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 on “The Wrestler,” praised his therapist for helping him identify personal issues that have deeply affected him over the years. He said their tough, loving approach played a key role in his growth.
Mickey Rourke says ‘years of therapy’ helped him get back on track
Speaking to TMZ in late March 2026, Rourke told the outlet that he was returning to the United States after spending some time working on a new project.
Rourke expressed gratitude for his work, noting that he has been allowed to slowly return to the industry since learning to “behave properly.”
The actor noted that he hasn’t trashed any hotel rooms lately and highlighted the “years of therapy” it took for him to get to a better place.
Mickey Rourke says his therapist once criticized him for refusing to take ‘responsibility’
Rourke explained that his therapist once told him that he had “not an ounce of responsibility or concern for repercussions in all of his DNA.”
The 73-year-old said it took him longer than expected to grow up, calling the challenges he faced “more of a journey” than anything else.
As Rourke moves forward in his life, he said some of his lowest moments have caused him to reflect and decide to change. “I’m starting again,” he said. “Because the only person I have to blame for what happened to me is me.”
Mickey Rourke reportedly threatened with expulsion
Rourke’s latest statements come months after the actor made headlines after receiving an eviction notice.
According to The Blast, Rourke would have had to pay nearly $60,000 in back rent by December 2025 or be forced out of 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 troubles, a GoFundMe was created for the controversial public figure, raising over $100,000 in a short time.
“This fundraiser is created with Mickey’s full permission to help cover immediate housing expenses and prevent this from happening,” the fundraiser description explains. “Mickey Rourke is an icon, but his journey, as painful as it was, is also deeply human. It’s the story of someone who gave everything for his work, took real risks and paid real costs.”
Rouke applauds GoFundMe, says he wasn’t behind it, blasts those responsible
Although the fundraiser topped the six-figure mark, Rourke was unhappy with the efforts and called it “humiliating” in a social media video.
“It’s not me, okay?” he said. “I would prefer that if I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for fucking charity. I’d rather put a gun in my fist.” [butt] and pull the trigger.
Rourke explained that he was too proud to ask for money, saying, “It’s not my style.”
“I can only think of one person who would do something like that, and I hope it’s not her I’m thinking of. It’s humiliating,” he added.
Days later, Rourke’s manager, Kimberly Hines, came forward and took responsibility for the GoFundMe, saying she created the page with the actor’s full support.
“We said, ‘Mickey, there are people who want to help you.’ He says, “Okay, great. “I don’t think he understood, and now, in the face of this media frenzy, he lost his temper,” Hines said. “No one is trying to rip off Mickey. I want him to work. I don’t want him to do a GoFundMe.”
Hines said she told Rourke it was important to accept the help, especially because she herself was facing financial challenges supporting him.
“He should probably take this help, because unless he goes back to work, I’ll only be able to fund 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
Mickey Rourke called out by JoJo Siwa for homophobic language against him on Celebrity Big Brother.
He then apologized to her for his “short circuit”.
pic.twitter.com/kJWNodFQOH– Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 10, 2025
In the summer of 2025, Rourke faced even more backlash after being kicked out of 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 the subsequent use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behavior,” a “Big Brother” spokesperson said, according to The Blast.
Before his firing, Rourke made headlines after speaking with Siwa, a former “Dance Moms” star, about his sexuality, saying, “If I stay [in the house] more than four days, you will no longer be gay.
At another point in the series, Rourke was heard telling his co-stars that he would “vote out the lesbian real quick”, referring to Siwa.
On the show, Rourke apologized for his comments and said he had no “dishonorable intentions.”
