Stan Lee’s late-in-life turmoil
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.
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.
Lallas was fired after drafting the declaration, and many of Lee’s longtime employees have been dismissed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Keya Morgan, a memorabilia dealer and Marilyn Monroe aficionado, appeared to gain control over Lee’s life and affairs for the next several months.
During that time, two lawsuits were filed seeking millions from Lee’s past business partners.
On May 30, Morgan left Lee’s side briefly and returned to find that he was shut out as detectives and a social worker interviewed Lee to investigate elder abuse.
Morgan called 911 to report the authorities as burglars, which led to his arrest and jailing on suspicion of reporting a false emergency.
Lallas returned and was granted an elder abuse restraining order against Morgan June 13. He wrote in the filing that Lee has shown severe impairment with his hearing, vision, short-term memory and judgment.
Shortly after the restraining order, Morgan tweeted: “For over 10 years, I have shown nothing but love, respect and kindness to Stan Lee and his wife, a fact he has repeated countless times. I have NEVER EVER abused my dear friend. Everything you read in the #FakeNews is pure malicious lies and I will 100 percent prove it.”
Morgan’s restraining order does not allege he engaged in physical abuse of Lee, but that he isolated him from associates, friends and relatives, which is considered a form of elder abuse.
None of the turmoil has kept Lee from making another of his signature cameos in the latest Marvel movie, “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” The film arrives in Philippine theaters this Wednesday.