Kim Basinger has thrown Mickey Rourke a lifeline as his entire life capsizes.
The Oscar-winning actress, who starred opposite Rourke in the 1986 erotic drama 9 1/2 Weeks, is said to have quietly reached out after reports emerged that the 73-year-old Hollywood veteran had been evicted from his Los Angeles rental home due to unpaid rent.
Rourke was behind on approximately $59,000, with further reports suggesting he had been living in a property described as poorly maintained.
Rourke also rejected a GoFundMe campaign organised by his manager, which reportedly raised around $100,000 in donations before he declined to accept the funds.
Kim Basinger to the Rescue
Riding in like a knight in shining armour, Basinger has decided to intervene. She is offering support to her former leading man as he navigates a difficult chapter in his chequered life.
A source told RadarOnline, “Kim is a very low-key person, so she’d never talk about it, but as soon as she heard about Mickey’s situation, she reached out to offer him help.”
However, Rourke has been reluctant to accept her help.
The source added: “The problem is Mickey’s got so much pride, and he doesn’t want to admit how bad things have gotten for him, so he’s been very reluctant to accept anything from her.”
Despite his wounded pride, Basinger is not backing down and refuses to take no for an answer.
The source said: “To her credit, she’s not giving up on him. She says she knows how hard it can be to struggle when you’re in the public eye.”
Empathy for Rourke
The Batman actress can empathise with the pressures of fame. She’s previously experienced agoraphobia and periods of intense anxiety that made day-to-day living difficult.
The source said, “That’s why she has so much empathy for what he’s going through.”
“She’s offered to line up a place for him to stay while he gets back on his feet, is willing to loan him money, and has even talked about wanting to help him rebuild his reputation in Hollywood after his Big Brother scandal.”
Big Brother Scandal
Rourke was thrown out of the UK series of Celebrity Big Brother that aired in 2025 by ITV bosses. He was using “inappropriate language” and “instances of unacceptable behaviour.”
Rourke, 73, used behaviour and language considered to be threatening and aggressive towards fellow housemate Chris Hughes. However, no physical altercation took place between the pair.
The Wrestler star also used “sexual language” in conversations with The Only Way Is Essex reality star Ella Rae Wise.
Discussing his behaviour in The Diary Room, Ella said: “(It) just makes me feel on edge. I don’t like the jokes, like the sexual jokes being made towards me. I’m a young girl and I’m not a piece of meat.”
Rourke also used “unacceptable language” when speaking about housemate, JoJo Siwa.
Siwa accused Rourke of being “homophobic” for saying he was “going to vote the lesbian out real quick” and making other comments about her sexuality.
Chris and JoJo grew close in the house after the Love Island hunk comforted her. The pair are now in a relationship.