Mickey Rourke’s ongoing financial issues have resulted in a friend setting up a GoFundMe page for to cover the unpaid rent on his Los Angeles home.

Late last year, the actor was sued by his landlord for falling nearly $60,000 (£44,673) behind in rent. Yesterday (January 4), a friend of the star, Liya-Joelle Jones, started a fundraising campaign to help the actor, with a target of $100,000 (£74,454). At the time of writing, just under half that amount had been raised in donations.

“Today, Mickey is facing a very real and urgent situation: the threat of eviction from his home,” the campaign page reads. “This fundraiser is being created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening.”

It continued to say that fame did not “protect against hardship” nor did “talent” guarantee financial stability. “What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing, and the chance to regain his footing,” it continued. “The goal is simple: to give Mickey 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.

“Any donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference. And if you’re not able to contribute, sharing this page is a huge help and deeply appreciated. Thank you so much for your kindness, compassion, and support.”

Mickey Rourke was considered one of the biggest stars in Hollywood during the 1980s, thanks to hits such as Diner, 9 ½ Weeks, and Angel Heart. He would take a hiatus from acting in the early ‘90s to become a boxer, returning to the screen later in the decade in small roles.

In the 2000s, he would enjoy a comeback thanks to hits like Sin City and an Oscar-nominated performance in drama The Wrestler. The comeback would see him appear in blockbusters such as Iron Man 2 and The Expendables, before spending much of the last decade in lower budget projects.

In April, he joined the cast of Celebrity Big Brother UK, where he caused controversy by making homophobic and aggressive remarks toward fellow housemates. He left the show prematurely a week after entering, and apologised publicly for his actions.

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