Mickey Rooney
Born
September 23, 1920
Died
April 6, 2014 (93 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule Jr.; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor, vaudevillian, comedian, producer, and radio personality. In a career spanning nine decades and continuing until shortly before his death, he appeared in more than 300 films and was among the last surviving stars of the silent film era.
At the height of a career that was 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 American family values. A versatile performer, he became a celebrated character actor later in his career. Laurence Olivier once said he considered Rooney "the best there has ever been". Clarence Brown, who directed him in two of his earliest dramatic roles, National Velvet and The Human Comedy, said he was "the closest thing to a genius I ever worked with".
Rooney first performed in vaudeville as a child and made his film debut at the age of six. At 14, he played Puck in the play and later the 1935 film adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Critic David Thomson hailed his performance as "one of the cinema's most arresting pieces of magic". In 1938, he co-starred in Boys Town. At 19, he was the first teenager to be nominated for an Oscar for his leading role in Babes in Arms, and he was awarded a special Academy Juvenile Award in 1939. At the peak of his career between the ages of 15 and 25, he made 43 films, which made him one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's most consistently successful actors and a favorite of MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer.
Rooney was the top box-office attraction from 1939 to 1941 and one of the best-paid actors of that era, but his career would never again rise to such heights. Drafted into the Army during World War II, he served nearly two years entertaining over two million troops on stage and radio and was awarded a Bronze Star for performing in combat zones. Returning from the war in 1945, he was too old for juvenile roles but too short to be an adult movie star, and was unable to get as many starring roles. Nevertheless, Rooney's popularity was renewed with well-received supporting roles in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and The Black Stallion (1979). In the early 1980s, he returned to Broadway in Sugar Babies and again became a celebrated star. Rooney made hundreds of appearances on TV, including dramas, variety programs, and talk shows, and won an Emmy in 1982 plus a Golden Globe for his role in Bill (1981).
Known For
Showbiz Kids
Self (archive footage)
2020
Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood
(archive footage)
2019
Sid & Judy
Self (archive footage)
2019
Hollywood, The Dream Life of Lana Turner
Self (archive footage)
2019
Marilyn and I
Self (archive footage)
2019
Ava Gardner: Life Is Bigger Than the Movies
Self (archive footage)
2017
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Mr. Louis
2017
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Gus
2014
The Outrageous Sophie Tucker
Self
2014
The Voices from Beyond
Johnny O'Hara
2012
Driving Me Crazy
Mr. Cohen
2012
Treasure Train
2011
The Muppets
Smalltown Resident
2011
Night Club
Jerry Sherman
2011
Marilyn Monroe: I Want to Be Loved
Self
2010
Marilyn Monroe: Death of an Icon
Self
2010
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
(archive footage)
2009
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Self (archive footage)
2009
The Polio Crusade
Archive Footage (from March of Dimes)
2009
Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective
Self (archive footage)
2009
A Miser Brothers' Christmas
Santa Claus (voice)
2008
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History
Self
2008
Above the Line
(10 episodes)
2008
Lost Stallions: The Journey Home
Chief
2008
Judy Garland Duets
Self (archive footage)
2005
Judy Garland: By Myself
Self - Actor (voice)
2004
To Kill a Mockumentary
Max
2004
Illusion Infinity
Simon / Henry, Sr.
2004
Broadway's Lost Treasures
Mickey (segment "Sugar Babies")
2003
The Norm Show
(1 episode)
1999
Alone. Life Wastes Andy Hardy
Andy Hardy (archive footage)
1998
Internet Love
Self
1998
Mike Hammer, Private Eye
(1 episode)
1997
Conan the Adventurer
(1 episode)
1997
Sunset Boulevard - 27 Meilen Amerika
Self - Actor
1997
Private Screenings: Mickey Rooney
Self
1997
E! True Hollywood Story
(2 episodes)
1996
Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart
O.B. Taggart
1995
Brothers' Destiny
Father Flanagan
1995
ER
George Bikel · (1 episode)
1994
That's Entertainment! III
Self - Co-Host / Narrator
1994
Liberation
Self (archive footage)
1994
The Milky Life
Barry Reilly
1993
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
Harold Lang · (1 episode)
1993
Maximum Force
Chief of Police
1992
The Magic Voyage
Narrator (voice)
1992
MGM: When the Lion Roars
(3 episodes)
1992
The Adventures of the Black Stallion
(78 episodes)
1992
The Gambler: The Luck Of The Draw
The Director
1991
Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'
Self (archive footage)
1991
Adventures of the Black Stallion
Henry Dailey
1990
Anthony Quinn: An Original
Self (archive footage)
1990
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic
Self (archive footage)
1990
The Simpsons
Mickey Rooney (voice) · (1 episode)
1989
Bluegrass
John Paul Jones
1988
Full House
(1 episode)
1987
There Must Be a Pony
Himself (uncredited)
1986
Little Spies
James Turner
1986
The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn
Self
1986
The Golden Girls
Rocco · (1 episode)
1985
The Care Bears
(49 episodes)
1985
O’Malley
Mickey O’Malley
1983
Errol Flynn: Portrait of a Swashbuckler
Self
1983
The Emperor of Peru
The Engineer
1982
Night of 100 Stars
Self
1982
Hollywood’s Children
Self (archive footage)
1982
One of the Boys
(13 episodes)
1982
Senior Trip
Self
1981
My Kidnapper, My Love
The Maker
1980
From Raquel with Love
Paradise Cab Company cabbie
1980
Donovan's Kid
Bailey
1979
Mickey's 50
Self
1978
Find the Lady
Trigger
1976
That's Entertainment, Part II
(archive footage)
1976
Rachel's Man
Laban
1976
It's Showtime
Self (archive footage)
1976
Hooray for Hollywood
Narrator
1976
From Hong Kong with Love
Marty
1975
Ace of Hearts
Papa Joe
1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)
1975
The Intruder
Capt. Jenkins
1975
The Lion Roars Again
Self (uncredited)
1975
That's Entertainment!
Self - Host / Narrator
1974
The Godmothers
Rocky Mastrasso
1973
Journey Back to Oz
Scarecrow (voice)
1972
Richard
Guardian Angel
1972
Mooch Goes to Hollywood
Mickey Rooney (uncredited)
1971
Night Gallery
August Kolodney · (1 episode)
1970
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self · (1 episode)
1968
Vienna
1968
The Dean Martin Show
(2 episodes)
1965
Mickey
Mickey Grady · (17 episodes)
1964
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Singer · (1 episode)
1964
Kraft Suspense Theatre
Sheriff Williams · (1 episode)
1963
Burke's Law
Archie Lido · (1 episode)
1963
The Fugitive
Charlie Paris · (1 episode)
1963
The Match Game
Himself - Team Captain · (5 episodes)
1962
Combat!
Harry White · (1 episode)
1962
The Lucy Show
Mickey Rooney · (1 episode)
1962
Who Killed Julie Greer?
Mike Zampini
1961
The Dick Powell Show
Mike Zampini · (1 episode)
1961
Pete and Gladys
(1 episode)
1960
The Twilight Zone
Michael Grady · (1 episode)
1959
Rawhide
Pan Macropolous · (1 episode)
1959
Naked City
George Bick · (1 episode)
1958
Pinocchio
Pinocchio
1957
Magnificent Roughnecks
Frank Sommers
1956
The Steve Allen Show
Self · (1 episode)
1956
Screen Snapshots: Mickey Rooney, Then and Now
Himself
1953
The Oscars
Self · (2 episodes)
1953
General Electric Theater
Al Roberts · (1 episode)
1953
This Is Your Life
Self · (1 episode)
1952
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Red McGivney · (1 episode)
1951
The Colgate Comedy Hour
Self · (4 episodes)
1950
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self · (4 episodes)
1948
Show-Business at War
Self
1943
A Yank at Eton
Timothy Dennis
1942
Personalities
Andy Hardy (screen test footage) (uncredited)
1942
Rodeo Dough
Mickey Rooney
1940
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
Self
1940
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Self
1940
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Self
1940
Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics... and Other Things
Andy Hardy
1940
From the Ends of the Earth
Self
1939
Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8
Mickey Rooney
1939
Loews Christmas Greeting (The Hardy Family)
Andy Hardy
1939
Another Romance of Celluloid
Self (uncredited)
1938
March of Dimes
Mickey
1938
A Dream Comes True
Puck (archive footage) (uncredited)
1935
Pirate Party on Catalina Isle
Mickey Rooney
1935
The County Chairman
Freckles
1935
Death on the Diamond
Mickey
1934
Chained
Boy Shipboard Swimmer (uncredited)
1934
The Lost Jungle
Lead Boy at Circus
1934
Half a Sinner
Willie Clark
1934
Love Birds
Gladwyn Tootle
1934
I Like it That Way
Messenger Boy
1934
Beloved
Tommy, a Violin Student
1934
Mickey's Disguises
Mickey McGuire
1933
The Big Cage
Jimmy O'Hara
1933
Fast Companions
Midge
1932
The Beast of the City
Mickey Fitzpatrick (uncredited)
1932
Mickey's Busy Day
Mickey McGuire
1932
The Fisherman
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (voice)
1931
The Hare Mail
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (voice)
1931
Hot Feet
Oswald (voice) (uncredited)
1931
Radio Rhythm
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (voice)
1931
Mickey's Brown Derby
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Wild West
Mickey McGuire
1928
Mickey's Little Eva
Mickey McGuire
1928
Mickey's Battle
Mickey McGuire
1927
Mickey's Circus
Mickey McGuire
1927
Orchids and Ermine
Mickey McGuire
1927
Private Screenings
Self · (1 episode)
Celebrity Ghost Stories
Self · (1 episode)
2009
Empire State Building Murders
Mickey Silver
2008
A Christmas Too Many
Grandpa
2007
The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk
Self
2007
Night at the Museum
Gus
2006
Legends
Self · (1 episode)
2006
Hedy Lamarr: Secrets of a Hollywood Star
2006
The Thirsting
Savy
2006
The Happy Elf
Santa Claus
2005
The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams
David McCord
2005
American Dad!
Short Producer (voice) · (1 episode)
2005
Silent Hollywood: Cult, Stars, Scandals
Self
2005
Hollywood Legenden
Self
2004
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure
Sparky (voice)
2001
Phantom of the Megaplex
Movie Mason
2000
The First of May
Boss Ed
1999
Boys Will Be Boys
Wellington
1999
Babe: Pig in the City
Fugly Floom, the Speechless Man in Hotel
1998
Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights
Sage
1998
Michael Kael vs. the World News Company
Griffith
1998
Animals with the Tollkeeper
Tollkeeper
1998
Killing Midnight
Professor Mort Sang
1997
Remember WENN
Mr. Hardy · (1 episode)
1996
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
Self
1995
Revenge of the Red Baron
Grandpa Spencer
1994
The Our Gang Story
Self (archive footage)
1994
Making Waves
Gabriel
1994
Sweet Justice
Zeke
1993
The Legend of Wolf Mountain
Pat Jensen
1992
Jack's Place
(1 episode)
1992
Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker
Joe Petto
1991
Burt Reynolds' Conversations with...
Self · (1 episode)
1991
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Junion
1991
Home for Christmas
Elmer
1990
Erik the Viking
Erik's Grandfather
1989
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
Flip (voice)
1989
Lightning, the White Stallion
Barney Ingram
1986
The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer
Jack Bergan
1986
The Care Bears Movie
Mr. Cherrywood (voice)
1985
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
Self (archive footage)
1985
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Mike Halligan
1984
Murder, She Wrote
Matt Cleveland · (1 episode)
1984
Bill: On His Own
Bill Sackter
1983
This Is Your Life
Self · (1 episode)
1983
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1983
Showbiz Goes to War
(archive footage)
1982
Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers!
Self (archive footage)
1982
Bill
Bill Sackter
1981
The Fox and the Hound
Tod (voice)
1981
Leave 'Em Laughing
Jack Thum
1981
Creole
Narrator
1981
The Black Stallion
Henry Dailey
1979
Arabian Adventure
Daad El Shur
1979
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
Santa Claus (voice)
1979
The Magic of Lassie
Gus
1978
Pete's Dragon
Lampie
1977
The Love Boat
Dominicus Angelara · (1 episode)
1977
The Domino Principle
Spiventa
1977
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Santa Claus (voice)
1974
Thunder County
Gas Station Attendant
1974
Pulp
Preston Gilbert
1972
Fol-de-Rol
The Executioner / Noah
1972
Evil Roy Slade
Nelson L. Stool
1972
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Self (archive footage)
1972
The Manipulator
B.J. Lang
1971
Great Performances
Self · (1 episode)
1971
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Kris Kringle aka Santa Claus (voice)
1970
Hollywood Blue
1970
Dan August
Kenny O'Malley · (1 episode)
1970
The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County
Indian Tom
1970
80 Steps to Jonah
Wilfred Bashford
1969
The Comic
Cockeye
1969
The Extraordinary Seaman
Cook 3 / C W.J. Oglethorpe
1969
Skidoo
George 'Blue Chips' Packard
1968
Omnibus
Self · (1 episode)
1967
The Carol Burnett Show
Self - Guest / Various Characters · (2 episodes)
1967
The Danny Thomas Hour
Self · (1 episode)
1967
The Devil in Love
Adramelek
1966
Ambush Bay
Sgt. Ernest Wartell
1966
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
Peachy Keane
1965
Twenty-Four Hours to Kill
Norman Jones
1965
The Secret Invasion
Terence Scanlon
1964
The Hollywood Palace
Self · (1 episode)
1964
The Judy Garland Show
Self · (1 episode)
1963
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Ding 'Dingy' Bell
1963
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
Lefty Duncan · (1 episode)
1963
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
George M. Cohan · (1 episode)
1963
The Jerry Lewis Show
Self · (1 episode)
1963
Arrest and Trial
Hoagy Blair · (1 episode)
1963
Requiem for a Heavyweight
Army
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (7 episodes)
1962
Everything's Ducky
Kermit 'Beetle' McKay
1961
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host · (1 episode)
1961
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Mr. Yunioshi
1961
The Dick Powell Show
Augie Miller · (1 episode)
1961
The Dick Powell Show
Putt-Putt Higgins · (1 episode)
1961
King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein
Johnny Burke
1961
Platinum High School
Steven Conway
1960
The Private Lives of Adam and Eve
Nick Lewis / The Devil
1960
Startime
(1 episode)
1959
The Big Operator
Little Joe Braun
1959
The Last Mile
'Killer' John Mears
1959
Andy Hardy Comes Home
Andy Hardy
1958
A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed
Gus Harris
1958
Baby Face Nelson
Lester M. 'Baby Face Nelson' Gillis
1957
Wagon Train
Samuel T. Evans · (2 episodes)
1957
Operation Mad Ball
MSgt. Yancy Skibo
1957
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Self · (1 episode)
1957
Mr. Broadway
1957
The Comedian
Sammy Hogarth
1957
Playhouse 90
Sammy Hogarth · (1 episode)
1956
Francis in the Haunted House
David Prescott
1956
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Comedian · (1 episode)
1956
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1956
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee/Performer · (1 episode)
1956
The Bold and the Brave
Willie Dooley
1956
The Twinkle In God's Eye
Rev. William Macklin II
1955
The Atomic Kid
Barnaby 'Blix' Waterberry
1954
The Bridges at Toko-Ri
Mike Forney
1954
The Wonderful World of Disney
Old Bailey · (1 episode)
1954
The Wonderful World of Disney
James Turner (The Hermit) · (1 episode)
1954
December Bride
Self · (1 episode)
1954
The George Gobel Show
Self · (1 episode)
1954
Hey Mulligan
Mickey Mulligan · (32 episodes)
1954
Drive a Crooked Road
Eddie Shannon
1954
A Slight Case of Larceny
Augustus "Geechy" Cheevers
1953
All Ashore
Francis 'Moby' Dickerson
1953
Off Limits
Herbert Tuttle
1952
Sound Off
Mike Donnelly
1952
The Red Skelton Show
Self / Perry Masonjar · (1 episode)
1951
The Strip
Stanley Maxton
1951
My Outlaw Brother
J. Dennis 'Denny' O'Moore
1951
He's a Cockeyed Wonder
Freddie Frisby
1950
The Fireball
Johnny Casar
1950
The Jack Benny Program
Self / Killer Looney · (1 episode)
1950
The Bob Hope Show
Self · (1 episode)
1950
Quicksand
Daniel 'Dan' Brady
1950
What's My Line?
Self · (5 episodes)
1950
What's My Line?
Self - Panelist · (1 episode)
1950
The Big Wheel
Billy Coy
1949
Words and Music
Lorenz Hart
1948
Summer Holiday
Richard Miller
1948
Killer McCoy
Tommy McCoy / Killer McCoy
1947
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy
Andy Hardy
1946
Mickey the Great
Mickey McGuire
1945
National Velvet
Michael 'Mi' Taylor
1945
Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble
Andy Hardy
1944
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Accepting Special Award to Cantinflas · (1 episode)
1944
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Presenter · (3 episodes)
1944
Girl Crazy
Danny Churchill, Jr.
1943
Thousands Cheer
Himself - Emcee at the Show
1943
The Human Comedy
Homer Macauley
1943
Andy Hardy's Double Life
Andy Hardy
1942
The Courtship of Andy Hardy
Andy Hardy
1942
Babes on Broadway
Tommy Williams
1941
Life Begins for Andy Hardy
Andy Hardy
1941
Men of Boys Town
Whitey Marsh
1941
Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
Andy Hardy
1941
Strike Up the Band
Jimmy Connors
1940
Trifles of Importance
Self (archive footage)
1940
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
Andy Hardy
1940
Young Tom Edison
Thomas Alva 'Tom' Edison
1940
Judge Hardy and Son
Andy Hardy
1939
Babes in Arms
Mickey Moran
1939
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever
Andy Hardy
1939
The Hardys Ride High
Andy Hardy
1939
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn
1939
Out West with the Hardys
Andy Hardy
1938
Stablemates
Mickey
1938
Boys Town
Whitey Marsh
1938
Love Finds Andy Hardy
Andy Hardy
1938
Lord Jeff
Terry O'Mulvaney
1938
Hollywood Handicap
Himself
1938
Hold That Kiss
Chick Evans
1938
Judge Hardy's Children
Andy Hardy
1938
Love Is a Headache
Mike O'Toole
1938
You're Only Young Once
Andy Hardy
1937
Thoroughbreds Don't Cry
Timmie Donovan
1937
Live, Love and Learn
Jerry Crump
1937
Hoosier Schoolboy
Shockey Carter
1937
Captains Courageous
Dan Troop
1937
Slave Ship
Swifty
1937
A Family Affair
Andy Hardy
1937
Cinema Circus
Himself
1937
Down the Stretch
Snapper Sinclair
1936
The Devil Is a Sissy
'Gig' Stevens
1936
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Dick Tipton
1936
Riffraff
Jimmy
1936
Ah, Wilderness!
Tommy Miller
1935
Rendezvous
Country Boy (uncredited)
1935
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Puck
1935
The Healer
Jimmy
1935
Reckless
Eddie
1935
Hide-Out
William 'Willie' Miller
1934
Blind Date
Freddie Taylor
1934
Mickey's Medicine Man
Mickey McGuire
1934
Manhattan Melodrama
Blackie as a Boy
1934
Mickey's Rescue
Mickey McGuire
1934
Mickey's Minstrels
Mickey McGuire
1934
Mickey's Covered Wagon
Mickey McGuire
1933
The World Changes
Otto Peterson as a Child
1933
The Chief
Willie
1933
Mickey's Tent Show
Mickey McGuire
1933
Mickey's Touchdown
Mickey McGuire
1933
Broadway to Hollywood
Ted Hackett III as Child
1933
The Big Chance
Arthur Wilson
1933
The Life of Jimmy Dolan
Freckles (uncredited)
1933
Mickey's Race
Mickey McGuire
1933
Mickey's Ape Man
Mickey McGuire
1933
Officer Thirteen
Buddy Malone
1932
My Pal, the King
King Charles V
1932
High Speed
Buddy Whipple (uncredited)
1932
Sin's Pay Day
Chubby Dennis
1932
The Hunter
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (voice) (uncredited)
1931
Mickey's Thrill Hunters
Mickey McGuire
1931
Mickey's Wildcats
Mickey McGuire
1931
Mickey's Rebellion
Mickey McGuire
1931
Mickey's Stampede
Mickey McGuire
1931
Mickey's Warriors
Mickey McGuire
1930
Mickey's Whirlwinds
Mickey McGuire
1930
Mickey's Luck
Mickey McGuire
1930
The Voice of Hollywood No. 8
1930
Mickey's Champs
Mickey McGuire
1930
Mickey's Big Moment
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Mix-Up
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Surprise
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Midnite Follies
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Northwest Mounted
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Menagerie
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Explorers
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Great Idea
Mickey McGuire
1929
Mickey's Big Game Hunt
Mickey McGuire
1928
Mickey the Detective
Mickey McGuire
1928
Mickey's Rivals
Mickey McGuire
1928
Mickey's Movies
Mickey McGuire
1928
Mickey in School
Mickey McGuire
1928
Mickey's Eleven
Mickey McGuire
1927
Mickey's Pals
Mickey McGuire
1927
Cinema Stars - No. 15
1925