Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Amid fame, private turmoil for aging Marvel mastermind
LOS ANGELES — It has been another epic year for characters Stan Lee helped create, with “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War” earning more than $3 billion combined globally and “Ant-Man and the Wasp” still to open next week, all three featuring cameos by the Marvel Comics mastermind.
But for Lee himself, the past year has been tumultuous. After the death last July of Joan, his wife of 69 years and partner in all things, Lee, 95, finds himself in the middle of a fight over his finances and legacy that has led to lawsuits, a restraining order and an investigation of elder abuse.
His exact circumstances may be unique, but Lee’s status as a celebrity in declining mental health and vulnerable to exploitation has many precedents and may become increasingly common as a wave of wealthy baby boomers reaches old age.
Key to Lee’s situation is his only child, Joan Celia “JC” Lee, 68, dependent her entire life on her father, according to a sworn declaration signed by Lee in February that was drafted by attorney Tom Lallas.
Lallas was fired after drafting the declaration, and many of Lee’s longtime employees have been dismissed, said a February story in The Hollywood Reporter.
One of the “bad actors” named in the document, Keya Morgan, a memorabilia dealer, appeared to gain control over Lee’s affairs for several months. Morgan has denied that he has had any intentions other than helping Lee.
During that time, two lawsuits were filed seeking millions from Lee’s past business partners.
On May 30, Morgan left Lee briefly and returned to find that he was shut out as authorities interviewed Lee to investigate elder abuse.
Lallas returned and was granted an elder abuse restraining order against Morgan on June 13.
It’s unclear who is managing Lee’s affairs. A series of court hearings for Morgan next week on false emergency charges, a probation violation that his arrest triggered, and the restraining order, may bring clarity.
Morgan, 42, did not respond to emails seeking comment.