Legendary '80s Star Loses LA Apartment After Rent Standoff

Mickey Rourke claims rodent issues and maintenance problems led him to stop paying $60,000 in rent before being evicted.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Actor and boxing legend Mickey Rourke has lost his Los Angeles apartment after a judge ruled in favor of his landlord. Rourke claims he stopped paying the roughly $60,000 in rent he owed due to ongoing issues with rodents and plumbing problems that the landlord failed to properly address, despite multiple repair requests. The 73-year-old actor distanced himself from a crowdfunding campaign that emerged to help him avoid eviction, saying he'd "rather stick a gun up [his] a** and pull the trigger."

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges some high-profile individuals face in maintaining stable housing, even when they have the financial means to pay rent. It also raises questions about tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, and the impact of unresolved maintenance issues on a renter's ability to continue living in a property.

The details

According to court filings, Rourke owed his landlord approximately $60,000 in unpaid rent before the dispute reached a breaking point. The actor claims he stopped paying rent due to persistent rodent infestations and plumbing problems that the landlord failed to properly address, despite multiple repair requests. Rourke says the living conditions in the apartment became "unacceptable" and that "basic maintenance was never properly handled." The judge ultimately sided with the landlord and ordered Rourke to vacate the property.

  • In early 2026, Rourke was reportedly staying in a West Hollywood hotel with his dog after leaving the apartment.
  • In March 2026, a GoFundMe campaign surfaced online claiming to raise money to help Rourke avoid eviction, which the actor quickly distanced himself from.

The players

Mickey Rourke

A 73-year-old actor and boxing legend who lost his Los Angeles apartment after falling behind on $60,000 in rent.

Rourke's Landlord

The landlord who took legal action against Rourke and was ultimately granted a court order to have him vacate the property.

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What they’re saying

“The reason I stopped paying rent was because the living conditions in the apartment had become unacceptable.”

— Mickey Rourke, Actor (TMZ)

“There were ongoing rodent issues that required multiple visits but were never fully resolved, and the bathroom and plumbing frequently did not work.”

— Mickey Rourke, Actor (TMZ)

“Withholding rent was not a decision I made lightly. I simply could not continue paying for an apartment that was in such poor condition after so many attempts to have these issues corrected.”

— Mickey Rourke, Actor (TMZ)

“I'd rather stick a gun up my a** and pull the trigger.”

— Mickey Rourke (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges some high-profile individuals face in maintaining stable housing, even when they have the financial means to pay rent. It also raises questions about tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, and the impact of unresolved maintenance issues on a renter's ability to continue living in a property.