Arts & Entertainment

Mickey Rooney Will Be Buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

The actor died Sunday at the age of 93.

A judge today approved a settlement between Mickey Rooney's family members that avoids a battle over burial plans for the legendary actor.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lesley Green signed off on an agreement in which the 93-year-old former child star will be laid to rest at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. No date and time has yet been set, but the terms call for a small family gathering.

Rooney's stepson, Christopher Aber, and the stepson's wife, Christine, are barred from attending the services under the accord. Rooney settled a lawsuit before he died in which he accused the couple of elder abuse.

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Rooney died Sunday in Studio City, where he was living with his stepson, Mark Rooney, and his wife, Charlene. His death highlighted the tumultuous nature of the actor's family life, with members of his family immediately bickering over burial plans.

The body was taken to the mortuary at Forest Lawn cemetery Sunday afternoon. His estranged wife, Jan Chamberlin, and her son, Christopher Aber, later contacted Forest Lawn and tried to move the body, Michael Augustine, who served as Rooney's conservator since 2011, alleged in court papers filed Tuesday morning.

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Yevgeny Belous, one of Chamberlin's attorneys, said after today's hearing that his client is pleased with the settlement.

"All she wanted was for the family to come together and honor Mickey's wishes," Belous said.

In a sworn declaration, Chamberlin said she originally hoped Rooney could be buried next to his mother, but that she relented to achieve an amicable resolution. She also said she was grateful to Rooney's fans for their loyalty and  their supportive statements regarding the actor in the wake of his death.  

Vivian Thoreen, the attorney for Augustine, said the resolution "honors Mickey's wishes and intent."

Scott Ayers, a lawyer for seven of eight of Rooney's surviving children, appeared in court, but did not challenge the settlement. He said outside the courtroom, however, that his clients are reserving their rights and will make their wishes known later if necessary.

"They do want to participate," Ayers said.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery, the former Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, is adjacent to Paramount Studios.

—City News Service


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