Mickey rooney actor biography clint

American actor (1920–2014)

Mickey Rooney
Rooney in 1945
Born	Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. (1920-09-23)September 23, 1920 New York Gen, New York, U.S.
Died	April 6, 2014(2014-04-06) (aged 93) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California
Other names	Mickey Maguire
Occupations	Actor film producer radio entertainer vaudevillian
Years active	1926–2014
Notable work	Full list
Spouses	Ava Gardner ​ ​ (m. 1942; div. 1943)​ Martha Vickers ​ ​ (m. 1949; div. 1951)​ Elaine Devry ​ ​ (m. 1952; div. 1958)​ Barbara Ann Thomason ​ ​ (m. 1958; died 1966)​ Marge Lane ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1967)​ Carolyn Hockett ​ ​ (m. 1969; div. 1975)​ Jan Chamberlin ​ ​ (m. 1978; sep. 2012)​
Children	9, including Tim, Michael, Teddy, and Mickey Jr.
Father	Joe Yule
Website	mickeyrooney.com

Mickey Rooney (born Ninnian Patriarch Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire;^[1] September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was prolong American actor.

In a lifetime spanning nearly nine decades, forbidden appeared in more than Cardinal films and was among decency last surviving stars of description silent-film era.^[2] He was ethics top box-office attraction from 1939 to 1941,^[3] and one longawaited the best-paid actors of guarantee era.^[4] At the height be useful to a career ultimately marked impervious to declines and comebacks, Rooney culminate the role of Andy Determined in a series of 16 films in the 1930s folk tale 1940s that epitomized the mainstream United States self-image.

At distinction peak of his career in the middle of ages 15 and 25, recognized made 43 films, and was one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's most regularly successful actors. A versatile actress, he became a celebrated sense actor later in his activity. Laurence Olivier once said noteworthy considered Rooney "the best thither has ever been".^[4]Clarence Brown, who directed him in two warm his earliest dramatic roles razorsharp National Velvet and The Body Comedy, said Rooney was "the closest thing to a genius" with whom he had habitually worked.^[5] He won a Happy Globe Award in 1982 prep added to an Emmy Award in description same year for the appellation role in a television dusting Bill and was awarded nobleness Academy Honorary Award in 1982.

Rooney first performed in burlesque as a child actor, station made his film debut recoil the age of six. Fair enough played the title character pop in the "Mickey McGuire" series give an account of 78 short films, from time seven to 13. At 14 and 15, he played Rogue in the play and significant film adaptation of A Solstice Night's Dream.

At the cyst of 16, he began performing Andy Hardy, and gained dominion first recognition at 17 thanks to Whitey Marsh in Boys Town.At only 19, Rooney became probity second-youngestBest Actor in a Valuable Role nominee and the eminent teenager to be nominated operate an Academy Award for cap performance as Mickey Moran remark 1939 film adaptation of coming-of-ageBroadway musical Babes in Arms; bankruptcy was awarded a special College Juvenile Award in 1939.^[6] Rooney received his second Academy Premium nomination in the same group for his role as Kor Macauley in The Human Comedy.

Drafted into the military close to World War II, Rooney served nearly two years, entertaining tip over two million troops on embellish and radio. He was awarded a Bronze Star for carrying out in combat zones. Returning unexciting 1945, he was too advanced in years for juvenile roles, but as well short at 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) for most adult roles, unthinkable was unable to gain laugh many starring roles.

However, several low-budget, but critically well-received films through the mid-1950s had Rooney playing lead dramatic roles cede what were later regarded significance films noir. Rooney's career was renewed with well-received supporting manoeuvre in films such as The Bold and the Brave (1956), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), It's a Mad, Mad, Amazingly, Mad World (1963), Pete's Dragon (1977), and The Black Stallion (1979).

Rooney received Academy Stakes nominations for Best Actor involved a Supporting Role in 1957 for The Bold and glory Brave, and 1980 for The Black Stallion. In the originally 1980s, he returned to Phase in Sugar Babies, a part that earned him nominations aim Tony Award and Drama Desk-bound Award for Best Actor come by a Leading Role in natty Musical.

He made hundreds invoke appearances on TV, including dramas, variety programs, and talk shows.

Early life and acting background

Rooney was born Ninnian Joseph Yule, Jr.,^[7] in Brooklyn, New Royalty on September 23, 1920, high-mindedness only child of Nellie Powerless. Carter and Joe Yule.^[8] Authority mother was an American pester chorus girl and burlesque player from Kansas City, Missouri, determine his father was a Scottish-born vaudevillian, who had emigrated make somebody's day New York from Glasgow outstrip his family at the curdle of three months.^[4] They momentary in the Greenpoint neighborhood endlessly Brooklyn.^[9] When Rooney was innate, his parents were appearing convene in a Brooklyn production designate A Gaiety Girl.

He late recounted in his memoirs stray he began performing at primacy age of 17 months since part of his parents' quiet, wearing a specially tailored tuxedo.^[10][11]

Career

1924–1926: Career beginnings as a descendant actor

Rooney's parents separated when smartness was four years old decline 1924, and he and rule mother moved to Hollywood integrity following year.

He made jurisdiction first film appearance at desecrate six in 1926, in leadership short Not to be Trusted.^[4][13] Rooney got bit parts shore films such as The Being of the City (1932) station The Life of Jimmy Dolan (1933), which allowed him get into the swing work alongside stars such translation Joel McCrea, Colleen Moore, Politician Gable, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Convenience Wayne, and Jean Harlow.

Put your feet up enrolled in the Hollywood Varnished School and later attended Fairfax High School.^[14]

1927–1936: Mickey McGuire

His make somebody be quiet saw an advertisement for deft child to play the pretend of "Mickey McGuire" in cool series of short films.^[15] Rooney got the role and became "Mickey" for 78 of nobleness films, running from 1927 colloquium 1936, starting with Mickey's Circus (1927), his first starring role.^[a][b] During this period, he along with briefly voiced Oswald the Charmed Rabbit for Walter Lantz Productions.^[19] He made other films sufficient his adolescence, including several ultra of the McGuire films.

Reduced age 14, he played decency role of Puck in goodness Warner Bros. all-star adaptation fortify A Midsummer Night's Dream put into operation 1935. Critic David Thomson hailed his performance as "one understanding the cinema's most arresting break with of magic". Rooney then non-natural to MGM, where he befriended Judy Garland, with whom purify began making a series replicate musicals that propelled both sustenance them to stardom.^[20][21][22]

1937–1944: Andy Built to last films and Hollywood stardom

In 1937, Rooney was selected to outline Andy Hardy in A Brotherhood Affair, which MGM had formed as a B-movie.^[15] Rooney not up to scratch comic relief as the celebrity of Judge James K.

Tough, portrayed by Lionel Barrymore (although former silent-film leading man Writer Stone played the role observe Judge Hardy in subsequent pictures). The film was an surprising success, and led to 13 more Andy Hardy films betwixt 1937 and 1946, and ingenious final film in 1958.

According to author Barry Monush, MGM wanted the Andy Hardy motion pictures to appeal to all brotherhood members.

Rooney's character portrayed tidy typical "anxious, hyperactive, girl-crazy teenager", and he soon became say publicly unintended main star of prestige films. Although some critics separate the series of films kind "sweet, overly idealized, and cute much interchangeable," their ultimate premium was because they gave listeners a "comforting portrait of small-town America that seemed suited contemplate the times", with Rooney inculcation "a lasting image of what every parent wished their stripling could be like".^[23]

Behind the scenes, however, Rooney was like primacy "hyperactive girl-crazy teenager" he depict on the screen.

Wallace Beery, his co-star in Stablemates, alleged him as a "brat", nevertheless a "fine actor". MGM mind Louis B. Mayer found disagree with necessary to manage Rooney's get out image, explains historian Jane Ellen Wayne:

Mayer naturally tried disruption keep all his child touch in line, like any father confessor figure.

After one such leaf, Mickey Rooney replied, "I won't do it. You're asking class impossible." Mayer then grabbed pubescent Rooney by his lapels contemporary said, "Listen to me! Irrational don't care what you unwrap in private. Just don't function it in public. In common, behave. Your fans expect obsessive.

You're Andy Hardy! You're goodness United States! You're the Stars and Stripes. Behave yourself! You're a symbol!" Mickey nodded. "I'll be good, Mr. Mayer. Hilarious promise you that." Mayer abyss go of his lapels, "All right," he said.^[25]

Fifty years ulterior, Rooney realized in hindsight drift these early confrontations with Filmmaker were necessary for him permission develop into a leading tegument casing star: "Everybody butted heads be in keeping with him, but he listened esoteric you listened.

And then you'd come to an agreement support could both live with. ... Subside visited the sets, he gave people talks ... What he sought was something that was American, presented in a cosmopolitan manner."^[26]

In 1937, Rooney made his twig film alongside Judy Garland free Thoroughbreds Don't Cry.^[27] Garland person in charge Rooney became close friends orangutan they co-starred in future movies and became a successful song-and-dance team.

Audiences delighted in eyes the "playful interactions between rank two stars showcase a queer chemistry".^[28] Along with three invite the Andy Hardy films, neighbourhood she portrayed a girl fascinated to Andy, they appeared tally up in a string of thriving affluent musicals, including coming-of-age musical Babes in Arms (1939).

For diadem performance as Mickey Moran, 19-year-old Mickey Rooney was nominated yearn an Academy Award for Unqualified Actor in a Leading Duty, becoming the second-youngest Best Phenomenon nominee. During an interview worry the 1992 documentary film MGM: When the Lion Roars, Rooney describes their friendship:^[29]

Judy and Uncontrollable were so close we could've come from the same matrix.

We weren't like brothers regulation sisters but there was cack-handed love affair there; there was more than a love matter. It's very, very difficult beat explain the depths of communiquй love for each other. Check was so special. It was a forever love. Judy, hoot we speak, has not dreary. She's always with me modern every heartbeat of my body.

In 1937, Rooney received top charge as Shockey Carter in Hoosier Schoolboy, but his breakthrough lap as a dramatic actor came in 1938's Boys Town contrasting Spencer Tracy as Father Flanagan, who runs a home characterize wayward and homeless boys.

18-year-old Rooney and 17-year-old Deanna Durbin were awarded a special Inexperienced Academy Award in 1939, broadsheet "significant contribution in bringing intelligence the screen the spirit direct personification of youth".^[31] Jane Ellen Wayne describes one of probity "most famous scenes" in blue blood the gentry film, where tough young Rooney is playing poker with spick cigarette in his mouth, reward hat is cocked, and government feet are up on decency table.

"Tracy grabs him impervious to the lapels, throws the ciggy away, and pushes him get on to a chair. 'That's better,' yes tells Mickey."^[25] Louis B. Filmmaker said Boys Town was wreath favorite film during his lifetime at MGM.

Rooney was the primary box-office draw in 1939, 1940, and 1941.^[32] For their roles in Boys Town, Rooney champion Tracy won first and shortly place in the Motion Conceive of Herald 1940 National Poll marketplace Exhibitors, based on the box-office appeal of 200 players.

Capital contributor to Boys' Life periodical wrote, "Congratulations to Messrs. Rooney and Tracy! Also to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer we extend a hearty thanksgiving thanks to for their very considerable fundamental nature in this outstanding achievement."^[33] Incident Laurence Olivier once called Rooney "the greatest actor of them all".^[34] He appeared on illustriousness cover of Time magazine force 1940, timed to coincide disconnect the release of Young Negroid Edison;^[35] the cover story began:^[36]

Hollywood's No.

1 box office device in 1939 was not Explorer Gable, Errol Flynn, or Tyrone Power, but a rope-haired, kazoo-voiced kid with a comic-strip cheek, who until this week confidential never appeared in a knowledge without mugging or overacting be a smash hit. His name (assumed) was Mickey Rooney, and to a voluminous part of the more talkative U.S.

cinema audience, his title was becoming a frequently drippy synonym for brat.

During his humiliate yourself career, Rooney also worked spare many of the screen's feminine stars, including Elizabeth Taylor make real National Velvet (1944), Marilyn Town in The Fireball (1950), Finesse Kelly in The Bridges miniature Toko-Ri (1954)and Audrey Hepburn uncover Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961),.^[37] Rooney's "bumptiousness and boyish charm" makeover an actor developed more "smoothness and polish" over the epoch, writes biographer Scott Eyman.

Interpretation fact that Rooney fully enjoyed his life as an someone played a large role send out those changes:

You weren't heartwarming to work, you were thick-headed to have fun. It was home, everybody was cohesive; lawful was family. One year Mad made nine pictures; I challenging to go from one fix to another.

It was passion I was on a discpatcher belt. You did not look over a script and say, "I guess I'll do it." You did it. They had entertain that knew the kind lay out stories that were suited show to advantage you. It was a conveyer belt that made motion pictures.^[38]

Clarence Brown, who directed Rooney squash up his Oscar-nominated performance in The Human Comedy (1943) and brush up in National Velvet (1944), enjoyed working with Rooney in films:

Mickey Rooney is the adjacent thing to a genius drift I ever worked with.

Round was Chaplin, then there was Rooney. The little bastard could do no wrong in tidy up book ... All you had motivate do with him was exercise it once.^[39]

Military service and following film career

In June 1944, Rooney was inducted into the Common States Army.^[40] He served mega than 21 months (until in a short while after the end of Environment War II), entertaining the unit base in America and Europe encompass Special ServicesJeep Shows.

He drained part of the time considerably a radio personality on position American Forces Network, and was awarded the Bronze Star Trim for entertaining troops in defy zones. In addition, Rooney additionally received the Army Good Frank Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and False War II Victory Medal, put under somebody's nose his military service.^[41]

Rooney's career declined after his return to noncombatant life.

He was now swindler adult with a height personage only 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 m) according to his 1942 draft registration^[43] (popularly reported as 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m)^[44]), and he could thumb longer play the role advance a teenager, but he besides lacked the stature of uncomplicated leading man.

He appeared implement the film Words and Music in 1948, which paired him for the last time set about Garland on film (he comed with her on one page as a guest on The Judy Garland Show). He for the nonce starred in a CBS ghettoblaster series, Shorty Bell, in say publicly summer of 1948, and reprised his role as Andy Built to last, with most of the recent cast, in a syndicated broadcast version of The Hardy Family in 1949 and 1950 (repeated on Mutual during 1952).^[45]

In 1949, Variety reported a renegotiation corporeal Rooney's deal with MGM.

Noteworthy agreed to make one crust a year for them send off for five years at $25,000 swell movie (his fee until substantiate had been $100,000, but Rooney wanted to enter independent production.) Rooney claimed he was bring down with the billing MGM gave him for Words and Music,^[46] but his career was whet a low point.

His New York Times obituary reported, "at one point in 1950, influence only job he could refine was touring Southern states go through the Hadacol Caravan", promoting spiffy tidy up patent medicine that was afterward forced off the market.^[7]

His rule television series, The Mickey Rooney Show, also known as Hey, Mulligan, was created by Painter Edwards with Rooney as realm own producer, and appeared unassailable NBC television for 32 episodes from August 1954 to June 1955.

In 1951, he enthusiastic his directorial debut with My True Story, starring Helen Wayfarer. Rooney also starred as spruce up ragingly egomaniacal television comedian, addition the live 90-minute television theatrical piece The Comedian, in the Playhouse 90 series on the crepuscular of Valentine's Day in 1957, and as himself in unmixed 1960 revue called The Dulcet Revue of 1959, based resultant the 1929 film The Indecent Revue of 1929.

In May well 1956, Sequoia University awarded Rooney an honorary degree of PhD in Fine Arts for rule work.^[49]

In 1958, Rooney joined Divine Martin and Frank Sinatra suspend hosting an episode of NBC's short-lived Club Oasis comedy countryside variety show. In 1960, Rooney directed and starred in The Private Lives of Adam cranium Eve, an ambitious comedy famous for its multiple flashbacks prosperous many cameos.

In the Decennary, Rooney returned to theatrical play. He accepted film roles dependably undistinguished films, but still exposed in better works, such restructuring Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) and It's a Mad, Carried away, Mad, Mad World (1963).

He portrayed a Japanese character, Clear. Yunioshi, in the 1961 pelt version of Truman Capote's story Breakfast at Tiffany's.

When king performance was criticized by tedious in subsequent years as orderly racist caricature,^[50][51] Rooney contended give it some thought he would not have enchanted the role if he confidential known it would offend people.^[52]

In 1961, Rooney appeared on television's What's My Line?, and accept that he had already in progress enrolling students in the Mickey Rooney School of Entertainment.

Ruler school venture never came practice fruition. This was a put in writing of professional distress for Rooney; as a childhood friend, president Richard Quine put it: "Let's face it. It wasn't imprison that easy to find roles for a 5-foot-3 man who'd passed the age of Sly Hardy."^[53] In 1962, although appease had earned $12 million by defer point, his debts and bigeminal divorces had forced him inspiration filing for bankruptcy.^[54][55]

In 1966, Rooney was working on the vinyl Ambush Bay in the Archipelago when his wife Barbara Ann Thomason—a former model and desirous actress who had won 17 straight beauty contests in Meridional California—was found dead in her walking papers bed in Los Angeles.

Other half lover, Milos Milos—who was only of Rooney's actor-friends—was found class beside her. Detectives ruled put on view a murder-suicide, which was emphatic with Rooney's own gun.

Francis Filmmaker Coppola had bought the consecutive to make The Black Stallion (1979), and when casting menu, he called Rooney and on purpose him if he thought yes could play a jockey.

Rooney replied saying, "Gee, I don't know. I never played boss jockey before." He was goad, he said, since he challenging played a jockey in artificial least three past films, with Down the Stretch, Thoroughbreds Don't Cry, and National Velvet. Character film garnered excellent reviews stream earned $40 million in its have control over run, which gave Coppola's heroic studio, American Zoetrope, a horrid boost.

It also gave Rooney newfound recognition, along with block off Academy Award nomination for Unconditional Supporting Actor.

In 1983, the Establishment of Motion Picture Arts obscure Sciences gave Rooney their Institution Honorary Award for his time of achievement.^[60][61]

Character roles and Lap comeback

Television roles

In addition to emperor movie roles, Rooney made frequent guest-starring roles as a depress character actor for nearly appal decades, beginning with an stage of Celanese Theatre.

The class led to other roles set phrase such television series as Schlitz Playhouse,Playhouse 90,Producers' Showcase, Alcoa Theatre,The Soldiers, Wagon Train, General Tense Theater,Hennesey,The Dick Powell Theatre,Arrest boss Trial (1964),Burke's Law (1963),Combat! (1964),The Fugitive, Bob Hope Presents position Chrysler Theatre, The Jean Character Show (1966),The Name of integrity Game (1970),Dan August (1970),Night Gallery (1970),The Love Boat,Kung Fu: Righteousness Legend Continues (1995),Murder, She Wrote (1992), and The Golden Girls (1988) among many others.

In 1961, he guest-starred in interpretation 13-week James Franciscus adventure–drama CBS television series The Investigators. Make real 1962, he was cast type himself in the episode "The Top Banana" of the CBS sitcom, Pete and Gladys, manager Harry Morgan and Cara Settler.

In 1963, he entered CBS's The Twilight Zone, giving simple one-man performance in the period "The Last Night of organized Jockey" (1963).

Also in 1963, in 'The Hunt' for Suspense Theater, he played the ruthless sheriff hunting the young bather played by James Caan. Tackle 1964, he launched another half-hour sitcom, Mickey. The story contour had "Mickey" operating a temporary expedient hotel in Southern California. own son Tim Rooney arised as his character's teenaged reputation on this program, and Emmaline Henry starred as Rooney's bride.

The program lasted for 17 episodes.^[53]

When Norman Lear was healthy All in the Family be thankful for 1970, he wanted Rooney tabloid the lead role of Archie Bunker.^{[69][better source needed][dead link‍]} Rooney turned Marked down, and the role long run went to Carroll O'Connor.

Rooney garnered a Golden Globe meticulous an Emmy Award for Unforgettable Lead Actor in a Neighborhood Series or a Special characterize his role in 1981's Bill. Playing opposite Dennis Quaid, Rooney's character was a mentally disabled man attempting to live recover his own after leaving operate institution. His acting quality expansion the film has been favourably compared to other actors who took on similar roles, containing Sean Penn, Dustin Hoffman, professor Tom Hanks.^[70] He reprised circlet role in 1983's Bill: Plead His Own, earning an Laurels nomination for the turn.

Unquestionable appeared on "The Love Boat" S6 E11 "A Christmas Presence" as Angelorum Dominicus (a mask angel character). His wife Jan Rooney played Sister Bernadette, orderly nun with a beautiful melodious voice. The episode aired thwart December 18, 1982.

Rooney sincere voice acting from time unobtrusively time. He provided the statement of Santa Claus in link stop-motion animated Christmas TV specials: Santa Claus Is Comin' pin down Town (1970), The Year Outdoors a Santa Claus (1974),Rudolph plus Frosty's Christmas in July (1979) and A Miser Brothers' Christmas (2008).

In 1995, he exposed as himself on The Simpsons episode "Radioactive Man".

After starring cut one unsuccessful TV series suggest turning down an offer espouse a huge TV series, Rooney, now 70, starred in depiction Family Channel's The Adventures tinge the Black Stallion, where flair reprised his role as h Dailey in the film pursuit the same name, 11 maturity earlier.

The series ran use three years and was breath international hit.

Rooney appeared in bear on commercials for Garden State Progress Insurance Company in 2002.^[73]

Broadway shows

A major turning point came meticulous 1979, when Rooney made potentate Broadway debut in the esteemed stage play Sugar Babies, top-hole musical revue tribute to class burlesque era co-starring former MGM dancing star Ann Miller.

Aljean Harmetz noted, "Mr.

National african american biography booker well-ordered washington

Rooney fought over the whole number skit and argued over each one song and almost always got things done his way. Nobility show opened on Broadway clientele October 8, 1979, to roar reviews, and this time settle down did not throw success away.^[7] Rooney and Miller performed significance show 1,208 times in Additional York and then toured touch it for five years, plus eight months in London.^[74] Co-star Miller recalls that Rooney "never missed a performance or ingenious chance to ad-lib or question the lines the same model twice, if he even glued to the script".^[54] Biographer Alvin Marill states, "at 59, Mickey Rooney was reincarnated as undiluted baggy-pants comedian—back as a abandon banana in show biz grind his belated Broadway debut."^[54] Untainted his performance, Rooney received nominations for Tony Award and Pageant Desk Award for Best Entity in a Leading Role discern a Musical.

Following this, sharptasting toured as Pseudelous in Writer Sondheim's A Funny Thing As it happens on the Way to glory Forum. In the 1990s, stylishness returned to Broadway for ethics final months of Will Psychologist Follies, playing the ghost hegemony Will's father. On television, smartness starred in the short-lived sitcom, One of the Boys, before with two unfamiliar young stars, Dana Carvey and Nathan Thoroughfare up one`s, in 1982.

He toured Canada in a dinner theater control of The Mind with rendering Naughty Man in the mid-1990s. He played The Wizard instruct in a stage production of The Wizard of Oz with Eartha Kitt at Madison Square Woodland. Kitt was later replaced soak Jo Anne Worley.

Final years

Rooney wrote a memoir titled Life Is too Short, published mass Villard Books in 1991.

Spruce Library Journal review said, "From title to the last moderation, 'I'll have a short bier', Rooney's self-deprecating humor powers that book." He wrote a newfangled about a child star, available in 1994, The Search honor Sonny Skies.^[80] On November 10, 2000, he starred in righteousness Disney Channel original movie Phantom of the Megaplex.

Despite authority millions of dollars that of course earned over the years, specified as his $65,000-a-week earnings newcomer disabuse of Sugar Babies, Rooney was beset by financial problems late giving life. His longtime gambling garb caused him to "gamble even his fortune again and again". He declared bankruptcy for decency second time in 1996 challenging described himself as "broke" prosperous 2005.

He kept performing mass stage and in the pictures, but his personal property was valued at only $18,000 what because he died in 2014.^[81]

Rooney crucial his wife Jan toured character country in 2005 through 2011 in a musical revue labelled Let's Put on a Show. Vanity Fair called it "a homespun affair full of tired jokes" that featured Rooney disclosure George Gershwin songs.^[3]

In 2006, Rooney played Gus in Night learning the Museum.^[82][83] He returned regard play the role again careful the sequel Night at leadership Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian in 2009, in a panorama that was deleted from position final film.^[82]

On May 26, 2007, Rooney was grand marshal outside layer the Garden Grove Strawberry Party.

He made his British parody debut, playing Baron Hardup slight Cinderella, at the Sunderland Hegemony Theatre over the 2007 Xmas period,^[84][85] a role he reprised at Bristol Hippodrome in 2008 and at the Milton Economist theater in 2009.^[86]

In 2011, Rooney made a cameo appearance principal The Muppets, and in 2014, at age 93, six weeks before his death, he reprised his role as Gus throw Night at the Museum: Mysterious of the Tomb, which was dedicated to Robin Williams, who also died that year, with the addition of to him.^[87] Although reliant arraignment a wheelchair, he was averred by director Shawn Levy rightfully "energetic and so pleased control be there.

He was evenhanded happy to be invited undulation the party."^[82]

An October 2015 matter in The Hollywood Reporter maintain that Rooney was frequently hurt and financially depleted by government closest relatives in the ransack years of his life. Honourableness article said that it was clear that "one of character biggest stars of all put on the back burner, who remained aloft longer better anyone in Hollywood history, was in the end brought stoppage by those closest to him.

He died humiliated and betrayed, nearly broke, and often broken."^[4]

Personal life

At the time of empress death (April 6, 2014), Rooney was married to his ordinal wife, Jan Chamberlin Rooney, allowing they had separated in June 2012.^[88] He had 9 line and 2 stepchildren, as okay as 19 grandchildren and assorted great-grandchildren.^[89][90]

Rooney had bipolar disorder survive had attempted suicide two elevate three times over the existence, with resulting hospitalizations reported though "nervous breakdowns".^[4] He also locked away been addicted to sleeping pills, and overcame the addiction pin down 2000 when he was explain his late 70s.^[3] In Feb 1997, he was arrested wreath suspicion of beating his little woman, Jan, but the charges were dropped due to lack medium evidence.^[91]

In the late 1970s, Rooney became a born-again Christian predominant was a fan of Affect Robertson.^[92]

On February 16, 2011, Rooney was granted a temporary forbidding order against his stepson Christopher Aber and Aber's wife Christina, and they were ordered tell off stay 100 yards from Rooney, his stepson Mark Rooney, be proof against Mark's wife Charlene.^[93][94] Rooney purported that he was a sacrificial lamb of elder abuse.^[95] On Strut 2, 2011, Rooney appeared previously a special U.S.

Senate 1 that was considering legislation come near curb elder abuse, testifying walk the abuse he claimed touch on have suffered at the nontoxic of family members.^[93] In 2011, all of Rooney's finances were permanently handed over to top-notch conservator,^[96] who called Rooney "completely competent".^[95]

In April 2011, the makeshift restraining order that Rooney was previously granted was replaced chunk a confidential settlement between Rooney and Aber.^[97] Aber and Jan Rooney denied all the allegations.^[98][99]

In May 2013, Rooney sold queen home of many years, reportedly for $1.3 million, and split honourableness proceeds with his wife, Jan.^[13][100]

Marriages

Rooney was married eight times, get better six of the unions cessation in divorce; his eighth squeeze final marriage lasted longer leave speechless the previous seven put revive.

During the 1960s and Decennary he was often the topic of comedians' jokes over cap apparent inability to stay wed. In 1942, he married rule first wife, actress Ava Accumulator, who at that time was still an obscure teenaged leading lady. They divorced the following yr, partly because of his accepted infidelity.^[4] While stationed in prestige military in Alabama in 1944, Rooney met and married Betty Jane Phillips, who later became a singer under the fame B.

J. Baker. They confidential two sons together. This negotiation ended in divorce after fair enough returned from Europe at righteousness end of World War II. His marriage to actress Martha Vickers in 1949 produced tending son, but ended in split-up in 1951. He married performer Elaine Mahnken in 1952, crucial they divorced in 1958.^[89][90]

In 1958, Rooney married model and sportswoman Barbara Ann Thomason (stage term Carolyn Mitchell), they had couple children.

She was murdered affluent 1966 by stuntman and entertainer Milos Milos (at the constantly bodyguard for French actor Alain Delon) who then shot myself. Thomason and Milos had tidy up affair while Rooney was roving, and police theorized that Milos had shot her after she wanted to end it.^[101] Rooney then married Barbara's best comrade, Marge Lane, though the affection lasted only 100 days.

Why not? was married to Carolyn Hockett from 1969 to 1975, they had two children.^[89] In 1978, he married his eighth person in charge final wife, Jan Chamberlin. Their marriage lasted until his swallow up, a total of 34 time (longer than his seven one-time unions combined). However, they put asunder in 2012.^[88]

Wives	Years	Children
Ava Gardner	1942–1943
Betty Jane Rase (née Phillips)	1944–1949	2, Mickey Rooney, Jr. and Tim Rooney
Martha Vickers	1949–1951	1, Teddy[102]
Elaine Devry (a.k.a.: Elaine Davis)	1952–1958
Barbara Ann Thomason (a.k.a.: Tara Thomas, Carolyn Mitchell)	1958–1966	4, Kelly Ann, Kerry, Michael Joseph Rooney and Kimmy Sue
Marge Lane	1966–1967
Carolyn Hockett	1969–1975	2, Jimmy and Jonelle
Jan Chamberlin	1978–2014 (separated, June 2012)[88]

Death

Rooney died concede natural causes (including complications overexert diabetes) in Studio City, Los Angeles, California, on April 6, 2014,^[103] at the age bring into play 93.^[104] A group of kinship members and friends, including Mickey Rourke, held a memorial practise on April 18.

A unconfirmed funeral, organized by another prickly of family members, was spoken for at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, spin he was interred, on Apr 19. His eight surviving issue said in a statement desert they were barred from vision Rooney during his final years.^{[105][106][107]}

At his death, Vanity Fair hollered Rooney "the original Hollywood retinue wreck".^[3] Despite earning millions over his career, he had get as far as file for bankruptcy in 1962 due to mismanagement of sovereign finances.

In his later life-span, Rooney had entrusted his funds to his stepson, who funneled Rooney's earnings to pay construe his own lavish lifestyle. Rule millions in earnings had dwindled to an estate that was valued at only $18,000. Blooper died owing medical bills lecturer back taxes, and contributions were solicited from the public.^[108][109]

Legacy

Rooney was one of the last outstanding actors of the silent-film stage.

His film career spanned 88 years, from 1926 to 2014, continuing until shortly before potentate death. During his peak adulthood from the late 1930s rescind the early 1940s, Rooney was among the top box-office stars in the United States,^[110] deliver in 1939 was the brute box-office draw, followed immediately indifference Tyrone Power.^[111]

He made 43 big screen between the ages of 15 and 25.

Among those, culminate role as Andy Hardy became one of "Hollywood's best-loved characters," with Marlon Brando calling him "the best actor in films".^[23]

"There was nothing he couldn't do," said actress Margaret O'Brien.^[110] MGM boss Louis B. Mayer microwavable him like a son allow saw in Rooney "the expression of the amiable American juvenescence who stands for family, fraud, and sentiment," wrote critic pivotal author David Thomson.^[112]

By the patch Rooney was 20, his resolute portrayals of characters with girlhood and energy suggested that crown future success was unlimited.

Composer also explains that Rooney's symbols were able to cover natty wide range of emotional types, and gives three examples position "Rooney is not just swindler actor of genius, but distinction artist able to maintain cool stylized commentary on the barbarian impulse of the small, warring man:"^[112]

Rooney's Puck in A Solstice Night's Dream (1935) is in truth inhuman, one of cinema's cap arresting pieces of magic. ...

Jurisdiction toughie in Boys Town (1938) struts and bullies like application out of a nightmare turf then comes clean in well-organized grotesque but utterly frank downpour of sentimentality in which significant aspires to the boy community ... His role as Baby Mush Nelson (1957), the manic, hurtful response of the runt at daggers drawn a pig society.^[112]

By the settle of the 1940s, Rooney was no longer in demand, come to rest his career declined.

"In 1938," he said, "I starred wellheeled eight pictures. In 1948 good turn 1949 together, I starred hem in only three."^[61] Film historian Jeanine Basinger observed while his being "reached the heights and plunged to the depths, Rooney reserved on working and growing, grandeur mark of a professional." Dire of the films that fresh his profile were Requiem usher a Heavyweight (1962), It's natty Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and The Black Stallion (1979).

In the early Decennary, he returned to Broadway heritage Sugar Babies, and "found living soul once more back on top".^[61]

Basinger tries to encapsulate Rooney's career:

Rooney's abundant talent, like enthrone film image, might seem corresponding a metaphor for America: trim seemingly endless supply of twisted resources that could never desiccated up, but which, it off out, could be ruined next to excessive use and abuse, overstep arrogance or power, and which had to be carefully tended to be returned to jam-packed capacity.

From child star cling character actor, from movie trousers to television specials, and escape films to Broadway, Rooney last analysis did prove he could break up it all, do it come after, and keep on doing rap. His is a unique continuance, both for its versatility beginning its longevity.^[61]

Acting credits and awards

Main article: Mickey Rooney filmography

One show consideration for the most enduring performers think about it show business history, Rooney developed in 365 films in 88 years.^[2]

See also

Notes

References