Mickey rooney history biography

American actor (1920–2014)

Mickey Rooney (born Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor. In a career spanning nearly nine decades, he appeared in more than 300 films and was among the last surviving stars of the silent-film era. He was the top box-office attraction from 1939 to 1941, and one of the best-paid actors of that era. At the height of a career ultimately marked by declines and comebacks, Rooney performed the role of Andy Hardy in a series of 16 films in the 1930s and 1940s that epitomized the mainstream United States self-image.

At the peak of his career between ages

Mickey Rooney was born Joe Yule Jr. on September 23, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York, and took the stage as a toddler in his parents’ vaudeville act at 17 months old. He made his first film appearance in 1926. The following year, he played the lead character in the first Mickey McGuire short film. It was in this popular film series that he took the stage name Mickey Rooney. Rooney reached new heights in 1937 with A Family Affair, the film that introduced the country to Andy Hardy, the popular all-American teenager. This beloved character appeared in nearly 20 films and helped make Rooney the top star at the box office in 1939, 1940, and 1941. Rooney also proved himself an excellent dramatic actor as a delinquent in Boys Town starring Spencer Tracy. In 1938, he was awarded a juvenile Academy Award.

Teaming up with Judy Garland, Rooney also appeared in a string of musicals, including Babes in Arms (1939)–the first teenager to be nominated for an Oscar in a leading role–Strike up the Band (1940), Babes on Broadway (1941), and Girl Crazy (1943). He and Garland immediately became best of friends. “We weren’t just a team, we were magic,” Rooney once said. During that time, he also appeared with Elizabeth Taylor in the now classic National Velvet (1944). Rooney joined the service that same year, where he helped to entertain the troops and worked on the American Armed Forces Network. He returned to Hollywood after 21 months in Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946), did a remake of a Robert Taylor film, The Crowd Roars called Killer McCoy (1947), and portrayed composer Lorenz Hart in Words and Music (1948). He also appeared in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Rooney played Hepburn’s Japanese neighbor, Mr. Yunioshi. A sign of the times, Rooney played the part for comic relief, which he later regretted feeling the role was offensive. He once again showed

Mickey Rooney (1920 – 2014)

Biography, Career and Movies

Joseph Yule Jr., known professionally as Mickey Rooney, was born on September 23, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, to a vaudevillian family. His parents were Nellie W. Carter, a chorus girl, and Joe Yule, a Scottish-born vaudevillian. Rooney began performing in his parents' vaudeville act as a toddler, which marked the beginning of a career in show business that spanned nearly his entire life.

Career Beginnings: Rooney's first film role was in the silent short film "Not to Be Trusted" in 1926. His breakthrough came in 1937 when he was cast as Andy Hardy in "A Family Affair." The character became so popular that it led to a long-running series of Andy Hardy films that made Rooney a household name.

Hollywood Stardom: During the late 1930s and early 1940s, Rooney was one of the most popular actors in Hollywood. He received an Academy Juvenile Award in 1939 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Babes in Arms" (1939). Rooney's collaborations with Judy Garland in musicals such as "Babes on Broadway" (1941) were particularly beloved by audiences.

Military Service: Rooney served in the U.S. Army during World War II, entertaining the troops and contributing to the war effort through performances and radio broadcasts.

Post-War Career: After the war, Rooney continued to act in both film and television. He received critical acclaim for his role in "The Bold and the Brave" (1956) and a Golden Globe for his performance in "The Black Stallion" (1979). He also appeared in numerous TV shows, earning an Emmy Award for his performance in "Bill" (1981).

Personal Life: Rooney's personal life was as eventful as his professional one. He was married eight times and had a total of 11 children. His marriages included high-profile unions with actresses Ava Gardner and Martha Vick