16 celebrities who plan on leaving their fortunes to charity — and 3 who already have

Kirk Douglas donated after his death, and Jackie Chan plans to.Frazer Harrison/Jerod Harris/FilmMagic/Getty Images

• Rather than give their money to friends or family after their deaths, some celebrities have chosen to give their earnings to charity.
• Kirk Douglas, who died in February, reportedly donated the bulk of his $61 million fortune to charities through the Douglas Foundation.
• Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have said they plan to leave their money to charity after their deaths.

With fortunes in the tens of millions and even billions of dollars, many celebrities have decided that their money can best be spent through charitable donations after they die.

Some have said they don't want to ruin their children's lives by giving them too much money, and that their money is better left to charity.

Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael Bloomberg, George Lucas, Ted Turner, and Warren Buffett have all signed the the Giving Pledge, which means they have promised to donate a majority of their wealth throughout their lifetime, or after their death.

Take a look at the charitable celebrities who have chosen to share their wealth with those who need it.