Actor Mickey Rourke had a turbulent start to the year. However, things may be looking brighter for him now. In a new interview, Rourke, known for his role in “The Wrestler,” praised his therapist for helping him identify personal problems that have deeply affected him over the years. He said their tough-love approach has played a key role in his growth.
Mickey Rourke Says ‘Years Of Therapy’ Have Helped Him Get Back On The Right Path
Speaking with TMZ in late March 2026, Rourke told the outlet that he was returning to the states after spending some time away working on a new project.
Rourke expressed his gratitude for work, noting that he’s been allowed to slowly return to the industry since learning to “behave myself.”
The actor noted that he hasn’t trashed any hotel rooms as of late, and noted the “years of therapy” it took to get him to a better place.
Mickey Rourke Says His Therapist Once Slammed Him Over His Refusal To Take ‘Accountability’
Rourke explained that his therapist once told him he doesn’t have “an ounce of accountability or concern for repercussions in your whole DNA.”
The 73-year-old said it took longer than he had hoped to grow, calling the challenges he’s faced “more like a journey” than anything else.
While Rourke is moving forward in his life, he said that some of his lowest moments led him to reflect and decide to change. “I’m starting over again,” he said. “Cause the only person I have to blame for what happened to me is me.”
Mickey Rourke Was Reportedly Facing Eviction
Rourke’s latest statements come months after the actor made headlines after reportedly being served an eviction notice.
According to The Blast, Rourke was told to pay nearly $60,000 in back rent in December 2025 or be forced to vacate the Los Angeles property.
Rourke reportedly began renting the property in March 2025 for $5,200 per month, before the price increased to $7,000 per month.
Following news of Rourke’s alleged financial woes, a GoFundMe was created for the controversial public figure, raising over $100,000 in a short period.
“This fundraiser is being created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing-related expenses and prevent that from happening,” the fundraiser’s description explained. “Mickey Rourke is an icon—but his trajectory, as painful as it is, is also a deeply human one. It is the story of someone who gave everything to his work, took real risks, and paid real costs.”
Rouke Claps Back At GoFundMe, Claims He Was Not Behind It, And Blasts Those In Charge
Despite the fundraiser passing the six-figure mark, Rourke was not pleased with the efforts and slammed it as “humiliating” in a social media video.
“That’s not me, okay?” he said. “I’d rather, if I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for no f-cking charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my [butt] and pull the trigger.”
Rourke explained that he was too prideful to ask for money, saying, “That’s not my style.”
“There’s only one person I can think of that would do such a thing, and I hope it’s not the person I’m thinking about. It’s humiliating,” he added.
Days later, Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines, came forward and took responsibility for the GoFundMe, claiming she created the page with the actor’s full support.
“We said, ‘Mickey, there’s some people that want to help you out.’ He’s like, ‘Okay, great.’ I don’t think he understood, and now it’s taken on this media frenzy, and he flipped out,” Hines said. “Nobody’s trying to grift Mickey. I want him working. I don’t want him doing a GoFundMe.”
Hines explained that she told Rourke it was important to accept the help, especially because she was facing financial challenges of her own from supporting him.
“He should probably take this help, because unless he goes back to work, I can only finance him for so long. I’m not a Getty. I’m a working woman,” Hines finished.
Rourke Removed From ‘Big Brother’ House Following Bizarre Interaction With Jojo Siwa
In the summer of 2025, Rourke faced even more backlash after being removed from the “Celebrity Big Brother” house after using controversial language with Jojo Siwa.
“Mickey Rourke has agreed to leave the Celebrity Big Brother House this evening following a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behavior,” a “Big Brother” spokesperson said, per The Blast.
Before his removal, Rourke made headlines after speaking with Siwa, a former “Dance Moms” star, about her sexuality, saying, “If I stay [in the house] longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”
At another point in the show, Rourke was heard telling his co-stars that he would “vote the lesbian out real quick,” referring to Siwa.
On the show, Rourke apologized for his comments and claimed he did not have “dishonorable intentions.”
