A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for Mickey Rourke, who is facing being evicted from his home in Los Angeles as he owes more than $59,100 in past-due rent, according to a recent legal filing.
Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and business associate of the Oscar-nominated star of The Wrestler, 73, put together the online fundraiser with the actor's full permission, a statement on the GoFundMe read.
The fundraiser went live online early Sunday with the title 'Support Mickey to Prevent Eviction,' with an adjacent caption playing up the entertainer's decades in Hollywood in hopes of persuading potential donors to contribute in his reported time of need.
'Mickey gave audiences performances that felt lived-in, not performed, and left a permanent mark on American film culture,' Jones wrote, noting his appearances in motion pictures such as Diner, Rumble Fish and 9½ Weeks.
Jones explained that Rourke 'is facing a very real and urgent situation' in the form of 'the threat of eviction from his home' as he deals with financial difficulties, according to the post.
Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Rourke for further comment on this story.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for Mickey Rourke, 73, who according to the post is facing being evicted from his home in LA as he owes more than $59,100 in past due rent.
Said Jones: 'Fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability.'
'What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing, and the chance to regain his footing.'
Jones said that the aim of the fundraising effort for Rourke was to provide him with 'stability and peace of mind during an extremely stressful time - so he can stay in his home and have the space to get back on his feet.'
The Go Fund Me comes a month after a landlord demanded Rourke settle up $59,100 in unpaid rent - or leave the domicile immediately, according to documents reviewed by Daily Mail.
The Angel Heart actor on December 18 was presented with three-day notice to pay or leave, according to a legal complaint from plaintiff Eric T. Goldie.
Rourke, whose full name is Philip Rourke Jr., has resided in the three-bedroom Southern California home since March 30, at which time he inked a lease agreeing to pay monthly rent of $5,200.
Goldie said in the legal complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court December 29, that the actor has 'failed to comply with the requirements of' the order he was given to settle up or move out.
Goldie also asked the court to force the actor to cover the legal costs he spent in trying to recoup the rent; and for Rourke to forfeit the remainder of the rental agreement.
Jones told The Hollywood Reporter that she was moved by the early returns for the pledge drive for the Iron Man 2 actor.
'Mickey is going through a very difficult time right now, and it's been incredibly touching to see how many people care about him and want to help,' said Jones.
The fundraiser had garnered nearly $24,000 from the first 522 donors as of Sunday evening.
Rourke recently made headlines amid a controversial exit from the reality show Celebrity Big Brother in connection with 'unacceptable language and behavior' he displayed toward fellow resident JoJo Siwa, alluding to the star’s sexuality.
Rourke's manager Kimberly Hines told People in a statement last April that Celebrity Big Brother producers 'were fully aware of both [Rourke's] public persona and how it aligned with his Hollywood rebel image' prior to booking him to appear on the reality series.
Rourke was chosen for the show for his 'explosive, controversial and attention-grabbing' persona, Hines said, adding, 'That's exactly what [the show] got, and more.'