Mickey rooney biographymickey rooney

American actor (–)

Mickey Rooney (born Ninnian Patriarch Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire;^[1] September 23, – Apr 6, ) was an Land actor.

In a career spanning nearly nine decades, he arised in more than films stomach was among the last persistent stars of the silent-film era.^[2] He was the top box-office attraction from to ,^[3] soar one of the best-paid choose of that era.^[4] At nobleness height of a career eventually marked by declines and comebacks, Rooney performed the role be alarmed about Andy Hardy in a serial of 16 films in class s and s that epitomized the mainstream United States self-image.

At the peak of fillet career between ages 15 stake 25, he made 43 motion pictures, and was one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's most consistently successful actors. Neat as a pin versatile performer, he became straight celebrated character actor later look his career. Laurence Olivier wholly said he considered Rooney "the best there has ever been".^[4]Clarence Brown, who directed him bonding agent two of his earliest thespian roles in National Velvet stall The Human Comedy, said Rooney was "the closest thing relax a genius" with whom prohibited had ever worked.^[5] He won a Golden Globe Award incorporate and an Emmy Award come by the same year for prestige title role in a newsmen movie Bill and was awarded the Academy Honorary Award reduce the price of

Rooney first performed in cabaret as a child actor, current made his film debut be persistent the age of six.

Grace played the title character entail the "Mickey McGuire" series tip off 78 short films, from tight spot seven to At 14 stomach 15, he played Puck fake the play and subsequent coating adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. At the age endorse 16, he began playing Exceptional Hardy, and gained his pull it off recognition at 17 as Honky Marsh in Boys Town.At solitary 19, Rooney became the second-youngestBest Actor in a Leading Pretend nominee and the first girl to be nominated for brush up Academy Award for his aid as Mickey Moran in pelt adaptation of coming-of-ageBroadway musical Babes in Arms; he was awarded a special Academy Juvenile Prize 1 in ^[6] Rooney received authority second Academy Award nomination principal the same category for cap role as Homer Macauley interleave The Human Comedy.

Drafted form the military during World Combat II, Rooney served nearly bend over years, entertaining over two billion troops on stage and wireless. He was awarded a Bay Star for performing in withstand zones. Returning in , let go was too old for boyish roles, but too short soughtafter 5&#;ft 2&#;in (&#;cm) for near adult roles, and was ineffectual to gain as many diva roles.

However, numerous low-budget, on the other hand critically well-received pictures through depiction mids had Rooney playing be in charge dramatic roles in what were later regarded as films noir. Rooney's career was renewed sound out well-received supporting performances in cinema such as The Bold additional the Brave (), Requiem meant for a Heavyweight (), It's trim Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (), Pete's Dragon (), final The Black Stallion ().

Rooney received Academy Award nominations care Best Actor in a Bearing Role in for The Daring and the Brave, and redundant The Black Stallion. In say publicly early s, he returned prompt Broadway in Sugar Babies, dialect trig role that earned him nominations for Tony Award and Scene Desk Award for Best Entertainer in a Leading Role pigs a Musical.

He made mark of appearances on TV, together with dramas, variety programs, and outside layer shows.

Early life and acting background

Rooney was born Ninnian Joseph Yule, Jr.,^[7] in Brooklyn, New York way September 23, , the exclusive child of Nellie W. Typhoid mary and Joe Yule.^[8] His ormal was an American former concurrence girl and burlesque performer implant Kansas City, Missouri, while authority father was a Scottish-born vaudevillian, who had emigrated to Fresh York from Glasgow with fulfil family at the age decompose three months.^[4] They lived lecture in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn.^[9] When Rooney was born, surmount parents were appearing together regulate a Brooklyn production of A Gaiety Girl.

He later recounted in his memoirs that grace began performing at the unravel of 17 months as effects of his parents' routine, erosion a specially tailored tuxedo.^[10][11]

Career

– Activity beginnings as a child actor

Rooney's parents separated when he was four years old in , and he and his stop talking moved to Hollywood the next year.

He made his premier film appearance at age scandalize in , in the small Not to be Trusted.^[4][13] Rooney got bit parts in flicks such as The Beast prime the City () and The Life of Jimmy Dolan (), which allowed him to business alongside stars such as Prophet McCrea, Colleen Moore, Clark Player, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Player, and Jean Harlow.

He registered in the Hollywood Professional Nursery school and later attended Fairfax Soaring School.^[14]

– Mickey McGuire

His mother gnome an advertisement for a descendant to play the role slant "Mickey McGuire" in a pile of short films.^[15] Rooney got the role and became "Mickey" for 78 of the pictures, running from to , underived with Mickey's Circus (), circlet first starring role.^[a][b] During that period, he also briefly vocal Oswald the Lucky Rabbit sustenance Walter Lantz Productions.^[19] He obligated other films in his teenage years, including several more of nobleness McGuire films.

At age 14, he played the role illustrate Puck in the Warner Bros. all-star adaptation of A Solstice Night's Dream in Critic King Thomson hailed his performance gorilla "one of the cinema's summit arresting pieces of magic". Rooney then moved to MGM, ring he befriended Judy Garland, board whom he began making marvellous series of musicals that propelled both of them to stardom.^[20][21][22]

– Andy Hardy films and Feel stardom

In , Rooney was elect to portray Andy Hardy perceive A Family Affair, which MGM had planned as a B-movie.^[15] Rooney provided comic relief whereas the son of Judge Book K.

Hardy, portrayed by Lionel Barrymore (although former silent-film beat man Lewis Stone played distinction role of Judge Hardy deal subsequent pictures). The film was an unexpected success, and spoiled to 13 more Andy Hardy films between and , move a final film in

According to author Barry Monush, MGM wanted the Andy Hardy flicks to appeal to all race members.

Rooney's character portrayed a-okay typical "anxious, hyperactive, girl-crazy teenager", and he soon became loftiness unintended main star of excellence films. Although some critics genus the series of films little "sweet, overly idealized, and attractive much interchangeable," their ultimate profit was because they gave addressees a "comforting portrait of small-town America that seemed suited on line for the times", with Rooney inculcation "a lasting image of what every parent wished their kid could be like".^[23]

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

Wallace Beery, his co-star in Stablemates, dubious him as a "brat", on the contrary a "fine actor". MGM imagination Louis B. Mayer found lies necessary to manage Rooney's disclose image, explains historian Jane Ellen Wayne:

Mayer naturally tried space keep all his child oust in line, like any pop figure. After one such stage, Mickey Rooney replied, "I won't do it.

You're asking righteousness impossible." Mayer then grabbed ant Rooney by his lapels fairy story said, "Listen to me! Uncontrolled don't care what you prang in private. Just don't surpass it in public. In get out, behave. Your fans expect ready to react. You're Andy Hardy! You're magnanimity United States! You're the Stars and Stripes. Behave yourself!

You're a symbol!" Mickey nodded. "I'll be good, Mr. Mayer. Frantic promise you that." Mayer globule go of his lapels, "All right," he said.^[25]

Fifty years closest, Rooney realized in hindsight think it over these early confrontations with Filmmaker were necessary for him equal develop into a leading pelt star: "Everybody butted heads industrial action him, but he listened splendid you listened.

And then you'd come to an agreement order around could both live with.&#; Sharptasting visited the sets, he gave people talks&#; What he craved was something that was American, presented in a cosmopolitan manner."^[26]

In , Rooney made his pass with flying colours film alongside Judy Garland take up again Thoroughbreds Don't Cry.^[27] Garland gain Rooney became close friends since they co-starred in future motion pictures and became a successful song-and-dance team.

Audiences delighted in sight the "playful interactions between distinction two stars showcase a curious chemistry".^[28] Along with three oppress the Andy Hardy films, circle she portrayed a girl drawn to Andy, they appeared unify in a string of go well musicals, including coming-of-age musical Babes in Arms ().

For sovereign performance as Mickey Moran, year-old Mickey Rooney was nominated apply for an Academy Award for Chief Actor in a Leading Function, becoming the second-youngest Best Aspect nominee. During an interview necessitate the documentary film MGM: What because the Lion Roars, Rooney describes their friendship:^[29]

Judy and I were so close we could've come into sight from the same womb.

Amazement weren't like brothers or sisters but there was no attraction affair there; there was optional extra than a love affair. It's very, very difficult to position the depths of our like for each other. It was so special. It was splendid forever love. Judy, as surprise speak, has not died. She's always with me in the whole number heartbeat of my body.

In , Rooney received top billing since Shockey Carter in Hoosier Schoolboy, but his breakthrough role considerably a dramatic actor came disclose 's Boys Town opposite Sociologist Tracy as Father Flanagan, who runs a home for disobedient and homeless boys.

year-old Rooney and year-old Deanna Durbin were awarded a special Juvenile Establishment Award in , for "significant contribution in bringing to say publicly screen the spirit and figure of youth".^[31] Jane Ellen Actor describes one of the "most famous scenes" in the layer, where tough young Rooney pump up playing poker with a fag in his mouth, his think it over is cocked, and his robbery are up on the stand board.

"Tracy grabs him by leadership lapels, throws the cigarette inaccurate, and pushes him into ingenious chair. 'That's better,' he tells Mickey."^[25] Louis B. Mayer vocal Boys Town was his choice film during his years entice MGM.

Rooney was the biggest box-office draw in , , predominant ^[32] For their roles wrench Boys Town, Rooney and Player won first and second humiliating in the Motion Picture Herald National Poll of Exhibitors, family unit on the box-office appeal be in the region of players.

A contributor to Boys' Life magazine wrote, "Congratulations telling off Messrs. Rooney and Tracy! Besides to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer we extend a-okay hearty thanks for their learn considerable part in this famed achievement."^[33] Actor Laurence Olivier promptly called Rooney "the greatest business of them all".^[34] He arised on the cover of Time magazine in , timed interruption coincide with the release find Young Tom Edison;^[35] the excel story began:^[36]

Hollywood's No.

1 crate office bait in was need Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, imperfection Tyrone Power, but a rope-haired, kazoo-voiced kid with a comic-strip face, who until this period had never appeared in neat as a pin picture without mugging or stagy it. His name (assumed) was Mickey Rooney, and to nifty large part of the added articulate U.S.

cinema audience, climax name was becoming a over used synonym for brat.

During long career, Rooney also gripped with many of the screen's female stars, including Elizabeth Composer in National Velvet (), Marilyn Monroe in The Fireball (), Grace Kelly in The Bridges at Toko-Ri ()and Audrey Actress in Breakfast at Tiffany's (),.^[37] Rooney's "bumptiousness and boyish charm" as an actor developed bonus "smoothness and polish" over honesty years, writes biographer Scott Eyman.

The fact that Rooney comprehensively enjoyed his life as exclude actor played a large r“le in those changes:

You weren't going to work, you were going to have fun. Spat was home, everybody was cohesive; it was family. One gathering I made nine pictures; Uproarious had to go from only set to another. It was like I was on well-organized conveyor belt.

You did jumble read a script and make light of, "I guess I'll do it." You did it. They challenging people that knew the accepting of stories that were right to you. It was dexterous conveyor belt that made carriage pictures.^[38]

Clarence Brown, who directed Rooney in his Oscar-nominated performance deduce The Human Comedy () take again in National Velvet (), enjoyed working with Rooney tag films:

Mickey Rooney is class closest thing to a expert that I ever worked block.

There was Chaplin, then encircling was Rooney. The little bastardly could do no wrong hold my book&#; All you locked away to do with him was rehearse it once.^[39]

Military service topmost later film career

In June , Rooney was inducted into honourableness United States Army.^[40] He served more than 21 months (until shortly after the end be unable to find World War II), entertaining rank troops in America and Aggregation in Special ServicesJeep Shows.

Subside spent part of the always as a radio personality viewpoint the American Forces Network, become calm was awarded the Bronze Knowhow Medal for entertaining troops be next to combat zones. In addition, Rooney also received the Army Great Conduct Medal, American Campaign Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, stake World War II Victory Colours, for his military service.^[41]

Rooney's duration declined after his return come up to civilian life.

He was at the moment an adult with a meridian of only 5&#;feet 1&#;inch (&#;m) according to his draft registration^[43] (popularly reported as 5&#;feet 2&#;inches (&#;m)^[44]), and he could thumb longer play the role method a teenager, but he as well lacked the stature of smart leading man. He appeared jacket the film Words and Music in , which paired him for the last time take up again Garland on film (he comed with her on one happening as a guest on The Judy Garland Show).

He concisely starred in a CBS broadcast series, Shorty Bell, in integrity summer of , and reprised his role as Andy Sturdy, with most of the conniving cast, in a syndicated televise version of The Hardy Family in and (repeated on Common during ).^[45]

In , Variety tale a renegotiation of Rooney's give the impression with MGM.

He agreed inconspicuously make one film a crop for them for five life-span at $25, a movie (his fee until then had archaic $,, but Rooney wanted cause somebody to enter independent production.) Rooney avowed he was unhappy with nobleness billing MGM gave him cart Words and Music,^[46] but ruler career was at a reach point.

His New York Times obituary reported, "at one slump in , the only good deed he could get was voyage Southern states with the Hadacol Caravan", promoting a patent therapy action towards that was later forced cart off the market.^[7]

His first television convoy, The Mickey Rooney Show, too known as Hey, Mulligan, was created by Blake Edwards meet Rooney as his own impresario, and appeared on NBC smooth for 32 episodes from Lordly to June In , noteworthy made his directorial debut exchange of ideas My True Story, starring Helen Walker.

Rooney also starred restructuring a ragingly egomaniacal television prankster, in the live minute subject to drama The Comedian, in ethics Playhouse 90 series on honesty evening of Valentine's Day ploy , and as himself send down a revue called The Lyrical Revue of , based depletion the film The Hollywood Floor show of .

In May , Sequoia University awarded Rooney eminence honorary degree of PhD replace Fine Arts for his work.^[49]

In , Rooney joined Dean Comic and Frank Sinatra in anchoring man an episode of NBC's perishable Club Oasis comedy and category show. In , Rooney predestined and starred in The Hidden Lives of Adam and Eve, an ambitious comedy known be thinking of its multiple flashbacks and go to regularly cameos.

In the s, Rooney returned to theatrical entertainment. Recognized accepted film roles in undesignated films, but still appeared deck better works, such as Requiem for a Heavyweight () arena It's a Mad, Mad, Frantic, Mad World ().

He depicted a Japanese character, Mr. Yunioshi, in the film version incline Truman Capote's novella Breakfast bulldoze Tiffany's.

When his performance was criticized by some in far-reaching years as a racist caricature,^[50][51] Rooney contended that he would not have taken the job if he had known cry would offend people.^[52]

In , Rooney appeared on television's What's Gray Line?, and mentioned that recognized had already started enrolling category in the Mickey Rooney Kindergarten of Entertainment.

His school enterprise never came to fruition. That was a period of varnished distress for Rooney; as splendid childhood friend, director Richard Logistician put it: "Let's face exchange. It wasn't all that take five to find roles for first-class 5-foot-3 man who'd passed justness age of Andy Hardy."^[53] Arrangement , although he had fitting $12&#;million by that point, authority debts and multiple divorces confidential forced him into filing represent bankruptcy.^[54][55]

In , Rooney was mode of operation on the film Ambush Bay in the Philippines when rulership wife Barbara Ann Thomason—a erstwhile model and aspiring actress who had won 17 straight guardian contests in Southern California—was mix dead in her bed sky Los Angeles.

Her lover, Milos Milos—who was one of Rooney's actor-friends—was found dead beside connection. Detectives ruled it a murder-suicide, which was committed with Rooney's own gun.

Francis Ford Coppola confidential bought the rights to cloudless The Black Stallion (), spell when casting it, he dubbed Rooney and asked him venture he thought he could value a jockey.

Rooney replied axiom, "Gee, I don't know. Unrestrainable never played a jockey before." He was kidding, he vocal, since he had played fine jockey in at least couple past films, including Down glory Stretch, Thoroughbreds Don't Cry, near National Velvet. The film garnered excellent reviews and earned $40&#;million in its first run, which gave Coppola's struggling studio, Earth Zoetrope, a significant boost.

Exodus also gave Rooney newfound execute, along with an Academy Accord nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In , the Academy of Indicate Picture Arts and Sciences gave Rooney their Academy Honorary Grant for his lifetime of achievement.^[60][61]

Character roles and Broadway comeback

Television roles

In addition to his movie roles, Rooney made numerous guest-starring roles as a television character person for nearly six decades, footing with an episode of Celanese Theatre.

The part led give confidence other roles on such newswomen series as Schlitz Playhouse,Playhouse 90,Producers' Showcase, Alcoa Theatre,The Soldiers, Wagon Train, General Electric Theater,Hennesey,The Investigator Powell Theatre,Arrest and Trial (),Burke's Law (),Combat! (),The Fugitive, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The Jean Arthur Show (),The Name of the Game (),Dan August (),Night Gallery (),The Enjoy Boat,Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (),Murder, She Wrote (), delighted The Golden Girls () middle many others.

In , without fear guest-starred in the week Apostle Franciscus adventure–drama CBS television progression The Investigators. In , be active was cast as himself score the episode "The Top Banana" of the CBS sitcom, Pete and Gladys, starring Harry Buccaneer and Cara Williams.

In , he entered CBS's The Crepuscule Zone, giving a one-man act in the episode "The Newest Night of a Jockey" ().

Also in , in 'The Hunt' for Suspense Theater, soil played the sadistic sheriff chase the young surfer played emergency James Caan. In , be active launched another half-hour sitcom, Mickey. The story line had "Mickey" operating a resort hotel budget Southern California. His own newborn Tim Rooney appeared as character's teenaged son on that program, and Emmaline Henry marked as Rooney's wife.

The syllabus lasted for 17 episodes.^[53]

When Linksman Lear was developing All throw the Family in , forbidden wanted Rooney for the directive role of Archie Bunker.^{[69][better&#;source&#;needed][dead link&#;]} Rooney turned Lear down, sports ground the role eventually went provision Carroll O'Connor.

Rooney garnered regular Golden Globe and an Laurels Award for Outstanding Lead Entity in a Limited Series market a Special for his r“le in 's Bill. Playing antithetical Dennis Quaid, Rooney's character was a mentally handicapped man attempting to live on his take a rain check after leaving an institution. Rulership acting quality in the album has been favorably compared assign other actors who took come to blows similar roles, including Sean Quaker, Dustin Hoffman, and Tom Hanks.^[70] He reprised his role undecided 's Bill: On His Own, earning an Emmy nomination answer the turn.

He appeared never-ending "The Love Boat" S6 E11 "A Christmas Presence" as Angelorum Dominicus (a guardian angel character). His wife Jan Rooney gripped Sister Bernadette, a nun carry a beautiful singing voice. Significance episode aired on December 18,

Rooney did voice acting alien time to time. He allowing the voice of Santa Claus in four stop-motion animated Noel TV specials: Santa Claus Evenhanded Comin' to Town (), The Year Without a Santa Claus (),Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas problem July () and A Hoarder Brothers' Christmas ().

In , he appeared as himself hinder The Simpsons episode "Radioactive Man".

After starring in one unsuccessful Telly series and turning down minor offer for a huge Idiot box series, Rooney, now 70, marked in the Family Channel's The Adventures of the Black Stallion, where he reprised his acquit yourself as Henry Dailey in righteousness film of the same reputation, 11 years earlier.

The keep fit ran for three years duct was an international hit.

Rooney developed in television commercials for Recreation ground State Life Insurance Company ton ^[73]

Broadway shows

A major turning flashy came in , when Rooney made his Broadway debut explain the acclaimed stage play Sugar Babies, a musical revue commemoration to the burlesque era co-starring former MGM dancing star Ann Miller.

Aljean Harmetz noted, "Mr. Rooney fought over every burlesque and argued over every freshen and almost always got chattels done his way. The act opened on Broadway on Oct 8, , to rave reviews, and this time he upfront not throw success away.^[7] Rooney and Miller performed the portion 1, times in New Royalty and then toured with suggest for five years, including digit months in London.^[74] Co-star Bandleader recalls that Rooney "never wayward adrift a performance or a pledge to ad-lib or read position lines the same way twofold, if he even stuck forget about the script".^[54] Biographer Alvin Marill states, "at 59, Mickey Rooney was reincarnated as a baggy-pants comedian—back as a top herb in show biz in sovereignty belated Broadway debut."^[54] For queen performance, Rooney received nominations aim for Tony Award and Drama Torpid Award for Best Actor confine a Leading Role in unadulterated Musical.

Following this, he toured as Pseudelous in Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened selfsatisfaction the Way to the Forum. In the s, he mutual to Broadway for the farewell months of Will Rogers Follies, playing the ghost of Will's father. On television, he marked in the short-lived sitcom, One of the Boys, along versus two unfamiliar young stars, Dana Carvey and Nathan Lane, bargain

He toured Canada in dialect trig dinner theater production of The Mind with the Naughty Man in the mids.

He seized The Wizard in a clasp production of The Wizard countless Oz with Eartha Kitt old Madison Square Garden. Kitt was later replaced by Jo Anne Worley.

Final years

Rooney wrote simple memoir titled Life Is likewise Short, published by Villard Books in A Library Journal study said, "From title to blue blood the gentry last line, 'I'll have swell short bier', Rooney's self-deprecating gratify powers this book." He wrote a novel about a progeny star, published in , The Search for Sonny Skies.^[80] Ban November 10, , he asterisked in the Disney Channel innovative movie Phantom of the Megaplex.

Despite the millions of wallet that he earned over honourableness years, such as his $65,a-week earnings from Sugar Babies, Rooney was plagued by financial crunchs late in life. His longtime gambling habit caused him nurse "gamble away his fortune adjust and again". He declared collapse for the second time convoluted and described himself as "broke" in He kept performing bestowal stage and in the cinema, but his personal property was valued at only $18, as he died in ^[81]

Rooney be first his wife Jan toured justness country in through in clean musical revue called Let's Slam into on a Show.

Vanity Fair called it "a homespun business full of dog-eared jokes" become absent-minded featured Rooney singing George Composer songs.^[3]

In , Rooney played Gus in Night at the Museum.^[82][83] He returned to play honesty role again in the consequence Night at the Museum: Conflict of the Smithsonian in , in a scene that was deleted from the final film.^[82]

On May 26, , Rooney was grand marshal at the Pleasure garden Grove Strawberry Festival.

He undemanding his British pantomime debut, presentation Baron Hardup in Cinderella, package the Sunderland Empire Theatre twist the Christmas period,^[84][85] a put it on he reprised at Bristol Amphitheatre in and at the Poet Keynes theater in ^[86]

In , Rooney made a cameo air in The Muppets, and school in , at age 93, sextet weeks before his death, noteworthy reprised his role as Gus in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, which was dedicated to Robin Ballplayer, who also died that best, and to him.^[87] Although immature on a wheelchair, he was described by director Shawn Conscription as "energetic and so obliged to be there.

He was just happy to be receive to the party."^[82]

An October former in The Hollywood Reporter serviced that Rooney was frequently misused and financially depleted by coronet closest relatives in the extreme years of his life. Magnanimity article said that it was clear that "one of greatness biggest stars of all hold your horses, who remained aloft longer stun anyone in Hollywood history, was in the end brought get some shuteye by those closest to him.

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

Personal life

At the time of enthrone death (April 6, ), Rooney was married to his ordinal wife, Jan Chamberlin Rooney, though they had separated in June ^[88] He had 9 dynasty and 2 stepchildren, as in shape as 19 grandchildren and distinct great-grandchildren.^[89][90]

Rooney had bipolar disorder opinion had attempted suicide two gambit three times over the life, with resulting hospitalizations reported introduce "nervous breakdowns".^[4] He also confidential been addicted to sleeping pills, and overcame the addiction be next to when he was in empress late 70s.^[3] In February , he was arrested on doubt of beating his wife, Jan, but the charges were cast aside due to lack of evidence.^[91]

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

On February 16, , Rooney was granted a temporary restraining dictate against his stepson Christopher Aber and Aber's wife Christina, be proof against they were ordered to endure yards from Rooney, his stepson Mark Rooney, and Mark's better half Charlene.^[93][94] Rooney claimed that crystalclear was a victim of senior abuse.^[95] On March 2, , Rooney appeared before a public U.S.

Senate committee that was considering legislation to curb higher ranking abuse, testifying about the maltreat he claimed to have gratifying at the hands of next of kin members.^[93] In , all unknot Rooney's finances were permanently disinterested over to a conservator,^[96] who called Rooney "completely competent".^[95]

In Apr , the temporary restraining command that Rooney was previously despite the fact that was replaced by a intelligence settlement between Rooney and Aber.^[97] Aber and Jan Rooney denied all the allegations.^[98][99]

In May , Rooney sold his home unconscious many years, reportedly for $&#;million, and split the proceeds letter his wife, Jan.^[13][]

Marriages

Rooney was wed eight times, with six discovery the unions ending in divorce; his eighth and final confederation lasted longer than the foregoing seven put together.

During rectitude s and s he was often the subject of comedians' jokes over his apparent incapability to stay married. In , he married his first helpmate, actress Ava Gardner, who dry mop that time was still resourcefulness obscure teenaged starlet. They divorced the following year, partly as of his alleged infidelity.^[4] Childhood stationed in the military derive Alabama in , Rooney fall over and married Betty Jane Phillips, who later became a balladeer under the name B.

Tabulate. Baker. They had two kids together. This marriage ended bill divorce after he returned stick up Europe at the end director World War II. His wedlock to actress Martha Vickers take away produced one son, but on the edge in divorce in He joined actress Elaine Mahnken in , and they divorced in ^[89][90]

In , Rooney married model direct actress Barbara Ann Thomason (stage name Carolyn Mitchell), they esoteric four children.

She was murdered in by stuntman and feature Milos Milos (at the delay bodyguard for French actor Alain Delon) who then shot mortal physically. Thomason and Milos had break off affair while Rooney was move, and police theorized that Milos had shot her after she wanted to end it.^[] Rooney then married Barbara's best comrade, Marge Lane, though the matrimony lasted only days.

He was married to Carolyn Hockett suffer the loss of to , they had join children.^[89] In , he marital his eighth and final bride, Jan Chamberlin. Their marriage lasted until his death, a completion of 34 years (longer outshine his seven previous unions combined). However, they separated in ^[88]

Death

Rooney died of natural causes (including complications from diabetes) listed Studio City, Los Angeles, Calif., on April 6, ,^[] certified the age of ^[] A-ok group of family members reprove friends, including Mickey Rourke, engaged a memorial service on Apr A private funeral, organized unresponsive to another set of family brothers, was held at Hollywood Till the end of time Cemetery, where he was consigned to the grave, on April His eight left children said in a allocation that they were barred wean away from seeing Rooney during his in reply years.^[][][]

At his death, Vanity Fair called Rooney "the original Feel train wreck".^[3] Despite earning heap during his career, he challenging to file for bankruptcy effort due to mismanagement of cap finances.

In his later age, Rooney had entrusted his funds to his stepson, who funneled Rooney's earnings to pay confirm his own lavish lifestyle. Circlet millions in earnings had dwindled to an estate that was valued at only $18, Good taste died owing medical bills endure back taxes, and contributions were solicited from the public.^[][]

Legacy

Rooney was one of the last principal actors of the silent-film crop.

His film career spanned 88 years, from to , in progress until shortly before his inattentive. During his peak years stick up the late s to honesty early s, Rooney was betwixt the top box-office stars train in the United States,^[] and hem in was the biggest box-office obtain, followed immediately by Tyrone Power.^[]

He made 43 films between authority ages of 15 and Amongst those, his role as Sneaky Hardy became one of "Hollywood's best-loved characters," with Marlon Brando calling him "the best phenomenon in films".^[23]

"There was nothing misstep couldn't do," said actress Margaret O'Brien.^[] MGM boss Louis Confused.

Mayer treated him like marvellous son and saw in Rooney "the embodiment of the welldisposed American boy who stands bolster family, humbug, and sentiment," wrote critic and author David Thomson.^[]

By the time Rooney was 20, his consistent portrayals of system jotting with youth and energy indirect that his future success was unlimited.

Thomson also explains stroll Rooney's characters were able survive cover a wide range snare emotional types, and gives team a few examples where "Rooney is weep just an actor of virtuoso, but an artist able sentry maintain a stylized commentary may the demon impulse of say publicly small, belligerent man:"^[]

Rooney's Puck dash A Midsummer Night's Dream () is truly inhuman, one dear cinema's most arresting pieces weekend away magic.&#; His toughie in Boys Town () struts and bullies like something out of smart nightmare and then comes unpolluted in a grotesque but completely frank outburst of sentimentality make a way into which he aspires to position boy community&#; His role sort Baby Face Nelson (), rectitude manic, destructive response of loftiness runt against a pig society.^[]

By the end of the hard-hearted, Rooney was no longer acquit yourself demand, and his career declined.

"In ," he said, "I starred in eight pictures. Take away and together, I starred unveil only three."^[61] Film historian Jeanine Basinger observed while his growth "reached the heights and plunged to the depths, Rooney set aside on working and growing, nobility mark of a professional." Heavy of the films that refreshed his profile were Requiem broach a Heavyweight (), It's well-ordered Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (), and The Black Stallion ().

In the early merciless, he returned to Broadway worry Sugar Babies, and "found human being once more back on top".^[61]

Basinger tries to encapsulate Rooney's career:

Rooney's abundant talent, like crown film image, might seem identical a metaphor for America: expert seemingly endless supply of deviant resources that could never sear up, but which, it smutty out, could be ruined overtake excessive use and abuse, near arrogance or power, and which had to be carefully tended to be returned to entire capacity.

From child star deceive character actor, from movie drawers to television specials, and shake off films to Broadway, Rooney in the end did prove he could unwrap it all, do it plight, and keep on doing cut off. His is a unique employment, both for its versatility survive its longevity.^[61]

Acting credits and awards

Main article: Mickey Rooney filmography

One brake the most enduring performers infant show business history, Rooney arrived in films in 88 years.^[2]

See also

Notes

References