Friday, 9 May 2014

Rooney's widow contests late actor's will






Mickey Rooney, who started as a child star in vaudeville and went on to star in hundreds of movies and TV shows, has died at the age of 93. Mickey Rooney, who started as a child star in vaudeville and went on to star in hundreds of movies and TV shows, has died at the age of 93.

Rooney circa 1927 in a three-piece suit. The actor got his start in his parents' vaudeville show. Rooney circa 1927 in a three-piece suit. The actor got his start in his parents' vaudeville show.

Rooney, center, is seen with fellow young Hollywood actors Jackie Cooper, right, and Freddie Bartholomew circa 1930.Rooney, center, is seen with fellow young Hollywood actors Jackie Cooper, right, and Freddie Bartholomew circa 1930.

Mickey Rooney stars with Judy Garland and Ronald Sinclair in a scene from the comedy "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry." Mickey Rooney stars with Judy Garland and Ronald Sinclair in a scene from the comedy "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry."

Rooney is seen in 1938 in a portrait shot for "Out West with the Hardys."Rooney is seen in 1938 in a portrait shot for "Out West with the Hardys."

Rooney garnered acclaim for his role in 1938's "Boys Town" with Spencer Tracy. Rooney garnered acclaim for his role in 1938's "Boys Town" with Spencer Tracy.

Rooney hold hands with Garland in a 1940 still from the film "Andy Hardy Meets Debutante."Rooney hold hands with Garland in a 1940 still from the film "Andy Hardy Meets Debutante."

Rooney talks with Lana Turner in the late 1930s.Rooney talks with Lana Turner in the late 1930s.

Rooney and his first wife, American actress Ava Gardner, in the early 1940s.Rooney and his first wife, American actress Ava Gardner, in the early 1940s.

Rooney dressed as Pinocchio for a 1957 television movie. Rooney dressed as Pinocchio for a 1957 television movie.

Rooney took a two-year break from making movies while he served in World War II. Rooney took a two-year break from making movies while he served in World War II.

Rooney made his directorial debut in 1951's "My True Story."Rooney made his directorial debut in 1951's "My True Story."

Rooney earned an Oscar nomination for his role in the World War II film "The Bold and the Brave" in 1956. Rooney earned an Oscar nomination for his role in the World War II film "The Bold and the Brave" in 1956.

Rooney played the title role in 1957's "Baby Face Nelson."Rooney played the title role in 1957's "Baby Face Nelson."

In 1961, Rooney took on the infamous role as an Asian landlord in "Breakfast at Tiffany's."In 1961, Rooney took on the infamous role as an Asian landlord in "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Rooney appeared in 1977's "Pete's Dragon" with Sean Marshall.Rooney appeared in 1977's "Pete's Dragon" with Sean Marshall.

Rooney co-starred in 1979's "The Black Stallion" with Kelly Reno.Rooney co-starred in 1979's "The Black Stallion" with Kelly Reno.

Rooney tries on a feathered hat in his dressing room during a run of the play "Sugar Babies" in October 1979. He was nominated for a Tony for the role. Rooney tries on a feathered hat in his dressing room during a run of the play "Sugar Babies" in October 1979. He was nominated for a Tony for the role.

Rooney is seen with Raquel Welch in 1980 from the ABC series "Raquel."Rooney is seen with Raquel Welch in 1980 from the ABC series "Raquel."

Rooney appears in 2006's "Night at the Museum" with Dick Van Dyke and Bill Cobbs.Rooney appears in 2006's "Night at the Museum" with Dick Van Dyke and Bill Cobbs.








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  • A lawyer for Jan Rooney says she's filing objections over Mickey Rooney's will

  • The will left Rooney's estate to a stepson and nothing to his wife or other children

  • A hearing to start the process of probating the will is set for Monday




(CNN) -- The lawyer representing Mickey Rooney's wife says he plans to be in Los Angeles County Probate Court Monday morning to argue against the validity of a will the actor signed just weeks before his death.


The will left Rooney's estate to a stepson and nothing to his wife or other children.


Attorney Eugene Belous said Jan Rooney will file objections Friday morning, arguing that the will contains "a blatant misstatement" about agreements between her, the actor and his conservator.


"There is NO provision in either of the two settlement agreements ... that terminates or in any way effects (her) rights as surviving spouse," Belous said.


A court filing says Jan Rooney signed an agreement waiving all claims to her husband's estate after the couple separated in June 2012 after 34 years of marriage.


Although Rooney disinherited his children, his wife and all but one of her children in a will he signed just weeks before his death, court papers suggest there is not much in his estate to fight over. His personal property is valued at just $18,000 despite an unmatched 90-year film career.


The will signed by Rooney on March 11, 2014, left the entire estate to stepson Mark Rooney, one of Jan Rooney's sons, who was the actor's caretaker the last two years of his life. He died on April 7.


Rooney "intentionally omitted" and disinherited his eight surviving biological children and two other stepchildren from his last marriage, the will said.


Rooney had no negative feelings toward his surviving children, but they were all financially better off than he was, conservator Michael Augustine said. He believed what little he had to leave should go to Mark Rooney and his wife, because they had been taking good care of him in the final two years, Augustine said.


A hearing is scheduled for Monday to start the process of probating the actor's will.


An attorney for Mickey Rooney's children is also contesting the will, Belous said.


Augustine did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.



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