Actor Mickey Rourke has lost an eviction case and is required to vacate his Los Angeles rental home after failing to pay nearly $60,000 in back rent. A judge issued a default ruling on Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court in favor of Rourke’s landlord, Eric Goldie, granting possession of the property and terminating the rental agreement.
A History of Non-Payment
Court documents indicate Rourke was served a three-day notice to pay the $7,000 monthly rent or leave the premises on December 18th. When he failed to comply, an eviction complaint was filed on December 29th. The complaint alleged $59,100 in unpaid rent.
Despite the eviction proceedings, Rourke’s management team initiated a GoFundMe campaign in January to raise funds to keep him housed. The campaign quickly garnered over $100,000 from approximately 2,700 donors.
Rourke Rejects Assistance
Rourke publicly denounced the GoFundMe campaign as “humiliating” in a video posted to his Instagram account on January 5th. He stated he would rather capture drastic measures than accept charity and urged donors to seek refunds. He cited issues with the property, including the presence of rodents and structural damage, as reasons for withholding rent.
Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines, stated she and her assistant had discussed the GoFundMe with Rourke’s assistant and received approval to proceed. Hines also indicated she had secured an apartment for Rourke in Koreatown, citing severe water damage and black mold in the Beverly Grove home.
An attorney representing the landlord did not respond to requests for comment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the eviction ruling?
The eviction ruling stemmed from Mickey Rourke’s failure to pay approximately $59,100 in back rent on his $7,000-a-month rental property, resulting in a default judgment by the Los Angeles County Superior Court in favor of the landlord, Eric Goldie.
How did fans attempt to assist Rourke?
Fans launched a GoFundMe campaign coordinated by Rourke’s management team, raising over $100,000 within three days to help cover the unpaid rent and keep him in his home.
Why did Rourke refuse the funds raised by fans?
Rourke publicly stated that accepting the GoFundMe money would be “humiliating” and he would rather take other measures than accept charity. He also cited issues with the condition of the rental property as a reason for not paying rent.
What does the future hold for an actor facing eviction after a successful career?
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