Amid public triumph, private turmoil for Stan Lee

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 the clever cameos beloved by devoted fans of the Marvel Comics mastermind.

But for Lee himself, the past year has been tough and tumultuous. After the death last July of Joan, his wife of 69 years and partner in all things, the 95-yearold has found himself in the middle of a fight over his finances and legacy that has led to lawsuits, a restraining order and a police 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.

Into the void left behind by Joan Lee poured many acquaintances seeking a part of her popular and accommodating husband, and holdings his lawyer estimates are worth between $50 million to $70 million.

Probate attorney Troy Martin, who has worked on the cases of many late-in-life celebrities, including Casey Kasem, said Lee’s circumstances made him a compelling target.

“He’s going through the grief of a wife he relied upon. He’s always had the reputation for being a people pleaser, and you add his grief to, at 95, some cognitive difficulties, it makes him vulnerable,” said Martin, who is not involved in Lee’s case.

Key to Lee’s situation is his only child, 68-year-old Joan Celia “JC” Lee, who has been dependent her entire life on her father, according to a sworn declaration signed by Lee in February that was drafted by attorney Tom Lallas.

Several “bad actors with bad intentions ... have insinuated themselves into relationships with JC ... to try to take advantage of me to gain control of my assets, property and money,” the declaration said.

Lallas was fired after drafting the declaration, and many of Lee’s longtime employees have been dismissed, according to a February story in The Hollywood Reporter.

One of the “bad actors” named in the document, Keya Morgan, a memorabilia dealer and Marilyn Monroe aficionado, appeared to gain control over Lee’s life and affairs for the next several months. Morgan has vehemently denied that he has had any intentions other than helping Lee. DEAR PET LOVER » I’m sure my readers will be grateful for your timely reminder. And while we’re on the subject of lost pets, this would be a good time to ensure that your dog (or cat) is properly identified with a microchip or ID tag in case it does manage to get away from you.