Mickey Rooney began performing at just 17 months old, showcasing his talent as part of his parents' act.
Rooney starred in the "Mickey McGuire" series from 1927 to 1936, which helped launch his career in Hollywood.
Despite his success, Rooney faced personal struggles, including battles with bipolar disorder and addiction to sleeping pills.
Biography
Early Life
Mickey Rooney was born Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. on September 23, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the only child of Nellie W. Carter, a former chorus girl, and Joe Yule, a Scottish-born vaudevillian. Rooney's early exposure to performance came from his parents, who were both entertainers. He began performing at just 17 months old, donning a specially tailored tuxedo as part of their act. After his parents separated when he was four, Rooney and his mother moved to Hollywood, where he made his film debut at the age of six in the short film "Not to be Trusted".
Career
Rooney's career took off in the late 1920s when he starred in the "Mickey McGuire" series, which ran from 1927 to 1936. His transition to MGM marked a significant turning point, where he became a prominent figure in musicals alongside Judy Garland. Rooney's portrayal of Andy Hardy in a series of films during the 1930s and 1940s solidified his status as a top box-office star, making him one of Hollywood's best-loved characters. His versatility as an actor was evident in his performances, which ranged from comedic to dramatic roles, earning him numerous accolades, including an Academy Honorary Award and an Emmy Award.
Personal Life
Throughout his life, Rooney faced personal challenges, including battles with bipolar disorder and addiction to sleeping pills, which he overcame in his late 70s. He was married eight times and had nine children, along with several grandchildren. In his later years, Rooney became an advocate against elder abuse, testifying before a U.S. Senate committee about his experiences. Despite the ups and downs, he remained a beloved figure in American entertainment until his death on April 6, 2014.
Legacy
Mickey Rooney's legacy is marked by his remarkable 88-year career in film, during which he appeared in over 300 movies. He was one of the last surviving stars from the silent film era and is remembered for his energetic performances and ability to connect with audiences. Critics and peers alike praised his talent, with Marlon Brando calling him "the best actor in films." Rooney's contributions to cinema and his embodiment of the amiable American boy archetype have left an indelible mark on Hollywood history.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Let’s Put on a Show2001
- 1.Nothing Can Stop Me Now1:50
- 2.Nostalgia Medley: How About You / But Not for Me / Manhattan4:17
- 3.Guess I’m Coming Down With the Blues2:04
- 4.The Lady’s Name Was Love1:53
- 5.Where or When2:08
- 6.You’re the Kind of Girl2:10
- 7.Our Love Affair1:34
- 8.We’re Married1:08
- 9.Making Whoopee2:44
- 10.I Can’t Give You Anything but Love2:21
- 11.You Made Me Love You1:56
- 12.Patsy Cline Medley: I Fall to Pieces / Crazy3:43
- 13.Silver Threads and Golden Needles1:21
- 14.Smile2:14
- 15.Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off1:19
- 16.Judy2:26
- 17.Nothing Can Stop Me Now (reprise)2:27
Girl Crazy1996
- 1.Main Title / Montage2:23
- 2.Sam and Delilah0:52
- 3.Treat Me Rough (extended version)4:49
- 4.Bidin' My Time5:00
- 5.Could You Use Me?3:50
- 6.Ginger Dear (outtake)1:09
- 7.Happy Birthday to You (extended version)0:37
- 8.Embraceable You4:56
- 9.Walking in the Garden4:13
- 10.Barbary Coast1:59
- 11.Fascinating Rhythm5:27
- 12.Bronco Busters (outtake)3:15
- 13.Boy! What Love Has Done to Me! (extended version)3:24
- 14.Embraceable You (reprise) (extended version)3:02
- 15.But Not for Me3:21
- 16.I Got Rhythm8:04
- 17.End Title (extended version)0:51
Mickey & Judy: The Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney Collection1995
- 1.Main Title
- 2.Stumbling
- 3.Montage
- 4.Good Morning
- 5.Mickey Proposes
- 6.Opera Vs. Jazz: Opera Vs. Jazz, Part 1 / Opera Vs. Jazz, Part 2 / Opera Vs. Jazz, Part 3 / Opera Vs. Jazz, Part 4
- 7.Babes in Arms
- 8.Mickey’s Bedroom
- 9.Mickey Proposes Again
- 10.Where or When
- 11.Where or When (reprise)
- 12.Mickey Leaves for Dinner / Dinner at Eight (The Lady Is a Tramp)
- 13.Good Morning (reprise)
- 14.Rehearsal Dance
- 15.Mickey Breaks the News
- 16.Baby Rosalie Theme
- 17.Oriental Theme
- 18.I Cried for You (Now It’s Your Turn to Cry Over Me)
- 19.Judy in Mother’s Dressing Room
- 20.Minstrel Show Sequence: Minstrel Show, Part 1 / De Camptown Races / Old Folks at Home / Oh! Suzanna / Minstrel Show, Part 2 / Minstrel Show, Part 3 / Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider / (on) Moonlight Bay / I’m Just Wild About Harry
- 21.Father in Agent’s Office
- 22.Finale: Finale, Part 1 / God’s Country / Finale, Part 2 / My Day / Finale, Part 3 / Finale, Part 4 / My Day / Finale, Part 5 / God’s Country
- 23.End Title
- 24.Supplemental Material: Good Morning (outtake) / I Cried for You (Now It’s Your Turn to Cry Over Me) (with Monologue)
- 25.Main Title
- 26.National Emblem (March)
- 27.Our Love Affair: Our Love Affair, Part 1 / Our Love Affair, Part 2 / Our Love Affair, Part 3 / Our Love Affair, Part 4 / Our Love Affair, Part 5
- 28.Do the La Conga
- 29.An Old Story, Part 1
- 30.Green Lantern Cafe
- 31.Saudades
- 32.Nobody
- 33.Porch Love Scene
- 34.Nell of New Rochelle
- 35.When Day Is Done
- 36.(My) Wonderful One
- 37.Drummer Boy
- 38.An Old Story, Part 2
- 39.Finale: Finale, Part 1 / Finale, Part 2 / Strike Up the Band / Finale, Part 3 / Do the La Conga / Finale, Part 4 / Our Love Affair / Finale, Part 5 / Drummer Boy / Finale, Part 6 / Strike Up the Band
- 40.End Title
- 41.Supplemental Material: Travel and Contest Montage (Tempo Track) / Our Love Affair (orchestral Track)
- 42.Main Title
- 43.Alexander Woollcott
- 44.Anything Can Happen in New York / Bow Music
- 45.How About You?
- 46.Sketch, Part 1
- 47.Sketch, Part 2 (The Man I Love)
- 48.Hoe Down
- 49.Introduction to Block Party / Block Party Fanfare
- 50.Chin Up! Cheerio! Carry On!
- 51.Ghost Theatre Sequence: Ghost Theatre Prelude / Mary’s a Grand Old Name / She Is Ma Daisy / I’ve Got Rings on My Fingers / Bernhardt (La Marseillaise) / The Yankee Doodle Boy
- 52.Stage Montage Introduction
- 53.Bombshell From Brazil
- 54.Mama Yo Quiero / Bow Music
- 55.Minstrel Show Sequence: Minstrel Show, Part 1 / Blackout Over Broadway / Minstrel Show, Part 2 / By the Light of the Silvery Moon / Minstrel Show, Part 3 / (F. D. R. Jones / Minstrel Show, Part 4 / Swanee River / Alabamy Bound / Minstrel Show, Part 5 / Waiting for the Robert E. Lee)
- 56.Babes on Broadway
- 57.End Title
- 58.Supplemental Material: Main Title (Unused version) / Chin Up! Cheerio! Carry On! (Audition demo) / “Leo Is on the Air” Holiday Broadcast
- 59.Main Title and Montage
- 60.Sam and Delilah
- 61.Treat Me Rough
- 62.Eight Miles to Cody
- 63.So This Is Cody, Wow!
- 64.Buffalo Mick
- 65.Rags and Mickey in Wagon
- 66.Bidin’ My Time
- 67.I Dare You
- 68.Could You Use Me?
- 69.Ginger Dear
- 70.Happy Birthday to You
- 71.Embraceable You
- 72.Walking in the Garden
- 73.Cactus Time in Arizona
- 74.Cody Closes
- 75.Barbary Coast
- 76.Fascinating Rhythm
- 77.Broncho Montage
- 78.Broncho Busters
- 79.Boy! What Love Has Done to Me!
- 80.Embraceable You (reprise)
- 81.Judy and Rags
- 82.But Not for Me
- 83.Don’t Cry, Rags
- 84.The Reconciliation
- 85.I Got Rhythm
- 86.Mickey Moves the Rock
- 87.End Title
Go Ahead and Laff1992
- 1.Go Ahead and Laugh2:38
- 2.You Do Something to Me1:58
- 3.Lover of the Simple Things3:37
- 4.Why Can′t She Lower the Alimony？2:51
- 5.Makin' Whoopee3:48
- 6.You Can＇t Break a Broken Heart3:55
- 7.I Cried for You2:12
- 8.Love Is Being Loved3:04
- 9.Offa the Sauce (And Back on My Hoss)2:36
- 10.I'll Get By3:22
Girl Crazy1944
- 1.Embraceable You
- 2.Could You Use Me?
- 3.But Not for Me
- 4.Treat Me Rough
- 5.Bidin’ My Time
- 6.I Got Rhythm
Gallery
Achievements
- Award
- Academy Juvenile Award
- Award
- Academy Honorary Award
- Award
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
- Award
- Emmy Award
- Award
- Bronze Star Medal
- Award
- Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series
- Award
- Theatre World Special Award
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Groups
- Meglin Kiddiescurrent
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Joseph Yule, Jr., Mickey Rooney, Sr.
Mickey Rooney 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.
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Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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