Mickey Rooneys Death

Mickey Rooney died at age 93 in California, on April 6, 2014.





Death
 Mickey Rooney died in his sleep at his stepson Mark Rooney's home in Los Angeles, California on April 6, 2014 at the age of 93.  He had gone for a nap after lunch, and family members called 911 when they sought to wake him and his breathing seemed labored. He was declared dead at 4 p.m. Rooney was survived by his wife of 37 years, Jan Chamberlain, from whom he was separated, as well as eight surviving children, two stepchildren, nineteen grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Rooney signed his will several weeks prior to his death. It disinherited all but one of his nine children and his wife Jan, from whom he was estranged, and instructed his lawyer, rather than family, to manage his estate.  Rooney's lawyer disclosed that his client wanted to purchase a burial plot, but was unable to afford one. His estate had dwindled to $18,000, which was left to stepson Mark Rooney, the son of Jan Rooney. At the time of his death, Rooney owed back taxes to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board.  Rooney's talent agency, CMG Worldwide, said that medical bills were also owed and that contributions from the public were being accepted, with proceeds "donated to help assist with the debts and expenses of Mickey’s estate.”  Jan Rooney and seven of Rooney's eight biological children later filed separate court actions contesting the will. After his death, family members clashed over his burial and a court hearing on the matter was scheduled for April 11, 2014.  On April 10, family members resolved their dispute, deciding he would be buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery . Rooney's conservator and Jan Rooney agreed to collaborate on a small funeral for family members, but with Christopher and Christina Aber, whom Rooney had accused of abuse, not be permitted to attend. The settlement headed off a potentially expensive lawsuit. His lawyer said that "Mickey had enough lawsuits in life for 10 people; the last thing he needs is for one over where he'll be buried.”  A group of family members and friends of Rooney, including Mickey Rourke, held a memorial service on April 18. A private funeral, organized by another set of family members, was held at the cemetery on April 19. His eight surviving children said in a statement that they were barred from seeing Rooney during his final years.