Mickey Rooney Ended Up 'Helpless' & Having Only 1 Pair of Shoes - 1 Stepson Robbed Him While the Other Looked After Him

Mickey Rooney worked for nine decades as one of Hollywood's greatest actors, making hundreds of movies and shows. He had money, fame, talent, and many children, but claimed he spent the last few years of his life as an abused elderly, robbed, and humiliated because of his wife, Jan Chamberlin, and stepson, Chris Aber.

Born Joseph Yule Jr., Mickey Rooney came from humble beginnings as the son of separated parents. Then still a child, Rooney pursued an acting career and made his big-screen debut in 1926. He epitomized hard work, appearing on film and television for nine decades.

Rooney was famously known for his on-screen character, Andy Hardy, and made box office hits in the '30s and '40s. By the time he died on April 6, 2014, he was already a Hollywood veteran with over 300 film credits and several recognitions.

His daughter, Kelly Rooney, was a testament to her father's dedication to his craft. "We understood that [performing] was something he was born to do since he was 18 months old," she said. "He never really knew anything else."

While Mickey found success in the entertainment industry, seven of his eight marriages failed. He remained married to his eighth wife for over three decades. Sadly, Mickey suffered at the hands of his last wife, Jan Chamberlin, and stepson, Chris Aber.

Mickey's first marriage to Ava Gardner lasted slightly over a year before divorce. In 1994, he tied the knot with Betty Jane Baker, with whom he shared two children. However, due to incompatibility, they divorced in 1949.

While Mickey had several marriages, his most controversial one was with his eighth wife, Jan Chamberlin. The pair met through Mickey Rooney Jr., the actor's eldest son, when Chamberlin tried to make it as a singer.

After three years, the Hollywood legend met and married Elaine Devry. It took a year for them to fall in love with different people and, ultimately, divorce. While still married to Devry, Rooney had an affair with Barbara Ann Thomason. They tied the knot in 1968 and had one child, Kelly.

However, after learning of her husband's infidelity, Thomason formed a relationship with Yugoslavian actor Milos Milosevic. Sadly, Milosevic shot Thomason after learning she planned to reconcile with her husband. He used the same weapon to take his life in 1966.

Mickey's subsequent marriage was his shortest – he was wed to Marge Lane for 100 days. In 1969, at 48, he tied the knot with Carolyn Hockett. Their marriage also ended in divorce in 1975.

While Mickey had several marriages, his most controversial one was with his eighth wife, Jan Chamberlin. The pair met through Mickey Rooney Jr., the actor's eldest son, when Chamberlin tried to make it as a singer.

Despite their 18-year age difference, Chamberlin and Mickey became a couple. When they tied the knot, he officially gained two stepsons, Chris Aber and Mark Aber, from his wife. Unfortunately, Chris would be the primary reason Mickey had no resources and suffered in his old age, as the star revealed later on.

However, along the way, Chris saw an opportunity to make money from Mickey. During his final years, Mickey was physically and emotionally abused.

Mark, who would later care for Mickey, revealed that his mother always tried to reach fame and fortune. Mickey showed her the possibility of that. Although Mickey first had to move into their rental home, he eventually got back on track in his career and made money for them.

As Mark remembered, his stepfather "took us to nice dinners, taught us a lot about etiquette and all that stuff, exposed us to a lot of things, you know, horse racing and golf." Mickey became a good father figure to them.

Mark and Chris initially worked for their stepfather, who paid for their needs. However, along the way, Chris saw an opportunity to make money from Mickey. During his final years, Mickey was physically and emotionally abused.

Mickey Rooney Suffered at the Hands of His Wife and Stepson

Although Mickey's marriage did not end in divorce, it was nothing close to beautiful. He reportedly experienced abuse and humiliation from Chamberlin, who once compared their marriage to a chess game. "I'm not sure who will win," she said. "It'll probably be a stalemate." Meanwhile, Mickey said:

"Ever since I started going out with Jan, it's been one big, joyous fight. The reason we don't part: The fight isn't over yet."

Mickey worked hard until his last years but didn't bask in the fruits of his labor. Not only was he robbed of his own hard-earned money, but he was also physically abused.

After performances and appearances on television, Mickey would ask him or his wife how much they made, but they would either lie to him and say a small amount or tell him to keep quiet.

In February 2011, Michael Augustine was appointed as Mickey's temporary conservatorship after the actor's lawyers filed a complaint on his behalf.

His lawyers claimed that Mickey's stepson, who was also his assistant of 30 years, and his wife, Christina Aber, "threatens, intimidates, bullies, and harasses Mickey."

According to Mickey, Chris also withheld information regarding his stepfather's finances. All he would tell Mickey was that he had no more money. After performances and appearances on television, Mickey would ask him or his wife how much they made, but they would either lie to him and say a small amount or tell him to keep quiet.

Chris and Christina also reportedly coerced Mickey to sign over control of his assets, shouting at him when he refused. Mickey had no possession of any personal identification or access to his money. He also only had a single pair of shoes.

Chris and Chamberlin were also accused of depriving Mickey of food and medicine, leaving him "extremely fearful that Chris will become physically threatening against Mickey."

During a hearing, Mickey testified without dropping names. In tears, the senior revealed he no longer had control of making basic decisions concerning him and had an "unbearable" and "helpless" daily life. Simple tasks such as buying food were also prohibited.

Chris and Christina also reportedly coerced Mickey to sign over control of his assets, shouting at him when he refused. Mickey had no possession of any personal identification or access to his money. He also only had a single pair of shoes. He said:

"I got nothing! I'm a man! Where did it all go?"

He detailed his experience as an elder abuse victim and encouraged those like him to come forward with their story. Mickey said:

"I felt trapped, scared, used, and frustrated. Because of your love for other family members, you might feel hesitant to come forward, but I want to tell you this: You are not alone, and you have nothing to be ashamed of."

Mickey's stepson was also accused of stealing $8.5 million from the actor. In 2013, Augustine agreed to Chris and Christina's settlement of $2.9 million, which continues to be unpaid. According to Chris, his stepfather's lawyers "had to save face," so he made up a number to settle as advised by his attorneys.

Meanwhile, Augustine called out Chris for always spending lavishly in Hawaii. Chris later declared bankruptcy, but Augustine pursued his homeowner's insurance company.

The legal dispute resulted in a restraining order being served to Chris. Mickey did not see his stepson for three years until his passing. Mickey's other stepson, Mark, and his wife, Charlene, cared for the actor until his final days. According to Mickey's good friend, he looked better than ever under Mark's care.

After Mickey's death, Chamberlin and Chris lived off his pensions despite the actor's wishes not to subsidize his stepson's life. Chris alleged that he has no money.

Chamberlin was also prohibited from seeing her husband after several incidents where she was physically abusive. Once, she was found standing before him while Mickey was on the ground. She admitted to laying a hand on him because "that's the only way he learns."

During an interview, Chamberlin was visibly seen cutting off her husband several times as he answered. Amidst his frustration, his wife hurt him under the table, and Chamberlin loudly yelled in pain.

A video of the interview later surfaced online and became proof of Mickey's torment because of Chamberlin and Mark. He later told his narrative during interviews without holding back on what happened behind closed doors.

After Mickey's death, Chamberlin and Chris lived off his pensions despite the actor's wishes not to subsidize his stepson's life. Meanwhile, Chris alleged that he had no money.

Mickey's biological children, on the other hand, were cut from his will as he believed they could be financially independent.

Mickey Rooney's Children Fought over Their Father's Belongings after He Passed Away

Mickey passed away at 93 due to natural causes. He was in good spirits weeks before and was set to appear in films after his cameo in "Night at the Museum."

Mickey Rooney's body stayed in the mortuary until his final resting place was agreed upon. He initially bought plots at Westlake Village, where he was supposed to be buried with Chamberlin and Chris, but told Augustine that he no longer wanted to be with them after life.

However, Mickey did not have the resources to buy a different land to be buried. Fortunately, publicist and manager Roger Neal got Mickey a beautiful location facing the lake at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Despite his legendary career and decades-long hard work, Mickey died with only $18,000. He had a private funeral with no one in attendance, but Mickey Rourke was invited to see him off. Mickey was a fan of Rourke in his later years. After the funeral, "The Expendables" star said:

"It was a pathetic sight to see him in what looked like an $85 polyester gray suit, with his little hands folded, looking so tiny and all alone. I thought to myself, 'Wow, after all he accomplished, all he did, the effort that he put forward.'"

Mickey lived in Mark and Charlene's Studio City rental during his final months and received the proper care he deserved.

As for Mickey's biological children, they pursued some of their father's valuables and estate, including his 1939 juvenile Oscar. They also accused Chamberlin of depriving them of seeing their father.

Augustine commended Mark for caring for his stepfather more than Chris and Chamberlin did without compensation, as the actor no longer had resources.

They took him in for nearly three years despite the challenges of caring for a senior. Mark was part of the team working with Augustine to help Mickey.

Meanwhile, Chris claimed he worked at a grocery store and could no longer afford to dine out with his wife, even at Taco Bell. He never had nice words for his brother and instead claimed Mark and his wife saw Mickey as a means to live a better life.

Chris added that the couple thought Mickey would bring them fortune since they both earned low wages. His accusations angered Charlene, who claimed they had a house and jobs. Their quiet mission to save Mickey from abuse was out of the goodness of their heart and nothing more.

As for Mickey's biological children, they pursued some of their father's valuables and estate, including his 1939 juvenile Oscar. They also accused Chamberlin of depriving them of seeing their father.

The "Babes in Arms" star reportedly curated a revised testament before passing that left nothing to his biological kids and Chamberlin. Mickey's money went to Mark and his wife to show gratitude for all they had done for him.

Still, some of his children are happy to be known as Mickey's children. His daughter, Kelly, is proud to be the first girl who resembles his looks. "It's a real honor to look like my dad," she said. "I'm just grateful we had such a wonderful dad."

Mickey left a significant legacy in the entertainment industry that should have merited him a beautiful and comfortable life until the end. As Augustine believed, Mickey could have lived in the same village as Paul Newman with a multi-million net worth, had he been properly managed.