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Hollywood and TV

Film and television stars and the wills, trusts, likeness rights and heirs they left.

92 storiesEvery story with sourcesFilter all stories

What do the hollywood and tv estate cases show?

When a trust gives a spouse the house and the children the personal property, words such as "jewelry" and "memorabilia" decide who owns each object inside it. A will must be updated when a child is born; Matilda's inheritance depended on her grandparents' goodwill.

Stories
92
Years
1926 to 2025
Main regions
North America, Europe, East Asia
Legal traditions
Common law, Civil law
Updated
30 October 2026

Every case in hollywood and tv, best-known first

Best-known first: cases from 1900 on, then the United States, then Europe, and the people most read about on English Wikipedia each month. Fiction, scripture and legend come last.

Robin Williams 2011a (2): Happy Feet Two Australian premiere with Robin Williams and George Miller at Entertainment Quarter in Sydney, Australia2014 · Paradise Cay, Tiburon, California, USARobin Williams's widow and three children fought in a San Francisco court over his belongings, and the children got more than 85 watchesRobin Williams died at his home in Paradise Cay, near Tiburon, California, on 11 August 2014, aged 63. His death was ruled a suicide. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and the autopsy found diffuse Lewy body dementia.journals.law.harvard.edu and 12 moreHeath Ledger: Heath Ledger (2)2008 · 421 Broome Street, ManhattanHeath Ledger's will was written before his daughter was born and left her nothingHeath Ledger died in his Manhattan apartment at 28 from an accidental overdose of six prescription drugs. His three-page will, signed in 2003, left everything to his parents, Kim and Sally, and his three sisters.archive.triblive.com and 3 moreMarilyn Monroe: A glamorous Marilyn Monroe in a red dress, taken for publicity purposes for 1953 film How to Marry a Millionaire.1962 · Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, USAMarilyn Monroe's executor told tax officials she lived in New York, so a court barred her estate's company from claiming California image rightsMarilyn Monroe signed her will in New York on 14 January 1961, naming her lawyer Aaron Frosch executor. She died in the Brentwood house she had bought for $75,000 six months earlier and was found on 5 August 1962.CourtListener and 8 moreElizabeth Taylor: Taylor, Elizabeth posed2011 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaElizabeth Taylor's jewelry sold for $137,235,575 at Christie's in December 2011, the most ever paid for a jewelry collection, with the proceeds going to her foundationElizabeth Taylor died on 23 March 2011. Christie's sold her jewelry in New York on 13 and 14 December 2011. The evening sale on 13 December brought $115.9 million.guinnessworldrecords.com and 2 moreMarlon Brando: Marlon Brando publicity for One-Eyed Jacks2004 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaMarlon Brando's $21.6 million will left out one child, and a son's girlfriend scattered part of his ashesMarlon Brando died at UCLA Medical Center on July 1, 2004, at 80. His will, signed on August 28, 2002, and filed on July 9, 2004, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, valued his estate at $21.6 million.Los Angeles Times and 1 moreBrittany Murphy: Brittany Murphy2009 · Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USABrittany Murphy's father sued the coroner for her hair samples, then said a lab found heavy metals; her mother called it a smearBrittany Murphy collapsed at the Hollywood Hills house she shared with her husband, Simon Monjack, and her mother, Sharon Murphy, and died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on 20 December 2009, aged 32.CBS News and 5 morePhilip Seymour Hoffman: Philip Seymour Hoffman at the Paris premiere of "The Ides of March"2014 · New York CityPhilip Seymour Hoffman left an estimated $35 million to Mimi O'Donnell, whom he never married, and refused a trust for his three childrenPhilip Seymour Hoffman died of a drug overdose on 2 February 2014.foxnews.com and 3 moreAnne Heche: Anne Heche July 14, 2014 (3x4 cropped)2022 · Los Angeles, California, USAAnne Heche's ex said a 2011 email was her will, and the court gave her estate to her 20-year-old sonAnne Heche crashed her car into a Los Angeles house in August 2022 and died days later. She left no formal will. Her older son, Homer Laffoon, 20, petitioned to run the estate.etonline.com and 3 moreMatthew Perry: Matthew Perry in support of Awareness on Drug Courts and Reduced Substance Abuse2023 · Los Angeles, California, USAMatthew Perry died of ketamine, and his doctor, his assistant and a dealer called the "Ketamine Queen" were prosecutedMatthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home. The medical examiner found the acute effects of ketamine. Federal prosecutors charged five people with supplying it. Dr.ktvu.com and 2 moreJayne Mansfield: Jayne Mansfield (Kiss Them For Me) - Color1967 · U.S. Highway 90 near the Rigolets Bridge, LouisianaJayne Mansfield's estate was appraised at $600,000 in 1967; by 1977 her children found about $500,000 in debts and the estate insolventJayne Mansfield was killed at about 2:25 a.m. on 29 June 1967 when the car carrying her, her attorney and partner Sam Brody, driver Ronald Harrison and three of her children hit the rear of a tractor-trailer. The children survived.The New York Times and 2 morePaul Walker: PaulWalkerEdit-12013 · Santa Clarita, CaliforniaPaul Walker left $25 million to his 15-year-old daughter, who then sued PorschePaul Walker died on November 30, 2013, as a passenger in a Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend and business partner Roger Rodas. Police cited speed.nydailynews.com and 3 moreSharon Tate: Sharon Tate Valley of the Dolls 1967 - Restoration1969 · 10050 Cielo Drive, Benedict Canyon, Los AngelesAfter Sharon Tate's murder her mother Doris backed California's 1982 Victims' Bill of Rights and became the first victim's relative to speak at a state parole hearingSharon Tate, 26, married to director Roman Polanski and eight and a half months pregnant, was murdered with four others by followers of Charles Manson at 10050 Cielo Drive on 9 August 1969.the-line-up.com and 4 moreJohn Wayne: John Wayne - still portrait1979 · UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USAJohn Wayne's heirs ended an 11-year trademark fight with Duke University after agreeing that no letter of DUKE on their liquor will be blueAs a boy John Wayne took the nickname Duke from his family's Airedale terrier, also named Duke. He died of stomach cancer at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles on 11 June 1979, aged 72.ttabvue.uspto.gov and 14 moreWalt Disney: Walt Disney 1946 (cropped2)1993 · California, USAWalt Disney's twin grandchildren split over a $400 million trust after the trustees paid one twin and refused the otherSharon Disney Lund, Walt Disney's younger daughter, set up the Lund Family Trust in 1989 and died in 1993. Her twins, Bradford and Michelle, were to receive distributions at 35, 40 and 45 if the trustees judged them ready.azcourts.gov and 4 moreChadwick Boseman: Chadwick Boseman by Gage Skidmore July 2017 (cropped)2020 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaChadwick Boseman died in 2020 without a will, and his widow filed in Los Angeles to run an estate first listed at $938,500Chadwick Boseman died on 28 August 2020 of colon cancer at 43. He had married Taylor Simone Ledward shortly before his death. He left no will.today.com and 3 moreAmanda Bynes: Amanda Bynes on the Red Carpet (cropped2)2013 · Ventura County, CaliforniaAmanda Bynes lived under her mother's conservatorship for nine yearsAmanda Bynes starred on Nickelodeon as a teenager. In 2012 and 2013 she faced driving charges in Los Angeles County, including a suspected DUI after her car clipped a sheriff's cruiser, and drug charges in New York.CNN and 1 moreBurt Reynolds: Publicity photo of Burt Reynolds from the television program Dan August.2018 · Jupiter, FloridaBurt Reynolds's 2018 will named his son Quinton as intentionally omitted and routed his assets through a trust run by his nieceBurt Reynolds earned as much as $10 million a year at his peak, invested in restaurant chains that failed and filed for personal bankruptcy in 1996.tmz.com and 3 moreGene Hackman: Gene Hackman in the White House, 19872025 · Santa Fe, New Mexico, USAGene Hackman and his wife were found dead a week apart, and his children are fighting wills that leave them nothingGene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home in February 2025. Investigators reported that Arakawa died of hantavirus about a week before Hackman, who had advanced Alzheimer's disease.Rolling Stone and 3 moreJohn Ritter: John Ritter 19772003 · Burbank, CaliforniaJohn Ritter's family collected $14 million in settlements, then lost a $67 million suit against two doctorsOn September 11, 2003, his daughter Stella's fifth birthday, John Ritter fell ill during rehearsals for "8 Simple Rules." He went to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, the hospital where he was born.today.com and 1 moreNatalie Wood: Natalie Wood Allan Warren1981 · Catalina Island, CaliforniaNatalie Wood drowned off Santa Catalina Island in 1981, and in 2012 the Los Angeles coroner changed her death certificate to "drowning and other undetermined factors"Natalie Wood, 43, was last seen on the yacht Splendour, anchored off Catalina Island, with her husband Robert Wagner, actor Christopher Walken and the boat's captain, Dennis Davern. Her body was found in the water the next morning.The Hollywood Reporter and 4 moreShannen Doherty: Shannen Doherty (cropped)2024 · Los Angeles County, California, USAShannen Doherty signed her divorce settlement the day before she died of cancerShannen Doherty, star of Beverly Hills, 90210, filed for divorce from photographer Kurt Iswarienko in 2023 while being treated for breast cancer.CBS News and 2 moreFarrah Fawcett: Farrah Fawcett 19772009 · Santa Monica, CaliforniaRyan O'Neal took a Warhol portrait from Farrah Fawcett's home; her university sued and lostFarrah Fawcett studied art at the University of Texas from 1965 to 1968. Andy Warhol made two portraits of her in 1980. In 2007 she amended her living trust to leave all her "artwork and art objects" to the university.texasmonthly.com and 2 moreBill Paxton: Bill Paxton by Gage Skidmore2017 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaBill Paxton's family sued his surgeon and Cedars-Sinai after he died following heart surgeryBill Paxton had surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on February 14, 2017, to replace an aortic valve and repair an aortic aneurysm. He died of a stroke 11 days later, at 61, according to his death certificate.Deadline and 2 moreDennis Hopper: Dennis Hopper Cannes 2008 (cropped)2010 · Venice, Los Angeles, CaliforniaDennis Hopper filed for divorce while dying of cancer and fought his wife over money until his deathDennis Hopper, director and co-star of "Easy Rider," had prostate cancer. In January 2010 he filed to divorce Victoria Duffy, his wife of 14 years and mother of his 6-year-old daughter, Galen.huffpost.com and 2 moreKirk Douglas: Studio publicity Kirk Douglas2020 · Beverly Hills, CaliforniaKirk Douglas left most of a $61 million estate to charity and nothing to his son MichaelKirk Douglas died at 103.Internet Archive and 3 moreOrson Welles: Orson Welles, photographed by Carl Van Vechten1985 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaOrson Welles's daughter Beatrice sued his partner Oja Kodar, fought her over The Other Side of the Wind, and lost her claim to the Citizen Kane copyrightOrson Welles died in Los Angeles on 10 October 1985. He left a wife, Paola Mori, and a partner of about 20 years, the Croatian actress Oja Kodar. Mori died in August 1986 after a car crash.FindLaw Caselaw and 5 moreStan Lee: Stan Lee 2007 (cropped)2018 · Los Angeles, California, USAStan Lee's last manager was charged with elder abuse after the Marvel creator diedStan Lee co-created Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Avengers. His wife, Joan, died in July 2017. In 2018 a court granted a restraining order against Keya Morgan, who had been acting as Lee's business manager.nbclosangeles.com and 2 moreBrandon Lee: Brandon lee (cropped)1993 · Wilmington, North CarolinaBrandon Lee was killed on the set of The Crow in 1993 by a bullet fragment fired from a prop gun, and his mother and fiancee settled with the producers for an undisclosed sumBrandon Lee, 28, son of Bruce Lee, was shot in the abdomen during a scene at Carolco Studios in Wilmington. The .44 Magnum was supposed to hold only blanks.history.com and 4 moreJames Dean: James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (HQ)1955 · near Cholame, CaliforniaJames Dean died without a will, his father inherited, his wrecked Porsche vanished in 1960, and his estate sued Twitter over @JamesDeanJames Dean died at 24 when his Porsche 550 Spyder hit another car near Cholame on 30 September 1955. He had made three films and no will.The Seattle Times and 5 moreHedy Lamarr: Hedy Lamarr publicity photo for the film The Heavenly Body, 19442000 · Casselberry, FloridaHedy Lamarr's adopted son sued in Florida in 2000 over a will that left him nothing from her $3.3 million estateHedy Lamarr died aged 85 at her home in Seminole County, Florida.UPI and 3 moreDebbie Reynolds: Debbie Reynolds by Beerman Parry, 19542016 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaDebbie Reynolds never raised the money for her Hollywood museum, sold her 3,500-item collection in 2011, and her estate auctioned more after she died a day after Carrie FisherOver about 40 years Debbie Reynolds bought props, costumes and scripts from MGM, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros. and Paramount.nbclosangeles.com and 4 moreTony Curtis: Tony Curtis 19582010 · Henderson, NevadaTony Curtis left everything to his wife and named his five living children to exclude themTony Curtis had six children; his son Nicholas died in 1994. About five months before his death, Curtis signed a will leaving his estate to his wife, Jill Vandenberg Curtis.insideedition.com and 2 morePeter Falk: Peter Falk NBC 1967 You Don't Say! (cropped)2011 · Beverly Hills, CaliforniaPeter Falk's daughter lost a conservatorship fight to his widow and then pushed for a lawPeter Falk played Columbo. He and his first wife, Alyce Mayo, adopted two daughters, Catherine and Jacqueline. In 1977 he married actress Shera Danese. After hip surgery in 2008 he developed dementia.Los Angeles Times and 1 moreJoan Crawford: JCrawford391977 · New York City, New YorkJoan Crawford's will left out Christina and Christopher "for reasons which are well known to them"Joan Crawford signed a new will in New York on October 28, 1976. She died in her Manhattan apartment on May 10, 1977, leaving about $2 million.Internet Archive and 6 moreGeorge Carlin: George Carlin 1975 (Little David Records) Publicity (cropped)2008 · Los Angeles, California, USAGeorge Carlin's estate sued a podcast over an AI-made comedy special and won its removalIn January 2024 the podcast Dudesy, hosted by Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, released an hour-long special called "George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead," presented as an AI imitation of the comedian who had died in 2008.The New York Times and 2 moreMickey Rooney: Mickey Rooney still2014 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaMickey Rooney worked 90 years and left an $18,000 estate to one stepsonMickey Rooney began in his parents' vaudeville act and had the longest career of any Hollywood star. In February 2011 a Los Angeles judge ordered his stepson Chris Aber and Aber's wife, Christina, to stay 100 yards away.CNN and 2 moreFred Astaire: Astaire, Fred - Never Get Rich1987 · Los Angeles, California, USAFred Astaire's widow charged fees for clips of him, lost a federal appeal over 90 seconds of film, and licensed him to a vacuum maker over his daughter's objectionFred Astaire died on 22 June 1987, aged 88. His widow, Robyn, nearly 50 years younger, inherited all rights in his name, voice and likeness under California Civil Code section 990.law.resource.org and 4 moreDoris Day: DorisDay-midnightlace-full2019 · Carmel Valley, CaliforniaDoris Day's husband died in 1968 and she learned her lawyer and her husband had lost her earnings; a court awarded the couple $26,396,511Martin Melcher, Doris Day's third husband and business manager, died on 20 April 1968. Day then found that her money was gone.FindLaw Caselaw and 3 moreJim Henson: Jim Henson, creator, The Muppets1990 · New York Hospital, New YorkJim Henson died during a $150 million sale to Disney, his children ended the deal and sued Disney, and the Muppets went to Disney anyway in 2004In August 1989 Jim Henson and Disney announced on Good Morning America that Disney would buy Henson Associates for a reported $150 million. Henson died in May 1990, aged 53, before the deal closed.The Seattle Times and 4 moreZsa Zsa Gabor: Zsa Zsa Gabor - 19592016 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaZsa Zsa Gabor's husband ran her estate as conservator and moved most of her ashes to BudapestZsa Zsa Gabor married nine times. Her last husband, Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, married her in 1986 and became conservator of her estate.tmz.com and 3 moreJerry Lewis: Jerry Lewis (Paramount photo by Bud Fraker)2017 · Las Vegas, NevadaJerry Lewis's will excluded all six sons from his first marriage and their childrenJerry Lewis had six sons with his first wife, Patti Palmer: Gary, Ronald, Scott, Christopher, Anthony and Joseph. Joseph died in 2009. Lewis and his second wife, SanDee Pitnick, adopted a daughter, Danielle.avclub.com and 1 moreJoan Rivers: Joan Rivers 1966 Press photo2014 · Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan, New York, USAJoan Rivers's executors sued the Manhattan clinic where she stopped breathing during a throat procedure and settled in 2016 for an undisclosed sumOn 28 August 2014 Joan Rivers, 81, went to Yorkville Endoscopy in Manhattan for a laryngoscopy and upper endoscopy under propofol sedation to check voice changes and acid reflux. She stopped breathing during the procedure.amp.insurancejournal.com and 6 moreCharlie Chaplin: Charlie Chaplin portrait Getty 17394119521977 · Corsier-sur-Vevey, SwitzerlandTwo men stole Charlie Chaplin's coffin for ransom, and his widow refused to payCharlie Chaplin moved to Switzerland after the United States revoked his re-entry permit in 1952. He died at home in Corsier-sur-Vevey on Christmas Day 1977, aged 88. He left more than $100 million to his widow, Oona.history.co.uk and 3 moreAnthony Quinn: Anthony Quinn around the 1960s2001 · Boston, MassachusettsAnthony Quinn bought 29 acres on Rhodes in 1960, a Greek court cancelled the sale in 1984, and he died before he was repaidAfter filming on Rhodes, Anthony Quinn bought about 29 acres at Ladiko in 1960 for about £1,500. His lawyer said Queen Frederica and the prime minister endorsed the deal.tovima.com and 4 moreGary Coleman: GaryColemanE3May052010 · Provo, UtahA Utah judge ruled Gary Coleman's ex-wife was not his common-law wife; his ashes were locked in a vaultGary Coleman starred as a child in "Diff'rent Strokes." In 1989 he sued his adoptive parents and a former adviser for misusing his trust fund and won a $1.28 million judgment in 1993.CNN and 1 moreAudrey Hepburn: AudreyKHepburn1993 · Tolochenaz, SwitzerlandAudrey Hepburn's two sons ended up on opposite sides of a lawsuit over who controls her imageAfter Audrey Hepburn died of abdominal cancer in January 1993, aged 63, her sons Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Luca Dotti and her partner Robert Wolders created a charity, Hollywood for Children, later called the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.nbclosangeles.com and 1 moreRedd Foxx: Redd Foxx 19661991 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe IRS seized Redd Foxx's Las Vegas home, seven vehicles and bank accounts in 1989, and his estate was still in probate with an IRS lien in 2006On 28 November 1989 at least 17 IRS agents arrived at Redd Foxx's home near the Las Vegas Strip and gave him two minutes to open the door, according to UPI.probatelawyerblog.com and 4 moreCasey Kasem2014 · St. Anthony's Hospital, Gig Harbor, WashingtonCasey Kasem's wife and children fought over his care until he died, then she took his body to NorwayCasey Kasem, host of "American Top 40", had Lewy body dementia in his last years. His second wife, Jean, and his three children from his first marriage, Kerri, Julie and Mike, fought over his care.abc7.com and 3 moreJames Gandolfini: James Gandolfini @ Toronto International Film Festival 20112013 · Rome, ItalyJames Gandolfini's will left 80 percent of an estimated $70 million estate to his sisters and infant daughter, and a tax lawyer said about $30 million would go to taxesJames Gandolfini died in Rome at 51. His will, reviewed by the New York Daily News, left about 80 percent of an estimated $70 million estate to his sisters and his 9-month-old daughter, and 20 percent to his wife, Deborah Lin.ABA Journal and 3 moreJimmy Savile: Jimmy Savile 20062011 · Leeds, EnglandJimmy Savile left £4.3 million to friends and his charity; abuse claims froze the estate and the courts approved paying it to his victimsJimmy Savile presented Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It and raised money for hospitals. He died in October 2011 and left £4.3 million.BBC and 4 moreLana Turner: Lana Turner 1940s publicity portrait1995 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaLana Turner left her daughter $50,000 and the rest of a $1.7 million trust to her maid of 45 yearsIn 1958 Lana Turner's 14-year-old daughter, Cheryl Crane, stabbed Turner's lover, Johnny Stompanato, to death in Turner's home. The killing was ruled justifiable homicide.Los Angeles Times and 1 moreRaymond Burr: Raymond-Burr-1968-cropped1993 · his ranch on West Dry Creek Road, near Healdsburg, CaliforniRaymond Burr left everything to his partner Robert Benevides, and a judge threw out his niece's claim of undue influence in 1994Raymond Burr died of cancer on his 40-acre ranch near Healdsburg on 12 September 1993, aged 76.pressdemocrat.com and 3 moreGroucho Marx: Groucho Marx - portrait1977 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaGroucho Marx's companion lost the fight over his estate, and his heirs lost the rights to his actErin Fleming, an aspiring actress, went to work for Groucho Marx after a series of assistants quit. Producer Jerry Davis referred her. She moved from errands to managing his business and his public appearances.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 2 moreBob Crane: Bob Crane Colonel Hogan 19691978 · Scottsdale, ArizonaBob Crane was bludgeoned to death in 1978, left everything to his estranged second wife, and the 1994 acquittal and 2016 DNA retest never named a killerBob Crane was found beaten to death in a Scottsdale apartment on 29 June 1978 while touring in the play Beginner's Luck. An electrical cord was tied around his neck. No forced entry was found and nothing of value was missing.CNN and 3 moreLarry King: Larry King in 2006 (cropped)2021 · Los Angeles, California, USALarry King's handwritten 2019 will left his estate to five children, two of whom died before him, and his estranged wife Shawn contested itLarry King married Shawn Southwick in 1997 and filed for divorce in August 2019.wsbtv.com and 3 moreWendy Williams: Wendy Williams WBLS 2022 (cropped)2022 · New York, USAWendy Williams has been under a guardianship since 2022 and is still asking a New York court to end itWendy Williams hosted a daily talk show for 13 years. In 2022 a New York court placed her under guardianship, and lawyer Sabrina Morrissey became her guardian.atlantablackstar.com and 3 moreBela Lugosi: Lugosi Béla fortepan 14652 (cropped)1956 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaBela Lugosi's widow and son sued Universal over Dracula merchandise and lost in 1979Bela Lugosi played Count Dracula on Broadway in 1927 and in Universal's 1931 film. His September 1930 contract granted Universal certain rights. He died in 1956. His will left his son $1,000 in cash and some land in Elsinore.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 2 moreGene Roddenberry: Gene roddenberry 19761991 · Santa Monica, CaliforniaGene Roddenberry's first wife sued his estate for Star Trek profits and lost 2-1 on appeal in 1996; his widow's 2009 trust left their son $60 million and the dogs a $4 million home trustGene Roddenberry divorced Eileen Roddenberry in 1969, when Star Trek was a commercial flop. Their agreement gave her one-half of future profits from "Star Trek" without defining the term.Deseret News and 2 moreSuicide of Christine Chubbuck: Christine Chubbuck 1974 (HQ)1974 · Sarasota, FloridaChristine Chubbuck shot herself on live television in 1974, and her station's tape has been held privately sinceOn 15 July 1974 Christine Chubbuck, a reporter and host at WXLT-TV in Sarasota, spoke on camera about an attempted suicide after a film reel failed. She shot herself during Suncoast Digest.aol.com and 2 moreJackie Coogan: Jackie Coogan 19621984 · CaliforniaJackie Coogan earned $3 million as a child; $252,000 was left when he sued his motherJackie Coogan became a star in Charlie Chaplin's The Kid (1921). In June 1922 his parents asked a Los Angeles court to approve their guardianship of his fortune, and his mother posted a $100,000 bond.gov.ca.gov and 1 moreNichelle Nichols: Nichelle Nichols (4505899674) (cropped)2022 · Silver City, New MexicoNichelle Nichols's son became her conservator in 2019 and fought her manager in court; after her 2022 death a jury awarded her family $13 million, capped at $400,000Nichelle Nichols was diagnosed with dementia in early 2018. After a dispute over her manager and caretaker, Gilbert Bell, her son Kyle Johnson petitioned for conservatorship, and a Los Angeles court granted it in January 2019.abqjournal.com and 4 moreBing Crosby: Bing Crosby Paramount Pictures1977 · Near Madrid, SpainBing Crosby's sons waited for a trust they could not touch until 65, and their mother's trust went brokeBing Crosby married Wilma Wyatt, known as Dixie Lee, on September 29, 1930. They had four sons. She died on November 1, 1952, and her will put her half of the community property in trust for the boys.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 2 moreSherman Hemsley: Sherman Hemsley The Jeffersons 19782012 · El Paso, TexasSherman Hemsley's body stayed in a funeral home refrigerator for months while a half-brother contested his willSherman Hemsley played George Jefferson on "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons." He died of lung cancer at his El Paso home on July 24, 2012, at 74.CNN and 2 morePaul Bern: Jean Harlow & Paul Bern 19321932 · 9820 Easton Drive, Beverly Hills, CaliforniaPaul Bern was found shot two months after marrying Jean Harlow, his common-law wife Dorothy Millette drowned days later, and a judge made Harlow executor of his estatePaul Bern, an MGM producer born Paul Levy, married Jean Harlow on 2 July 1932. His butler found him dead of a gunshot wound at their Beverly Hills house on 5 September 1932 (one account gives 4 September).ebsco.com and 5 moreCaroline Flack: Caroline Flack2020 · London, EnglandCaroline Flack died in February 2020 before an assault trial; the coroner found the prosecution was among the causes, and her family said police and prosecutors singled her outCaroline Flack was charged with assaulting her boyfriend, Lewis Burton, in December 2019. Burton said he did not want her prosecuted.lawgazette.co.uk and 3 morePeter Sellers: Peter Sellers at home in Belgravia, London, 19731980 · London, EnglandPeter Sellers signed a trust for his daughter the day he collapsed; his widow kept a £4 million estatePeter Sellers married actress Lynne Frederick in 1977. She was 22, almost 30 years younger than he was. She filed for divorce in 1979, and the couple then reunited.BBC and 1 moreRudolph Valentino: Rudolph-Valentino-by-Donald-Biddle-Keyes-19221926 · New York City, New YorkRudolph Valentino's will gave his ex-wife $1, and his body went into a borrowed cryptRudolph Valentino, born Rodolpho Guglielmi, died on August 23, 1926.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 2 moreAlain Delon: Alain Delon 19612024 · Douchy-Montcorbon, Loiret, FranceAlain Delon's three children fought over his care and his two wills, and in 2026 two of them were fined for secretly recording the thirdAlain Delon's 2015 will split his estate, which Le Monde put at several tens of millions of euros, 50% to his daughter Anouchka and 25% each to his sons Anthony and Alain-Fabien.Le Monde and 6 moreMarlene Dietrich: Marlene Dietrich in No Highway (1951) (Cropped)1992 · 12 avenue Montaigne, ParisMarlene Dietrich's daughter sold her estate to Berlin in 1993, about 300,000 pages, 16,500 photographs and 3,300 garmentsMarlene Dietrich left Germany for Hollywood, became an American citizen and entertained Allied troops in the Second World War, and many Germans did not forgive her.deutsche-kinemathek.de and 6 moreNorman Jewison: A portrait of Norman Jewison taken by Gail Harvey. (48198901241) (cropped)2024 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaNorman Jewison's three children sued after he changed his will two months before his death in 2024; the claims were settled by mediation and never tested in courtNorman Jewison died aged 97. CBC News reported in 2025, from lawsuits it obtained, that his estate was estimated at $30 million. The suits allege that his second wife, Lynne St.cbc.ca and 3 moreErnie Kovacs: Ernie kovacs 19561962 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaErnie Kovacs's mother sued his widow, Edie Adams, over how she paid his tax debtsErnie Kovacs died in a car crash in Los Angeles on January 13, 1962. Before his death the government had filed tax liens of $232,861.94 against him and his wife, Edie Adams.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 3 moreCeleste Holm: Studio publicity Celeste Holm2012 · New York CityCeleste Holm's sons sued her fifth husband over a 2002 trust, the fight ran about six years, and she died in 2012 with a $13 million estate and a settlement forcing him out of her apartmentCeleste Holm won an Academy Award for Gentleman's Agreement. In 2002 her children helped set up a trust to protect her from exploitation, and her younger son, Daniel Dunning, was named trustee.dnainfo.com and 4 moreJean Seberg: Jean seberg panorama 19631979 · Paris, FranceThe FBI planted a false story about Jean Seberg's pregnancy in 1970, admitted it in 1979, and she was found dead in her car in ParisJean Seberg raised money for the Black Panthers. TIME reported in September 1979 that an FBI memo of 27 April 1970 from a Los Angeles agent proposed a rumor that her baby's father was a Black Panther leader. J.neh.gov and 3 moreDarryl F. Zanuck: Darryl F. Zanuck 19641979 · Palm Springs, CaliforniaA French woman sued Darryl F. Zanuck's estate for $15 million in 1980, saying his son had her cut from the will; the case ended in 1988 with her claim going to a universityDarryl F. Zanuck died in 1979 while living with his wife, Virginia. In 1980 Genevieve Gilles (reported in 1983 as Genevieve Gillaizeau) filed a $15 million claim against his estate.UPI and 4 moreGina Lollobrigida: Gina Lollobrigida - Publicity still (1956)2023 · Rome, ItalyGina Lollobrigida left half her estate to an assistant who was convicted of exploiting her, and her son says €10 million is goneGina Lollobrigida met Andrea Piazzolla when he was 21 and working as a delivery boy at her villa on the Appia Antica in Rome. He became her assistant and manager and moved into the villa.corriere.it and 6 moreFreddie Bartholomew: Freddie Bartholomew in Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936)1992 · Sarasota, FloridaFreddie Bartholomew's parents lost a court fight with his aunt over the boy and his MGM salaryFreddie Bartholomew was raised by his aunt, Millicent Bartholomew, at his grandparents' home in Warminster, England. In 1934 she took him to America for what she told his parents would be 60 days.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 1 moreDavid Carradine: David Carradine at the premiere of Polanski Unauthorized2009 · Swissotel Nai Lert Park, BangkokDavid Carradine was found dead in a Bangkok closet in 2009; Thai police said suicide, the family's pathologist said accident, and his widow sued the film companyDavid Carradine arrived in Bangkok on 31 May 2009 to shoot Stretch. He missed a meal on 3 June and was found dead on 4 June in a hotel closet, aged 72.abcnews.com and 3 moreWilliam S. Hart: Williamshart1946 · Newhall, CaliforniaWilliam S. Hart left his only son nothing and his ranch to Los Angeles County; the son fought for a decadeWilliam S. Hart was a silent-film Western star.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 2 moreRajesh Khanna: Rajesh Khanna at Prithvi Soni's exhibition2012 · Aashirwad, Carter Road, Bandra, Mumbai, IndiaRajesh Khanna's live-in partner sued his widow and daughters for 14 years, and his bungalow was sold for Rs 90 crore and torn downRajesh Khanna bought the sea-facing bungalow Aashirwad from the actor Rajendra Kumar in 1970 for Rs 3.5 lakh. He married Dimple Kapadia in 1973; they separated in the mid-1980s and never divorced.The Times of India and 5 moreMap of California, marked on the globe2025 · Brentwood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaNick Reiner, charged with killing Rob and Michele Reiner, sues for his $1.5 million trust fundRob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, died of knife wounds in their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025. Their son Nick, 32, was arrested that night and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.Deadline and 5 moreRobert Blake (actor): Robert Blake Baretta 19772023 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaRobert Blake was acquitted of murdering his wife, then ordered to pay her children $30 millionRobert Blake starred in "In Cold Blood" and won an Emmy for "Baretta." In May 2001 his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, 44, was shot dead in his car outside his favorite Italian restaurant in Studio City.CNN and 2 moreRock Hudson - portrait1985 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaA jury found Rock Hudson hid his AIDS from his lover and awarded $21.75 million against his estateOn July 25, 1985, Rock Hudson's spokeswoman in Paris said he had AIDS and had been diagnosed more than a year earlier. He died that October at 59. His will left his estate to a trust he set up in 1974.Los Angeles Times and 2 moreVic Morrow: Cropped screenshot showing Vic Morrow, from movie trailer of 1955 film Blackboard Jungle1982 · Indian Dunes, Valencia, CaliforniaA helicopter killed Vic Morrow and two child actors on the Twilight Zone set in 1982, and director John Landis and four others were tried for manslaughter and acquitted in 1987On 23 July 1982, the last scheduled shooting day, a low-flying helicopter lost control after special-effects explosions during the Vietnam battle scene of Twilight Zone: The Movie.vice.com and 1 moreThe Stooges: Iggy and The Stooges - 45723931871975 · Los Angeles area, CaliforniaThe Three Stooges' heirs fought each other over royalties, then won the case that set the limits of a dead star's likenessMoe Howard, Larry Fine and Joe DeRita formed Comedy III Productions in 1959 to handle Three Stooges business, each with an equal share.Caselaw Access Project, Harvard Law School and 1 moreJack L. Warner: Jack Warner portrait copy1958 · Los Angeles, CaliforniaJack Warner took control of Warner Bros. in 1956 after his brothers sold out; Harry died two years laterHarry, Albert and Jack Warner controlled Warner Bros. in 1956. In July 1956 the brothers agreed to sell control to a group led by Serge Semenenko, a vice president of the First National Bank of Boston.Internet Archive and 1 moreAlberto Sordi: Alberto Sordi (1962)2003 · his villa at the Baths of Caracalla, Rome, ItalyAlberto Sordi's sister left his €50 million to a foundation, relatives accused nine people of exploiting her, and all nine were acquittedAlberto Sordi died in 2003 in the villa by the Baths of Caracalla where he had lived since 1954. His estate passed to his sister Aurelia, who had no direct heirs.Il Post and 2 moreAnita Mui: Avenue of Stars, Anita Mui (Ank Kumar)2003 · Hong KongAnita Mui put her estate in a trust to keep it from her mother; the mother sued for 20 years, went bankrupt, and died in 2026 after Mui's ashes went missingAnita Mui died of cervical cancer in December 2003, aged 40. Shortly before, she signed a will that put most of her estate in a trust administered by HSBC International Trustee.taipeitimes.com and 5 moreJane Birkin: 66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra) Jane Birkin2023 · Paris, FranceThe original Hermes bag made for Jane Birkin sold at Sotheby's Paris in July 2025 for 8.58 million euros, the highest price paid for a handbag at auctionThe first Birkin bag was made for Jane Birkin by Hermes. She died in Paris in July 2023. On 10 July 2025 Sotheby's Paris sold the original bag for 8.58 million euros, about $10 million, after a bidding war, according to Bloomberg.Bloomberg and 3 moreAI illustration: The Linnaeusstraat in Amsterdam on a grey November morning, 2004, a bicycle lying on its side in the empty street2004 · Amsterdam, NetherlandsTheo van Gogh was killed on an Amsterdam street on 2 November 2004, and Mohammed Bouyeri was sentenced to life without parole as a terroristTheo van Gogh was cycling to work in Amsterdam on 2 November 2004 when Mohammed Bouyeri attacked him. Van Gogh had directed Submission, a short film on the treatment of women in Islam.Al Jazeera and 3 moreAI illustration: A typed will beside a hardback memoir on a writing desk, 19891989 · Paris, FranceBette Davis wrote her daughter, her adopted daughter and two grandsons out of her will after "My Mother's Keeper"In 1985 Bette Davis's daughter, Barbara "B.D." Hyman, published My Mother's Keeper.Internet Archive and 2 moreRainer Werner Fassbinder: PER51895 0611982 · Munich, West GermanyFassbinder's first wife said the head of his foundation invented a marriage to him to control his estate, and 25 colleagues demanded she resignRainer Werner Fassbinder died in Munich on 10 June 1982, aged 37, leaving about 40 films and many plays. His copyrights passed to his mother, Liselotte Eder, and his father, Helmuth Fassbinder.presseportal.de and 3 moreKen Takakura: 国際情報社『映画情報』第31巻1月号(1966)より高倉健2014 · Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, JapanKen Takakura's adopted daughter cremated him before his family knew he had died, and inherited his estate and film rightsKen Takakura, born Oda Takeichi, made 205 films. In 2013 he adopted Takatsuki Oda, a former actress 33 years younger who had lived with him since 1997. As his adopted child she became his heir.friday.kodansha.co.jp and 3 more