10 Stars Who Cut Their Children Out Of Their Wills
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can spark major family drama. When celebrities decide who inherits their fortune, the results are often jaw-dropping.
Some stars left kids out entirely, directing wealth to charities, second spouses, or setting up challenges to see who truly earned it. These high-stakes decisions reveal a side of Hollywood life rarely seen on screen, where loyalty, rivalry, and legacy collide.
Dive into the shocking stories of stars who rewrote the rules of inheritance, and see how fame, fortune, and family can create chaos as legendary as any blockbuster.
1. Joan Crawford
Hollywood’s golden age gave us unforgettable stars, but not all of them left behind warm family memories. Crawford’s will became infamous when she specifically wrote that two of her adopted children would get zero dollars.
Christina and Christopher were cut out “for reasons which are well known to them.” That cryptic phrase sparked curiosity everywhere. Christina later wrote “Mommie Dearest,” revealing a troubled relationship that shocked fans worldwide and changed how people viewed the glamorous actress forever.
2. Tony Curtis
Ever watch “Some Like It Hot” and think about family feuds? Curtis, the heartthrob from that classic comedy, made headlines when his estate plan excluded all five biological children, including actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
His sixth wife, Jill Vandenberg, inherited everything instead. One daughter, Kelly, tried challenging the decision in court, but judges upheld his right to distribute wealth however he wanted.
Talk about a plot twist nobody saw coming in this Hollywood family saga!
3. Jackie Chan
Martial arts legend Chan kicked his inheritance plans into a whole different direction. With roughly $400 million to his name, you’d think his son Jaycee would be set for life, right?
Wrong!
Chan announced he’s donating his entire fortune to charity instead. His reasoning? “If he is capable, he can make his own money.” That’s some serious tough love from a guy who built his career on doing his own death-defying stunts without asking for help either.
4. Mickey Rooney
After nearly nine decades entertaining audiences, Rooney’s final act involved a surprising estate decision. His biological children received nothing from his modest $18,000 estate when he passed away.
Instead, everything went to his stepson, who had cared for him during his final years. Sometimes caregiving matters more than DNA, apparently.
The small estate value itself raised eyebrows, considering Rooney’s legendary career spanning silent films through modern movies. Family relationships proved more complicated than any script he ever performed.
5. Kirk Douglas
“Spartacus” may have fought for freedom, but Douglas chose philanthropy over family wealth transfer. His children, including mega-star Michael Douglas, weren’t cut out completely, but the lion’s share went elsewhere.
The Douglas Foundation received most of his fortune, focusing on charitable causes rather than creating trust fund kids. Michael probably wasn’t crying too hard, considering his own successful career.
Still, it showed that even Hollywood royalty believes in working for your own success rather than coasting on Dad’s money.
6. Jerry Lewis
Comedy legend Lewis didn’t leave his family laughing when his will became public knowledge. Six children from his first marriage found themselves completely disinherited, receiving absolutely nothing from their famous father’s estate.
His second wife and their adopted daughter inherited everything instead. The decision sparked debates about fairness and family obligations that continue today.
However you feel about it, Lewis made his wishes crystal clear, proving that even funny guys can make seriously tough choices about money and relationships.
7. Philip Seymour Hoffman
The brilliant actor behind unforgettable performances had strong feelings about trust funds. Rather than leaving his fortune directly to his kids, Hoffman gave the bulk of his estate to longtime partner Mimi O’Donnell.
His reasoning? He wanted his children building their own lives without relying on inherited wealth.
Though he passed away tragically young, his philosophy about self-reliance remained firm. Some might call it harsh, but Hoffman believed earning your own way builds character better than any inheritance check ever could.
8. James Brown
Feel good? Brown’s family sure didn’t when they learned about his estate plans.
The “Godfather of Soul” directed most of his wealth toward a trust benefiting underprivileged children in South Carolina and Georgia.
His own children launched years of legal battles over the inheritance, fighting for what they believed they deserved. Brown’s vision focused on education for kids who needed it most, not enriching his already-grown children.
The court fights continued long after his final performance, proving estate drama sometimes outlasts even the funkiest music legends.
9. Daniel Craig
Bond. James Bond.
But definitely not Bond’s inheritance philosophy! Craig, who portrayed 007 with style, has publicly stated his $160 million fortune won’t go to his kids.
Charitable causes will receive his wealth instead, because he finds the whole inheritance concept “distasteful.” That’s quite a statement from someone who played the world’s most sophisticated spy. Craig believes his children should forge their own paths, not live off Dad’s action movie paychecks.
Guess even secret agents have strong opinions about family money matters.
10. Sting
“Don’t Stand So Close to My Money” could be Sting’s message to his children. The rock legend has made it clear his kids shouldn’t expect a massive inheritance despite his enormous wealth and decades of musical success.
Sting prefers his children work for their own achievements rather than coasting on his fortune. His philosophy emphasizes self-reliance and personal accomplishment over handed-down riches.
Whether you agree or not, the former Police frontman is sticking to his principles about preparing kids for independent, successful lives.
