10 Celebrity Conservatorships You Didn't Know About

10 Celebrity Conservatorships You Didnt Know About
Welcome to MsMojo, and today were looking at famous faces who have spent time living under conservatorships.
Amanda Bynes
This former Nickelodeon actress was fronting her own show at thirteen and soon progressed to Hollywood stardom. On screen, Bynes had a gift for comedy, but as the pressures of fame took over, her personal life was no longer a laughing matter. In the early 2010s, Bynes quit acting due to body-image issues and started misusing Adderall. She racked up multiple dangerous driving and substance charges, as well as a reputation for bizarre tweets and erratic behaviours. In 2014, she was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and placed under conservatorship with her parents. For the next nine years, Bynes worked towards her sobriety as well as exploring new creative avenues, including a degree in fashion. Her conservatorship was terminated in 2022.
Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem was the original voice actor for Shaggy in Scooby-Doo and a beloved radio personality, hosting the US Top 40 for over thirty years. Towards the end of his life, Kasem endured Lewy body disease, a form of dementia. What followed was an ugly and very public dispute between Kasems second wife, who was in charge of his care, and the children from his first marriage. Their stepmother prevented Kasems children from having any contact with their father, but after a prolonged fight, his daughter Kerri was granted a temporary conservatorship and visitation rights for the family. Kasem died less than a month later. Kerri Kasem has since fought to protect the rights of families in similar situations.
Peter Falk
In 2008, it was reported that Columbo star Peter Falk had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. A year later, following a two-day trial in Los Angeles, his second wife, Shera Danese Falk, was granted conservatorship. As with Casey Kasem, it was alleged that Falks second wife would not allow certain family members to visit the former actor. One of his daughters has asserted that Falks children were not kept updated on their fathers condition, and not informed of his death or funeral arrangements. Like Kerri Kasem, Catherine Falk has fought for amendments in the law to help other families. In 2015, New York State passed Peter Falks Law, which provides new guidelines that conservators must adhere to.
Nichelle Nichols
Nichelle Nichols was most famous for her groundbreaking portrayal of Uhura in the original Star Trek series, but she was still acting into her eighties. In 2018, Nicholls was diagnosed with dementia, and her son, Kyle Johnson, petitioned for conservatorship. Johnson alleged that Nicholls former manager, and then caretaker, Gilbert Bell, had been abusing her financially. Bell said that Nicholls was being removed from her home against her will. Nicholls friend, Angelique Fawcette, pressed for visitation rights and was suspicious of both parties. However, she also asserted that Nicholls wish was always to live out the rest of her life in her own California home. Nicholls died at her sons home in New Mexico in 2022.
Brian Wilson
Not all conservatorships are controversial. Brian Wilsons was a more traditional arrangement. The Beach Boys founder and primary songwriter was living with a major neurocognitive disorder in his later years, taking medication for dementia. He had been cared for by his wife, but when she died, his family and management team filed for conservatorship. This was appointed to his long-term publicist and manager, although a stipulation was added that Wilsons children be informed and consulted on all medical decisions. His estate was already in a trust. In a group statement given at the time, Wilsons family said: Brian will be able to enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects. Wilson passed away a year later.
Randy Meisner
Randy Meisner was a co-founding member of the US rock band the Eagles, best known as their bassist and backing vocalist. He struggled with substance use after the bands rise to fame. In the final years of his life, it has been alleged that he faced bipolar disorder, traumatic brain injury, and alcohol induced dementia. In 2016, police were called to the house Meisner shared with his wife Lana after a domestic incident was reported. Later that night, Lana was found shot in the head. According to police, she had accidentally discharged the gun. Days later, Meisner himself petitioned a judge to be put under conservatorship with his friend Arthur Ford and accountant Tom DeLong. Meisner died in 2023.
Wendy Williams
Talk show host Wendy Williams was reportedly diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023. It was revealed that she had been placed under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey in 2022. According to Morrisseys legal team, three separate petitions were filed, leading to the conservatorship. One was from Williams son, one from her business manager, and another from a bank who had flagged suspicious activity on Williams accounts. However, both Williams niece and her former co-executive producer Suzanne Bass have been critical of the terms of the conservatorship. Discussing her guardian and judge, Williams told The View, They dont dress like me, they dont talk like me, they dont act like me I need them to get off my neck.
Joni Mitchell
In 2015, legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell endured a brain aneurysm, which left her briefly incapacitated and in need of care. Mitchells longtime friend Leslie Morris petitioned to become her temporary conservator. This would not put her in control of Mitchells estate or finances, but only allow her to make decisions regarding medical care and living arrangements, as there were no family members to step in. By 2018, Mitchell was making a good recovery and learning to walk again. By 2022, she was even ready to take to the stage, making a guest appearance at the Newport Folk Festival. The 13-song set included a guitar solo - another skill shed had to relearn from scratch.
Michael Oher
Fans of The Blind Side might be sad to hear that the real Michael Oher, on whom the film is based, filed a lawsuit against the Tuohy family in August 2023. Oher claimed that he was not actually adopted by the Tuohys. Instead, they created a conservatorship, which meant they were able to negotiate business deals in his name, including with the producers of The Blind Side. Oher says he didnt receive his fair share of the proceeds, while the family claimed that Michael tried to extort money from them, threatening to go to the press. Both parties agree that the film misrepresented Michael, which had a negative impact on his football career. A judge ended the conservatorship in September 2023.
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooneys acting career spanned eighty-eight years, from the silent film era to his appearance, aged 93, in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. But his life wasnt without struggles. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, plagued by substance use, and attempted to take his own life on more than one occasion. In his last years, he was reportedly a victim of elder abuse. Rooney trusted his finances to his stepson and wife, who cut him off from other family members and took advantage of him financially. In 2011, Rooney was granted a restraining order. His finances were handed to a conservator, who declared Rooney completely competent. In 2011, Rooney spoke before a US Senate committee, calling for stronger legislation against elder abuse.
Have you followed any of these celebrity stories? Let us know in the comments!