Child Stars Who Sued Their Parents for Stealing Their Fortune

Becoming famous when you’re young can bring a lot of money, but it can also cause serious family problems if financial gain is prioritized over a child’s well-being. Sadly, many young performers have discovered their parents misused the money they earned, which was supposed to be saved for their future. This often leads to public legal fights as these performers try to get back their money and become financially independent. The following people had to sue their own parents because of how their earnings were mismanaged or stolen.

Jackie Coogan

Despite earning around four million dollars as a child actor, he had no money left when he grew up. His mother and stepfather had spent almost all of his earnings on luxury items like diamonds and expensive cars. In 1938, he sued them, hoping to recover his money and reveal their irresponsible spending. While he won a portion of what remained, California law at the time allowed parents to control their children’s earnings. This case was important because it led to the creation of the California Child Actor’s Bill, which was designed to protect the finances of young performers.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman, known for his role on ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ learned his adoptive parents and business manager had spent a large portion of his money. In 1989, he filed a lawsuit accusing them of stealing his assets and poorly managing his finances. The case showed they had been using a significant amount of his earnings for themselves. After a long legal fight, Coleman won a judgment of almost $1.5 million. This lawsuit severely damaged his relationship with his adoptive parents, and they remained estranged until his death.

Macaulay Culkin

The actor who starred in ‘Home Alone’ became incredibly wealthy at a young age. When his parents went through a difficult divorce, he took legal action to protect his multi-million dollar fortune. He successfully asked the court to let him manage his own finances, appointing an accountant instead of his parents. This prevented his money from becoming part of the divorce battle and ensured it remained safe and secure for him.

LeAnn Rimes

The popular singer and actress sued her father and former manager in 2000, claiming they took over seven million dollars from her earnings through high fees and bad investments. Her father filed his own lawsuit, saying she owed him money. The family eventually reached a private settlement. Court papers revealed that her father and the manager had been living a luxurious lifestyle using her money, while her own finances suffered. After a long and complicated legal battle, she and her father were able to repair their relationship.

Mischa Barton

The actress first gained fame on the TV show ‘The O.C.’, and later sued her mother, Nuala Barton, over financial issues. She accused her mother of keeping money from her and using her name to sell handbags without her consent. She also claimed her mother forced her to move out of a house she’d bought with her own earnings. The lawsuit portrayed the mother as overly focused on profiting from her daughter’s career. Ultimately, they dropped the lawsuit and decided to resolve their issues privately.

Leighton Meester

Blake Lively, the actress from ‘Gossip Girl,’ recently won a lawsuit against her mother, Constance. Lively had sued, claiming her mother was using money meant for her younger brother’s medical care on cosmetic surgery. Constance countersued, alleging a broken contract and physical abuse, but the judge sided completely with Lively. The court found that there was no agreement requiring Lively to financially support her mother, securing Lively’s financial independence and protecting her income.

Jena Malone

When she was just fourteen, this actress sued her mother, accusing her of mismanaging her money and not paying taxes. She claimed her mother had emptied her college savings and spent much of the money she earned from acting. The court legally freed her from her mother’s control, allowing her to manage her own career and finances. Later, she discovered her mother had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars that should have been saved. Eventually, she successfully rebuilt her career and finances by separating her work from her family.

Dominique Moceanu

The Olympic gymnast sued her parents to get back control of the money she earned as a teenager. She claimed her father wasted her competition winnings and endorsement deals on poor investments and an extravagant lifestyle she disagreed with. The court legally declared her an adult at seventeen, giving her the right to manage her own finances. While she eventually made peace with her parents, the lawsuit was needed to stop them from spending her money irresponsibly. This situation brought attention to the fact that young athletes can be financially exploited in similar ways to child actors.

2025-11-20 11:15