As Mickey Rourke found out just the other day, that’s not always an easy path to walk. In response, someone created a fundraising request in his name without his permission. It was the continuing brilliance of an enterprising young assistant from his management entourage that produced the appeal. Consequently, Rourke has gone public to deny any knowledge of the effort. This sad death reveals just how susceptible celebrities are today—especially those at the waning end of their careers. Shady fundraising schemes are always lurking, ready to ruin their reputations.
Rourke, who’s been typecast as a fading star in Tinseltown, reared up on Twitter to set the record straight. Dogged to the end by his loyal canine companion, he recorded his objection to the appeal. He added that above all, he would never ask for handouts.
“If I needed money, I wouldn’t ask for no fucking charity. I’d rather stick a gun up my ass and pull the trigger,” – Mickey Rourke
The actor’s response was called “very Rourkian” for being so on-brand, as it captured Mr. He called for fans to withhold support for the ongoing fundraising campaign—which he found restraining humiliating.
“Don’t give any money, and if you gave money, get it back … it’s humiliating,” – Mickey Rourke
This incident occurs amidst conversations of other celebrities facing similar public misapprehensions. Kevin Spacey, now 66 years old, was recently forced to debunk rumors that he was homeless. As he told one interview published last year by the Telegraph, Inga Bertfeld, living with the actor, “I literally have no home. In the wake of his announcement, thousands of fans extended invitations to him through social media with spare rooms and tickets.
Rourke’s assistant might be trying to get ahead of a new trend, one that takes the aging star phenomenon to the next level. Most of them face becoming the target of concerted fundraising campaigns in difficult election cycles. These moments can be especially embarrassing for those who reach a higher level of notoriety and wealth. While some actors like George Clooney and Brad Pitt have successfully maintained their status and recognition, others may find themselves less fortunate.
Rourke’s response highlights an increasing unease in the entertainment community over the consequences of military-themed fundraising campaigns like this. Incidents of privacy invasions are common for public figures, and in many instances while their careers are ongoing. Having strangers start collections on their behalf can really tarnish their brand or their bottom line.