concedes.
Rourke goes on to pledge to contact his longtime attorney, Bill Sobel, and return all money donated to the GoFundMe by fans.
“I would never ask strangers or fans for a nickel,” Rourke says. “That’s not my style. You ask anyone who knows me. It’s humiliating and fucking embarrassing…I want you to get your money back. Everything will pass.”
“I can only think of one person who would do such a thing. I hope it’s not her I’m thinking of,” he said.
THR could not reach Rourke, Hines, Jones or Sobel for comment.
