Mickey Rourke, once Hollywood’s rugged leading man, looked nearly unrecognizable as he stepped out of his Los Angeles home on New Year’s Day.
The 73-year-old actor appeared frail and noticeably bald while picking up a Taco Bell delivery, raising eyebrows over his personal and financial struggles.
Rourke’s public outing comes amid reports that he may soon be evicted from the Beverly Grove property he has been renting since March 2025 due to allegedly unpaid rent totaling nearly $60,000.
Legal Documents Reveal Alleged $59,100 Back Rent
Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail reveal that Rourke, whose real name is Philip Rourke Jr., was issued a three-day notice on December 18 to pay overdue rent or vacate the home.
Rourke originally signed a lease for the three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house at $5,200 per month.
According to the complaint filed by landlord Eric T. Goldie, the rent was later increased to $7,000 beginning in his second month.
The landlord is also seeking attorney fees and the termination of the lease, which could prevent Rourke from remaining in the home even if he pays the overdue balance.
Historic Beverly Grove Home Tied to Raymond Chandler
The property itself has a bit of Hollywood history.
Built in 1926, the house was once occupied by influential crime novelist Raymond Chandler in the 1940s.
Located just south of West Hollywood, it sits near the Grove outdoor shopping center and the famous Farmer’s Market, placing Rourke in one of Los Angeles’ most desirable neighborhoods.
From Heartthrob to Troubled Star
Rourke’s appearance at the start of 2026 is a far cry from his days as a Hollywood heartthrob.
He earned fame in films such as Diner, Rumble Fish, 9 1/2 Weeks, and Angel Heart, establishing himself as one of the most in-demand leading men of the 1980s.
By the early 1990s, however, a series of underperforming films pushed him out of the spotlight, and he returned to his earlier love of boxing.
The physically punishing sport left him with serious injuries, reconstructive surgeries, and a dramatically changed appearance, closing the door on any return to romantic lead status.
Career Comeback and Later Roles
Despite these setbacks, Rourke staged a major comeback in 2008 with Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, where he played a washed-up professional wrestler grappling with a failing career and a strained relationship with his daughter.
His performance won critical acclaim, earning him a BAFTA, Golden Globe, and an Oscar nomination.
Following that success, Rourke played Whiplash in Iron Man 2, but most of his subsequent roles have been in smaller, low-budget films that received limited attention.
Recent Controversies and Personal Struggles
Rourke has also faced public scrutiny for his personal behavior.
In 2025, he was removed from the Celebrity Big Brother house after allegedly making homophobic comments toward fellow contestant JoJo Siwa, sparking widespread criticism and social media backlash.
On top of these controversies, the alleged unpaid rent and looming eviction from his Los Angeles home have added another layer of difficulty to the actor’s life, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebratory New Year.
A Rare Public Sighting
On January 1, Rourke was spotted wearing a striped sweater, a rosary around his neck, and no shoes, appearing subdued and frail.
Fans and passersby were struck by how different he looked from the confident and charismatic figure who once dominated Hollywood screens.
While the future remains uncertain for the former star, his rare outing highlights both the enduring public fascination with Rourke and the very human struggles behind his once-glamorous persona.
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