Rooney, Mickey 1920–

views updated Jun 27 2018

Rooney, Mickey 1920–

(Mickey McGuire, Joe, Jr. Yule, Mickey Yule)

PERSONAL

Original name, Joseph "Joe" Yule, Jr.; name legally changed, 1932; born September 23, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, NY; son of Joe (a vaudeville performer) and Nell (a vaudeville performer; maiden name, Carter) Yule; married Ava Gardner (an actress), January 10, 1942 (some sources cite 1941; divorced May 21, 1943); married Betty Jane Rase, September 30, 1944 (divorced June 3, 1949); married Martha Vickers (an actress), June 3, 1949 (divorced September 25, 1951); married Elaine Mahnken (some sources cite Elaine Devry; an actress), 1952 (divorced May 18, 1958); married Barbara Ann Thomason (some sources spell surname Thompson), December 1, 1958 (died January 3, 1966); married Margie Lane, September 10, 1966 (divorced 1967); married Carolyn Hockett, 1969 (divorced 1974); married Janice Darlene "Jan" Chamberlain (a singer, songwriter, and actress), July 28, 1978; children: (second marriage) Mickey Rooney, Jr. (an actor and musician; also known as Joseph Yule III), Timothy "Tim" (an actor); (third marriage) Theodore "Teddy" (an actor); (fifth marriage) Kelly Ann, Kerry Yule, Michael Joseph Kyle, Kimmy Sue; (seventh marriage) Jimmy, Jonelle; stepchildren: (eighth marriage) Christopher Aber (an actor), Mark Aber (a musician). Education: Attended Mrs. Lawlor's School for Professional Children. Avocational Interests: Golf, horses and horse racing, animals and animal rights causes, painting.

Addresses: Agent—Robert Malcolm, The Artists Group, Ltd., 2049 Century Park East, Suite 4060, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

Career: Actor. Made his stage debut at the age of fifteen months. Appeared in commercials and print advertisements. Singer at various venues. Participant and speaker at various events, parades, and festivals, including the Judy Garland Festival, Grand Rapids, MN, 1999 and 2000. Mickey Rooney Tabas Hotel, Downingtown, PA, co-owner. Some sources state that Rooney was involved with a health food company, an advertising firm, and the World Poker Tour Invitational. Military service: U.S. Army, served during World War II.

Member: Screen Actors Guild, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Awards, Honors: Juvenile Academy Award (with Deanna Durbin), 1938; Academy Award nomination, best actor in a leading role, 1939, for Babes in Arms; Academy Award nomination, best actor in a leading role, 1943, for The Human Comedy; Academy Award nomination, best actor in a supporting role, 1956, for The Bold and the Brave; Golden Laurel Award nomination, top male action star, Laurel awards, Producers Guild of America, 1958, for Baby Face Nelson; Emmy Award nomination, best single performance by a lead or supporting actor, 1958, for "The Comedian," Playhouse 90; Emmy Award nomination, best single performance by an actor, 1959, for "Eddie," Alcoa Theatre; Golden Laurel Award nomination, top male supporting performance, 1963, for Requiem for a Heavyweight; Golden Globe Award, best male television star, 1964; Academy Award nomination, best actor in a supporting role, 1979, for The Black Stallion; Special Theatre World Award, Antoinette Perry Award nomination, and Drama Desk Award nomination, both best actor in a musical, all 1980, for Sugar Babies; Emmy Award, outstanding lead actor in a limited series or special, and Golden Globe Award, best performance by an actor in a miniseries or motion picture made for television, both 1982, for Bill; honorary Academy Award, 1982; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding lead actor in a limited series or special, 1984, for Bill: On His Own; Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award, Young Artist awards, Young Artist Foundation, 1991; Gemini Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a continuing leading dramatic role, Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, 1992, for The Black Stallion; Francois Truffaut Award, Giffoni Film Festival, 1996; Hollywood Film Legend Award, Hollywood Christmas Parade, 2000; named mayor for life, Girls and Boys Town alumni, 2003; John Payne Lifetime Achievement Award, Blue Ridge Southwest Virginia Vision Film Festival, 2004; special award for service during World War II, National D-Day Memorial, 2004; received multiple on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; recipient of other awards and honors.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

Midget, Not to be Trusted, 1926.

(Uncredited) Orchids and Ermine, 1927.

(As Mickey McGuire) Boy, Sin's Pay Day, Mayfair, 1932.

(As Mickey McGuire) Buddy Whipple, High Speed, Columbia, 1932.

King Charles V, My Pal the King, Universal, 1932.

(Uncredited) Mickey Fitzpatrick, The Beast of the City, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1932.

Midge, Fast Companions (also known as Caliente and The Information Kid), Universal, 1932.

Emma, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1932.

Arthur Wilson, The Big Chance, Arthur Greenblatt Distribution Service/States Rights Independent Exchanges, 1933.

(As Mickey McGuire) Buddy Malone, Officer Thirteen, 1933.

(Uncredited) Freckles, The Life of Jimmy Dolan (also known as The Kid's Last Fight), Warner Bros., 1933.

Jimmy O'Hara, The Big Cage, Universal, 1933.

Otto Peterson as a child, The World Changes, Warner Bros., 1933.

Willie, The Chief (also known as My Old Man's a Fireman), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1933.

Young Ted Hackett III, Broadway to Hollywood (also known as March of Time, Ring up the Curtain, and Show World), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1933.

The Bowery, United Artists, 1933.

Blackie at the age of twelve, Manhattan Melodrama, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934.

(Uncredited) Boy swimmer, Chained, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934.

(Uncredited) Boy with dog, The Lost Jungle, 1934.

Freddy, Blind Date (also known as Her Sacrifice), Columbia, 1934.

Gladwyn Tootle, Love Birds, Universal, 1934.

(Scenes deleted) Jerry, Upperworld (also known as Upper World), Warner Bros., 1934.

Messenger, I Like It That Way, Universal, 1934.

Mickey, Death on the Diamond, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934.

Tommy, Beloved, Universal, 1934.

William "Willie" Miller, Hide-Out, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934.

Willie, Half a Sinner, Universal, 1934.

(Uncredited) Country boy, Rendezvous, 1935.

Eddie, Reckless, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935.

Freckles, The County Chairman, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1935.

Jimmy Thurger, Riffraff, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935.

Jimmy, The Healer (also known as Little Pal), Monogram, 1935.

Himself, Pirate Party on Catalina Island, 1935.

Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Warner Bros., 1935.

Tommy Miller, Ah, Wilderness!, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935.

Dick Tipton, Little Lord Fauntleroy, United Artists, 1936.

Fred "Snappy" Sinclair, Down the Stretch, Warner Bros., 1936.

James "Gig" Stevens, The Devil Is a Sissy (also known as The Devil Takes the Count), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1936.

Dan Troop, Captains Courageous, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937.

Jerry Crump, Live, Love and Learn, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937.

Himself, Cinema Circus, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937.

Shockey Carter, Hoosier Schoolboy (also known as Forgotten Hero and Yesterday's Hero), Monogram, 1937.

Swifty, Slave Ship, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1937.

Timmie "Tim" Donovan, Thoroughbreds Don't Cry, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937.

Chick Evans, Hold That Kiss, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Himself, Hollywood Handicap, 1938.

Mickey, Stablemates, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Mike O'Toole, Love Is a Headache, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Terry O'Mulvaney, Lord Jeff (also known as The Boy from Barnardo's), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Whitey Marsh, Boys Town, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Huckelberry Finn, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (also known as Huckleberry Finn), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939.

Mickey Moran, Babes in Arms (musical), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939.

James "Jimmy" Connors, Strike Up the Band (musical), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940.

Himself, Rodeo Dough, 1940.

Thomas Alva "Tom" Edison, Young Tom Edison, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940.

(In archive footage) Trifles of Importance, 1940.

Tommy "Tom" Williams, Babes on Broadway (musical), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1941.

Whitey Marsh, Men of Boys Town, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1941.

Timothy Dennis, A Yank at Eton, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1942.

Danny Churchill, Jr., Girl Crazy (musical; also known as When the Girls Meet the Boys), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1943.

Homer Macauley, The Human Comedy, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1943.

Himself, Show Business at War (also known as The March of Time Volume IX, Issue 10), 1943.

Master of ceremonies at show, Thousands Cheer (musical), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1943.

Mike Taylor, National Velvet, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944.

Mickey the Great (short film), 1946.

Himself, Screen Snapshots Series 27, No. 3: Out of This World Series, 1947.

Tommy McCoy, Killer McCoy, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1947.

Lorenz Hart, Words and Music (musical), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948.

Richard Miller, Summer Holiday (musical), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948.

Billy Coy, The Big Wheel, United Artists, 1949.

Daniel "Dan" Brady, Quicksand, United Artists, 1950.

Freddie Frisby, He's a Cockeyed Wonder, Columbia, 1950.

Johnny Casar, The Fireball (also known as The Challenge), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1950.

J. Dennis "Denny" O'Moore, My Outlaw Brother (also known as My Brother, the Outlaw), Eagle Lion Classics, 1951.

Stanley Maxton, The Strip, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1951.

Mike Donnelly, Sound Off, Columbia, 1952.

Augustus "Geechy" Cheevers, A Slight Case of Larceny, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1953.

Francis "Moby" Dickerson, All Ashore, Columbia, 1953.

Herbert Tuttle, Off Limits (also known as Military Policeman), Paramount, 1953.

Himself, Screen Snapshots: Mickey Rooney—Then and Now (also known as Mickey Rooney, Then and Now), 1953.

Himself, Screen Snapshots: Spike Jones in Hollywood, 1953.

Barnaby "Blix" Waterberry, The Atomic Kid, Republic Pictures, 1954.

Eddie Shannon, Drive a Crooked Road, Columbia, 1954.

Mike Forney, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, Paramount, 1954.

Reverend William Macklin II, The Twinkle in God's Eye, Republic Pictures, 1955.

David Prescott, Francis in the Haunted House, Universal, 1956.

Dooley, The Bold and the Brave, RKO Radio Pictures, 1956.

Frank Sommers, Magnificent Roughnecks, Allied Artists, 1956.

Himself, Screen Snapshots: Playtime in Hollywood, 1956.

Lester M. "Baby Face Nelson" Gillis (title role), Baby Face Nelson, United Artists, 1957.

Master sergeant Yancy Skibo, Operation Mad Ball, Columbia, 1957.

Gus Harris, A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed (also known as How to Rob a Bank), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1958.

John "Killer" Mears, The Last Mile, United Artists, 1959.

"Little Joe" Braun, The Big Operator (also known as Anatomy of the Syndicate), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1959.

Nick Lewis (the Devil), The Private Lives of Adam and Eve, Universal, 1960.

Steven Conway, Platinum High School (also known as Rich, Young and Deadly and Trouble at Sixteen), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1960.

Beetle McKay, Everything's Ducky, Columbia, 1961.

Johnny Burke, King of the Roaring '20s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein (also known as The Big Bankroll and King of the Roaring Twenties), Allied Artists, 1961.

Mr. Yunioshi, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Paramount, 1961.

Army, Requiem for a Heavyweight (also known as Blood Money), Columbia, 1962.

Ding "Dingy" Bell, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (also known as It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World), United Artists, 1963.

Terence Scanlon, The Secret Invasion, United Artists, 1964.

(In archive footage) Himself, Hollywood: My Home Town, 1965.

(In archive footage) Himself, Inside Daisy Clover, Warner Bros., 1965.

Norman Jones, 24 Hours to Kill (also known as Twenty-Four Hours to Kill), Seven Arts, 1965.

Peachy Keane, How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, American International Pictures, 1965.

Gunnery sergeant Ernest Wartell, Ambush Bay, United Artists, 1966.

Adramalek, L'arcidiavolo (also known as The Devil in Love and Il diavolo innamorato), Warner Bros./Seven Arts, 1968.

"Blue Chips" Packard, Skidoo, Paramount, 1968.

W. W. J. Oglethorpe, The Extraordinary Seaman, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1968.

Vienna (short film), 1968.

Cockeye, The Comic (also known as Billy Bright), Columbia, 1969.

Wilfred Bashford, 80 Steps to Terror (also known as 80 Steps to Jonah), Warner Bros., 1969.

Indian Tom, The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County (also known as A Woman for Charley), Universal, 1970.

Himself, Hollywood Blue, 1970.

B. J. Lang, The Manipulator (also known as B. J. Lang Presents and B. J. Presents), Maron Films, 1971.

Himself, Mooch Goes to Hollywood (also known as Mooch), 1971.

Voice of Scarecrow, Journey Back to Oz (animated), Filmation, 1971.

Guardian angel, Richard, Aurora City, 1972.

Preston Gilbert, Pulp, United Artists, 1972.

Rocky Mastrasso, The Godmothers, 1972.

Cohost and narrator, That's Entertainment!, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1974.

Gas station attendant, Thunder County (also known as Cell Block Girls, Convict Women, Swamp Fever, and Women's Prison Escape), Prism Entertainment, 1974.

Laban, Rachel's Man (also known as Ish Rachel), 1974.

(Uncredited) Himself, Just One More Time, 1974.

Juego sucio en Panama (also known as Ace of Hearts and As de corazon), 1974.

Marty, Bons baisers de Hong Kong (also known as From Hong Kong with Love), 1975.

Himself, Hooray for Hollywood (also known as Hollywood and the Stars and Hollywood on Parade), Cinamo, Inc., 1975.

(In archive footage) Himself, It's Showtime (also known as Crazy Animals, Jaws, Paws, Claws, Wonderful World of Those Cukoo Animals, and World of Those Cuckoo), United Artists, 1976.

Himself, That's Entertainment!, Part II, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1976.

Trigger, Find the Lady (also known as Call the Cops! and Kopek and Broom), 1976.

Lampie, Pete's Dragon (live action and animated), Buena Vista, 1977.

Gus, The Magic of Lassie, International Picture Show Company, 1978.

Daad El Shur, Arabian Adventure, Associated Film Distributors, 1979.

Henry Dailey, The Black Stallion, United Artists, 1979.

Spiventa, The Domino Principle (also known as The Domino Killings and El domino principe), Avco-Embassy, 1979.

The railway engineer, The Emperor of Peru (also known as Odyssey of the Pacific, Treasure Train, La traversee de la Pacific, and L'empereur de Perou), Cine-Pacific, 1981.

Voice of Todd, The Fox and the Hound (animated), Buena Vista, 1981.

(In archive footage) Hollywood Outtakes, 1984.

Voice of Mr. Cherrywood, The Care Bears Movie (animated), Samuel Goldwyn, 1985.

(In archive footage) That's Dancing!, 1985.

Barney Ingram, Lightning, the White Stallion (also known as The White Stallion), Cannon, 1986.

Erik's grandfather, Erik the Viking (also known as Erik viking), Orion, 1989.

Elmer, Home for Christmas, New World Pictures, 1990.

Junior, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys, Samuel Goldwyn, 1991.

Barry Reilly, The Milky Life (also known as La vida lactea), 1992.

Chief of police, Maximum Force, PM Home Video, 1992.

Joe Petto, Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker, Still Silent Films, 1992.

Narrator, The Magic Voyage (animated; also known as Pico and Columbus and Die Abenteuer von Pico und Columbus), Atlas Film, dubbed version released by Hemdale Film Corporation, 1992.

Pat Jensen, The Legend of Wolf Mountain, Hemdale Releasing, 1992.

Voice of Flip, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (animated), Hemdale Releasing, 1992.

Zeke, Sweet Justice (also known as Killer Instincts), Triboro Entertainment Group, 1992.

Gabriel, Making Waves, 1994.

Grandpa James Spencer, Revenge of the Red Baron (also known as The Adventures of the Red Baron and Plane Fear), New Horizons Home Video, 1994.

Host, That's Entertainment III, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1994.

Himself, A Century of Cinema, 1994.

Himself, Radio Star—die AFN-Story, 1994.

O. B. Taggart, The Legend of O. B. Taggart (also known as The Outlaws: Legend of O. B. Taggart), Northern Arts Entertainment, 1994.

Professor Mort Sang, Killing Midnight, 1997.

(Scenes deleted) Kings of the Court, Tennis Classics, 1997.

Derelict, The Face on the Barroom Floor, 1998.

Fugly Floom, Babe 2: Pig in the City (also known as Babe in Metropolis and Babe 2), Universal, 1998.

Griffith, Michael Kael contre la World News Company (also known as Michael Kael in Katango and Michael Kael vs. the World News Company), Bac Films, 1998.

Tollkeeper, Animals and the Tollkeeper (also known as Animals), Magnolia Mae, 1998.

Holy Hollywood, 1999.

Internet Love, 2000.

Voice of Sparky, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (animated), Walt Disney Home Video/Buena Vista Home Video, 2001.

Prospector, Topa Topa Bluffs, 2002.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Himself, Hollywood's Magical Island: Catalina (documentary), 2003.

Simon/Henry, Sr., Paradise, Sunset International, 2003.

Grandpa, A Christmas Too Many, Echelon Entertainment, 2005.

Himself, Hedy Lamarr: Secrets of a Hollywood Star (documentary; also known as Hedy Lamarr: The Secret Communication), Tre Valli Filmproduktion, 2005.

David McCord, Strike the Tent, Strongbow Pictures/Solar Filmworks, 2006.

Max, To Kill a Mockumentary, Pizza Guy Films/Angry Irish Productions/SoDak Productions, 2006.

Savy (some sources cite Senoi), The Thirsting, Cinemavault Releasing International, 2006.

Brooks, Bamboo Shark, Mental Ward Film Productions, c. 2006.

Night at the Museum, Twentieth Century-Fox, c. 2006.

Some sources cite an appearance in a version of Heidi.

Film Appearances in Role of Andrew "Andy" Hardy:

A Family Affair (also known as Skidding and Stand Accused), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937.

Andy Hardy's Dilemma (short film; also known as Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics … and Other Things), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Judge Hardy's Children, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Love Finds Andy Hardy, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Out West with the Hardys, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

You're Only Young Once, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.

Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939.

The Hardys Ride High, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939.

Judge Hardy and Son, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939.

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940.

Andy Hardy's Private Secretary, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1941.

Life Begins for Andy Hardy, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1941.

Andy Hardy's Double Life, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1942.

The Courtship of Andy Hardy, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1942.

(In archive footage of screen test) Personalities, 1942.

Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944.

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (also known as Uncle Andy Hardy), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946.

Andy Hardy Comes Home, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1958.

(In archive footage) Alone. Life Wastes Andy Hardy (short film), Canyon Cinema, 1998.

Film Appearances in Role of Mickey "Himself" McGuire; Billed Variously as Mickey Yule, Mickey McGuire, or Mickey Rooney:

Mickey's Battle, 1927.

Mickey's Circus, 1927.

Mickey's Eleven, 1927.

Mickey's Minstrels, 1927.

Mickey's Pals, 1927.

Mickey in Love, 1928.

Mickey in School, 1928.

Mickey's Athletes, 1928.

Mickey's Babies, 1928.

Mickey's Big Game Hunt, 1928.

Mickey's Little Eva, 1928.

Mickey's Movies, 1928.

Mickey's Nine, 1928.

Mickey's Parade, 1928.

Mickey's Rivals, 1928.

Mickey's Triumph, 1928.

Mickey's Wild West, 1928.

Mickey the Detective, 1928.

Mickey's Big Moment, 1929.

Mickey's Brown Derby, 1929.

Mickey's Explorers, 1929.

Mickey's Great Idea, 1929.

Mickey's Initiation, 1929.

Mickey's Last Chance, 1929.

Mickey's Menagerie, 1929.

Mickey's Midnite Follies, 1929.

Mickey's Mix-Up, 1929.

Mickey's Northwest Mounted, 1929.

Mickey's Strategy, 1929.

Mickey's Surprise, 1929.

Mickey's Bargain, 1930.

Mickey's Champs, 1930.

Mickey's Luck, 1930.

Mickey's Master Mind, 1930.

Mickey's Merry Men, 1930.

Mickey's Musketeers, 1930.

Mickey's Warriors, 1930.

Mickey's Whirlwinds, 1930.

Mickey's Winners (also known as Mickey Wins the Day), 1930.

Mickey the Romeo, 1930.

Mickey's Crusaders, 1931.

Mickey's Diplomacy, 1931.

Mickey's Helping Hand, 1931.

Mickey's Rebellion, 1931.

Mickey's Sideline, 1931.

Mickey's Stampede, 1931.

Mickey's Thrill Hunters, 1931.

Mickey's Wildcats, 1931.

Mickey's Big Business, 1932.

Mickey's Busy Day, 1932.

Mickey's Charity, 1932.

Mickey's Golden Rule, 1932.

Mickey's Holiday, 1932.

Mickey's Travels, 1932.

Mickey's Ape Man, 1933.

Mickey's Big Broadcast, 1933.

Mickey's Covered Wagon, 1933.

Mickey's Disguises, 1933.

Mickey's Race, 1933.

Mickey's Tent Show, 1933.

Mickey's Touchdown, 1933.

The Lost Jungle (serial), Mascot, 1934.

Mickey's Medicine Man, 1934.

Mickey's Rescue, 1934.

Mickey's Derby Day, 1936.

Film Director:

My True Story, Columbia, 1951.

(Uncredited) The Bold and the Brave, RKO Radio Pictures, 1956.

The Private Lives of Adam and Eve, Universal, 1960.

Film Producer:

The Atomic Kid, Republic Pictures, 1954.

The Twinkle in God's Eye, Republic Pictures, 1955.

Associate producer, Jaguar, Republic Pictures, 1956.

Film Work; Other:

Performer of songs that have appeared in films, television productions, and videos.

Television Appearances; Series:

Mickey Mulligan, The Mickey Rooney Show (also known as Hey Mulligan), NBC, 1954–55.

Mickey Grady, Mickey, ABC, 1964–65.

Host, NBC Follies, NBC, 1973.

Oliver Nugent, One of the Boys, NBC, 1982.

Henry Daley, The Black Stallion (also known as The Adventures of the Black Stallion, The New Adventures of the Black Stallion, and L'etalon noir), YTV (Canada) and The Family Channel, c. 1990–93.

Voice of Talbut, Kleo the Misfit Unicorn (animated), [Canada], c. 1997–98.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

John Paul Jones, Bluegrass, CBS, 1988.

D. W. (the director), Luck of the Draw: The Gambler Returns, NBC, 1991.

Himself, MGM: When the Lion Roars (also known as The MGM Story), TNT, 1992.

(Uncredited; in archive sound footage) Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (also known as Judy Garland: L'ombre d'une etoile), ABC, 2001.

Himself, The 100 Greatest Family Films, Channel 4 (England), 2005.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Nelson Stool, Evil Roy Slade, NBC, 1971.

Old Bailey, "Donovan's Kid," Disney's Wonderful World (also known as Disneyland, The Disney Sunday Movie, The Magical World of Disney, Walt Disney, Walt Disney Presents, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, and The Wonderful World of Disney), NBC, 1979.

The Maker, My Kidnapper, My Love (also known as Dark Side of Love), NBC, 1980.

Bill Sackter, Bill, CBS, 1981.

Guest, Senior Trip, CBS, 1981.

Jack Thum, Leave 'em Laughing, CBS, 1981.

Bill Sackter, Bill: On His Own, CBS, 1983.

Mike Halligan, It Came upon the Midnight Clear, syndicated, 1984.

Jack Bergan, The Return of Mickey Spillane's "Mike Hammer", CBS, 1986.

James Turner (Jimmie the hermit), Little Spies, ABC, 1986.

Himself, There Must Be a Pony, ABC, 1986.

Father Flanagan, Brothers' Destiny (also known as Long Road Home and The Road Home), 1995.

Boss Ed, The First of May, Showtime, 1998.

Wellington, Boys Will Be Boys, c. 1998.

Sage, Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights, syndicated, 1999.

Movie Mason, Phantom of the Megaplex, The Disney Channel, 2000.

Television Appearances; Specials:

George M. Cohan, Mr. Broadway (musical), NBC, 1957.

Title role, Pinocchio (musical), NBC, 1957, simulcast on radio.

Himself, Glamorous Hollywood, 1958.

Voice of Kris Kringle, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (animated), ABC, 1970.

(In archive footage) Himself, Hollywood: The Dream Factory, 1972.

Fol-de-Rol, ABC, 1972.

Voice of Santa Claus, The Year without a Santa Claus (animated), ABC, 1974.

Himself, Backlot USA (also known as Dick Cavett's "Backlot"), CBS, 1976.

Voice of Santa Claus, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (animated), 1979.

Himself, From Raquel with Love, ABC, 1980.

Himself, Hollywood der Erinnerungen, [West Germany (now Germany)], 1980.

Himself, All-Star Comedy Birthday Party from West Point (also known as Bob Hope's All-Star Comedy Birthday Party from West Point), NBC, 1981.

Himself, Night of 100 Stars (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), ABC, 1982.

Ringmaster, Circus of the Stars #7, CBS, 1982.

Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope in "Who Makes the World Laugh?" Part II, NBC, 1984.

Himself, The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn (also known as The Spencer Tracy Legacy), PBS, 1986.

Himself, Stand-Up Comics Take a Stand!, The Family Channel, 1988.

Master of ceremonies, Miss Hollywood Talent Search, syndicated, 1989.

Himself, "The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park Grand Opening," The Magical World of Disney, NBC, 1989.

When We Were Young … Growing Up on the Silver Screen, PBS, 1989.

(In archive footage) Himself, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic, CBS, 1990.

The Family Channel's Fall Sneak Preview, The Family Channel, 1990.

Himself, Benny Hill: The World's Favorite Clown, BBC, 1991.

Himself, A Closer Look: Elizabeth Taylor, NBC, 1991.

Himself and Ding "Dingy" Bell, Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World", 1991.

Burt Reynolds' Conversations with …, CBS, 1991.

(In archive footage) Himself, The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion, CBS, 1993.

Host, Remember When, PBS, 1995.

Himself, The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies, HBO, 1995.

Here Comes the Bride … There Goes the Groom, CBS, 1995.

Himself, "Musicals Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM," Great Performances, PBS, 1996.

The 1997 Hollywood Christmas Parade, syndicated, 1997.

67th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, UPN, 1998.

Himself, AFI's 100 Years … 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies, CBS, 2000.

(In archive footage) Elizabeth Taylor: England's Other Elizabeth, PBS, 2000.

Himself, The Hollywood Christmas Parade, 2000.

Grand marshal, The Hollywood Christmas Parade, 2002.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Himself, Cleavage, 2002.

Himself, Gossip: Tabloid Tales, Arts and Entertainment, 2002.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Himself, Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star, TCM, 2002.

Himself, Hollywood Legenden, 2004.

Voice of Santa, The Happy Elf (animated), NBC, 2005.

Himself, Silent Hollywood: Cult, Stars, Scandals, Bayerischer Rundfunk (Germany), c. 2006.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

Presenter, The 29th Annual Academy Awards, NBC, 1957.

Himself, The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1979.

Presenter, The 52nd Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1980.

The 34th Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1980.

The 55th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1983.

America's All-Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (also known as America's Hope Award), ABC, 1989.

Presenter, The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards, PBS, 1991.

Presenter, Family Film Awards, CBS, 1996.

American Veteran Awards, History Channel, 2002.

The 75th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 2003.

(Uncredited) The 76th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 2004.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

"Saturday's Children," Celanese Theatre, ABC, 1952.

Himself, The Milton Berle Show (also known as The Buick-Berle Show and Texaco Star Theatre), NBC, 1956.

Title role, "Eddie," Alcoa Theatre, NBC, 1957.

Host, "The Miracle Worker," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1957.

Red McGivney, "The Lady Was a Flop," Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (also known as Herald Playhouse, The Playhouse, and Schlitz Playhouse), CBS, 1957.

Sammy Hogarth, "The Comedian," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1957.

Guest, The Ed Sullivan Show (also known as Toast of the Town), CBS, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1965.

Himself, What's My Line?, CBS, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1966.

Himself, "The Mickey Rooney Show," December Bride, CBS, 1958.

Himself, "The Dean Martin Variety Show I," Startime (also known as Ford Startime and Lincoln-Mercury Startime), NBC, 1959.

Samuel T. Evans, "The Greenhorn Story," Wagon Train (also known as Major Adams, Trail Master), ABC, 1959.

Al Roberts, "The Money Driver," General Electric Theater (also known as G.E. Theater), CBS, 1960.

Himself, "Billy Barty," This Is Your Life, NBC, 1960.

Samuel T. Evans, "Wagons Ho!," Wagon Train (also known as Major Adams, Trail Master), ABC, 1960.

Himself, The Revlon Revue (also known as Revlon Presents and Revlon Spring Music Festival), CBS, 1960.

Augie Miller, "Somebody's Waiting," The Dick Powell Show (also known as The Dick Powell Theatre), NBC, 1961.

George Bick, "Ooftus Goofus," Naked City, ABC, 1961.

Jack Daley, "I Thee Kill," The Investigators, CBS, 1961.

(In archive footage) Himself, "USO—Wherever They Go!," The DuPont Show of the Week, NBC, 1961.

Mike Zampini, "Who Killed Julie Greer?," The Dick Powell Show (also known as The Dick Powell Theatre), NBC, 1961.

Richard Winslow, "Shore Patrol Revisited," Hennesey, CBS, 1961.

Steve Margate, "The Paper Killer," Checkmate, CBS, 1961.

Guest, The Jackie Gleason Show (also known as You're in the Picture), CBS, 1961.

Arnold, "Calamity Circus," Frontier Circus, CBS, 1962.

Himself, "Modern Prison Sketch," The Jack Benny Program (also known as The Jack Benny Show), CBS, 1962.

Himself, "The Top Banana," Pete and Gladys, CBS, 1962.

Putt-Putt Higgins, "Special Assignment," The Dick Powell Show (also known as The Dick Powell Theatre), NBC, 1962.

Guest, The Andy Williams Show, NBC, 1962.

Babe Simms, "Five, Six, Pick up Sticks," Alcoa Premiere, ABC, 1963.

Grady, "The Last Night of Jockey," The Twilight Zone, CBS, 1963.

Sheriff Williams, "The Hunt," Kraft Suspense Theatre, NBC, 1963.

Sweeney Tomlin, "Everybody Loves Sweeney," The Dick Powell Show (also known as The Dick Powell Theatre), NBC, 1963.

Guest, The Judy Garland Show, CBS, 1963.

Panelist, Laughs for Sale, ABC, 1963.

Archie Lido, "Who Killed His Royal Highness?," Burke's Law (also known as Amos Burke, Secret Agent), ABC, 1964.

George M. Cohan, "The Seven Little Foys," Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater (also known as The Chrysler Theater and Universal Star Time), NBC, 1964.

Harry White, "Silver Service," Combat!, ABC, 1964.

Hoagy Blair, "Funny Man with a Monkey," Arrest and Trial, ABC, 1964.

Pan Macropolus, "Incident at the Odyssey," Rawhide, CBS, 1964.

Guest, The Jonathan Winters Show, NBC, 1964.

Himself, The Hollywood Palace, ABC, 1964, 1965, 1966, multiple appearances in 1967.

Lefty Duncan, "Kicks," Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater (also known as The Chrysler Theater and Universal Star Time), NBC, 1965.

Charlie Paris, "This'll Kill You," The Fugitive, ABC, 1966.

Himself, "Lucy Meets Mickey Rooney," The Lucy Show (also known as The Lucille Ball Show), CBS, 1966.

Eddie Julian, The Jean Arthur Show, CBS, 1966.

Shindig, ABC, 1966.

Guest, The Carol Burnett Show (also known as Carol Burnett and Friends), CBS, 1967, 1968.

Guest, The Dean Martin Show (also known as The Dean Martin Comedy Hour), NBC, 1968.

Guest, The Jackie Gleason Show (also known as The Honeymooners), CBS, 1969.

Les, "Cynthia Is Alive and Living in Avalon," The Name of the Game, NBC, 1970.

Himself, "Mickey Rooney Episode," The Red Skelton Show (also known as The Red Skelton Hour), CBS, 1970.

Guest, The Mike Douglas Show, syndicated, multiple episodes in 1970.

Guest, Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" (also known as Laugh-In), NBC, 1970.

Guest, The Merv Griffin Show, CBS, 1970, syndicated, 1971.

Guest, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (also known as The Best of Carson), NBC, multiple appearances beginning c. 1970.

"The Manufactured Man," Dan August, ABC, 1971.

August Kolodney, "Rare Objects," Night Gallery (also known as Rod Serling's "Night Gallery"), NBC, 1972.

Himself, "Judy Garland," The Hollywood Greats (also known as Hollywood Greats), BBC, 1978.

Santa Claus, "A Christmas Presence," The Love Boat, ABC, 1982.

Himself, "Mickey Rooney," This Is Your Life, syndicated, 1984.

True Confessions, syndicated, 1986.

Himself, "Mickey Rooney," This Is Your Life, Independent Television (England), 1988.

Rocco, "Larceny and Old Lace," The Golden Girls, NBC, 1988.

Guest, Reflections on the Silver Screen with Professor Richard Brown, American Movie Classics, 1990.

Hearts Are Wild, CBS, 1992.

Family Edition, The Family Channel, c. 1992.

Matt Cleveland, "Bloodlines," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1993.

Mr. Dreghorn, "Arrest Ye Merry Gentlemen," Full House, ABC, 1994.

Himself, Gottschalk Late Night, RTL (Germany), 1994.

Himself, "Mickey Rooney: Hollywood's Little Giant," Biography (also known as A&E Biography: Mickey Rooney), Arts and Entertainment, 1995.

Voice of himself, "Radioactive Man," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1995.

Gobe, "The Heart of the Elephant: Parts 1 & 2," Conan (also known as Conan the Adventurer), syndicated, 1996.

Harold Lang, "A Shaolin Treasure," Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, syndicated, 1996.

Himself, "Carmen Miranda: The South American Way," Biography (also known as A&E Biography: Carmen Miranda), Arts and Entertainment, 1996.

Himself, "Mickey Rooney," Private Screenings, TCM, 1997.

Voice of Ole Lukoje, "The Snow Queen," Stories from My Childhood (animated; also known as Mikhail Baryshnikov's "Stories from My Childhood"), PBS, 1997.

Dr. George Bikel, "Exodus," ER (also known as Emergency Room), NBC, 1998.

Lucius, "Lucky in Love," Mike Hammer, Private Eye, 1998.

Mr. Hardy, "The Follies of WENN," Remember WENN, American Movie Classics, 1998.

Himself, Elizabeth Taylor: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment, 1998.

Himself, Intimate Portrait: Donna Reed, Lifetime, 1998.

Art Sumski, "Life Insurance," Safe Harbor, 1999.

Himself, "Judy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow," Biography (also known as A&E Biography: Judy Garland), Arts and Entertainment, 1999.

Old man, "Goodbye, My Friend," Chicken Soup for the Soul, PAX TV, 1999.

Himself, "Retribution," Norm (also known as The Norm Show), ABC, 2000.

Himself, Intimate Portrait: Ava Gardner, Lifetime, 2000.

Guest, Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 2001.

Himself, Intimate Portrait: Judy Garland, Lifetime, 2001.

Himself, Last Days of Judy Garland: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2001.

Guest, "Wetten, dass …? aus Leipzig," Wetten, dass …?, 2002.

Himself, Liza Minnelli: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2002.

(Uncredited) Himself, "The Hangman's Noose," The Contender, NBC, 2005.

Himself, "Hollywood Goes to War," War Stories with Oliver North, Fox News Channel, 2006.

Appeared as Harry Burton, Jack's Place, ABC; appeared as himself in "Mickey Rooney," an episode of Celebrity Golf (also known as The Golf Channel Presents "Celebrity Golf with Sam Snead"), NBC, later broadcast on The Golf Channel; appeared in other programs, including Hollywood Squares and various news telecasts.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

The Mickey Rooney Show, ABC, 1964.

Superhero, Return of the Original Yellow Tornado, 1967.

Ready and Willing, NBC, 1967, later broadcast on Three in One, CBS, 1973.

Uncle Mickey Durbin, "Hereafter," A Year at the Top, CBS, 1975.

Mike O'Malley (title role), O'Malley, NBC, 1983.

Television Director:

Directed episodes of the series Happy, NBC.

Stage Appearances:

The Tunnel of Love, 1963.

See How They Run, Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jacksonville, FL, 1973, 1974.

Three Goats and a Blanket, Little Theatre on the Square, Sullivan, IL, 1976.

Mickey, Sugar Babies (musical revue), Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York City, 1979–82.

Himself, Night of 100 Stars (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1982.

Clem Rogers, The Will Rogers Follies (musical), Palace Theatre, New York City, between 1991 and 1993.

Lend Me a Tenor (musical), Chicago area production, 1993.

Crazy for You (musical), Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1995.

Hollywood Goes Classical (concert), Los Angeles Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, 2000.

Singular Sensations, Village Theatre, New York City, 2003.

Also appeared in other productions, including Gifts from the Attic (musical), Minneapolis, MN; and in W.C.

Major Tours:

George M! (musical), U.S. cities, c. 1970.

Mickey, Sugar Babies (musical revue), U.S. cities, 1983–87.

Two for the Show, U.S. cities, 1989.

The Sunshine Boys, U.S. cities, 1990.

The Mind with the Naughty Man, Canadian cities, 1994.

The Wizard, Professor Marvel, and other roles, The Wizard of Oz (musical), U.S. and Canadian cities, 1997–99.

Let's Put On a Show! (musical revue; also known as Mickey Rooney: Let's Put On a Show!; some sources cite original title as The One Man, One Wife Show), various international cities, beginning c. 1998.

Toured in vaudeville as Joe Yule, Jr., and later as Mickey Rooney with his family; toured in vaudeville with Sid Gold, 1932.

Radio Appearances; Specials:

Title role, Pinocchio (musical), NBC, 1957, simulcast on television.

Radio Appearances; Episodic:

"Strike Up the Band" (musical), Lux Radio Theatre, 1940.

"Babes in Arms" (musical), Lux Radio Theatre, 1941.

"Babes in Arms" (musical), Screen Guild Theatre, 1941.

RECORDINGS

Videos:

Himself, Hollywood's Children, 1982.

(In archive footage) Himself, 1930s: Music, Memories & Milestones, 1988.

(In archive footage) Himself, Oscar's Greatest Moments, 1992.

Himself, That's Entertainment! III Behind the Screen, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1994.

(In archive footage) Judy Garland's Hollywood, 1997.

(In archive footage) Broadway's Lost Treasures, Acorn Media, 2003.

(In archive footage) Judy Duets, Kultur Films, 2005.

Appeared in various recordings and collections of videos and DVDs.

Albums; with Others:

Girl Crazy (original soundtrack recording), Decca, 1944.

Sugar Babies: The Burlesque Musical (original cast recording), c. 1983.

(With Judy Garland) Mickey and Judy, c. 1991.

The Wizard of Oz (cast recording), TVT, 1998.

Appeared in other recordings, including Pinocchio (original television cast recording), Columbia.

Singles; with Judy Garland:

"Could You Use Me" (B side of "Embraceable You"), Decca, 1944.

"Treat Me Rough" (B side of "But Not for Me"), Decca, 1944.

Audiobooks:

Hanno Schilf, Silent Night, 1994.

WRITINGS

Screenplays:

The Godmothers, 1972.

The Legend of O. B. Taggart (also known as The Outlaws: Legend of O. B. Taggart), Northern Arts Entertainment, 1994.

Film Music:

Composer, Sound Off, Columbia, 1952.

Songs, The Twinkle in God's Eye, Republic Pictures, 1955.

Songs, The Bold and the Brave, RKO Radio Pictures, 1956.

Song "I'm So in Love with You," Baby Face Nelson, United Artists, 1957.

Songs "Lazy Summer Night," "The Octavians," "U Gotta Soda," and "Unkwinit," Andy Hardy Comes Home, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1958.

Television Music; Specials:

Song "Love Is Being Loved," Kathie Lee Gifford's "Lullabies for Little Ones," PBS, 1996.

Writings for the Stage:

(With Donald O'Connor) Two for the Show, tour of U.S. cities, 1989.

(With Jan Chamberlain Rooney) Let's Put On a Show! (musical revue; also known as Mickey Rooney: Let's Put On a Show!; some sources cite original title as The One Man, One Wife Show), tour of various international cities, beginning c. 1998.

Songs:

Wrote songs, including "Oceans Apart," a song performed by Judy Garland.

Nonfiction; Autobiographies:

I.E.,: An Autography, Putnam, 1965.

Me and You, 1990.

Life Is Too Short, Villard Books, 1991.

Contributor to periodicals, including Newsweek.

Novels:

The Search for Sonny Skies, Carol Publishing, 1994.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, Volume 3: Actors and Actresses, fourth edition, St. James Press, 2000.

Marill, Alvin, Mickey Rooney: His Films, Television Appearances, Radio Work, Stage Shows, and Recordings, McFarland and Co., 2004.

Marx, Arthur, The Nine Lives of Mickey Rooney, Stein & Day, 1986.

Periodicals:

Interview, May, 1992.

New York Times, July 7, 1993.

People Weekly, July 26, 1993, p. 65.

Electronic:

Mickey Rooney, http://www.mickeyrooney.com, February 23, 2006.

Rooney, Mickey

views updated May 08 2018

ROONEY, Mickey



Nationality: American. Born: Joe Yule Jr., in Brooklyn, New York, 23 September 1920. Education: Attended Dayton Heights and Vine Street elementary schools and Fairfax High School, Hollywood; Pacific Military Academy, Culver City, California; also attended a studio school at MGM. Military Service: U.S. Army, 1944–46. Family: Married 1) the actress Ava Gardner, 1942 (divorced 1943); 2) Betty Jane Rase, 1944 (divorced 1949), sons: Mickey Jr. and Timothy; 3) the actress Martha Vickers, 1949 (divorced 1951), son: Teddy; 4) Elaine Mahnken, 1951 (divorced 1958); 5) Barbara Ann Thomasen, 1958 (divorced), sons: Kerry and Kyle, daughters: Kelly Ann and Kimmy Sue; 6) Margie Lang, 1966 (divorced 1967); 7) Carolyn Hocket (divorced), two children; 8) the singer Jan Chamberlain, 1978. Career: Stage debut in his parents' vaudeville act at age 15 months as a midget; 1926—film debut as a midget in Not to Be Trusted; 1927–34—in series of short films about Mickey McGuire; 1937—first of the Andy Hardy films, A Family Affair; 1951—directed the film My True Story; 1963—in summer stock in the play The Tunnel of Love; 1964–65—in TV series Mickey, and a regular in TV series NBC Follies, 1973; 1964—toured nightclub circuit with dancer Bobby Van; has since toured in other plays; 1979—in theatrical revue Sugar Babies with Ann Miller, first in Los Angeles, then in long Broadway run, and touring (until 1985); 1992–94—in TV series The Black Stallion. Awards: Special Academy Award (with Deanna Durbin), "for their significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth and as juvenile players setting a high standard of ability and achievement," 1938; Best Actor César Award (France), for Baby Face Nelson, 1957; Special Academy Award, "in recognition of his 60 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances," 1982. Address: 7500 Devista Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90046, U.S.A.


Films as Actor:

1926

Not to Be Trusted (Buckingham—short)

1927

Orchids and Ermine (Santell)

1932

Emma (Brown); The Beast of the City (Brabin) (as Mickey Fitzpatrick); Sin's Pay Day (Seitz) (as Mickey McGuire); High Speed (Lederman) (as Mickey McGuire); Officer 13 (Melford); Fast Companions (The Information Kid) (Neumann) (as Midge); My Pal, the King (Neumann) (as King Charles V)

1933

The Big Cage (Neumann) (as Jimmy); The Life of Jimmy Dolan (The Kid's Last Flight) (Mayo) (as Freckles); TheBig Chance (Herman); Broadway to Hollywood (Ring Up the Curtain) (Mack and Rapf) (as Ted III, as child); The World Changes (LeRoy); The Chief (Reisner) (as Willie)

1934

Beloved (Schertzinger); I Like It that Way (Lachman) (as messenger boy); Love Birds (Seiter) (as Gladwyn Tootle); Half a Sinner (Neumann) (as Willie); The Lost Jungle (Schaefer and David Howard) (as Mickey); Manhattan Melodrama (Van Dyke) (as Blackie as a boy); Upperworld (Del Ruth) (as Jerry); The Hide-Out (Van Dyke) (as Willie); Chained (Brown) (as boy swimmer); Blind Date (Neill) (as Freddy); Death on the Diamond (Sedgwick) (as Mickey)

1935

The County Chairman (Blystone) (as Freckles); Reckless (Fleming); The Healer (Little Pal) (Barker); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Dieterle) (as Puck); Ah, Wilderness (Brown) (as Tommy Miller); Riffraff (Ruben)

1936

Little Lord Fauntleroy (Cromwell) (as Dick); The Devil Is a Sissy (The Devil Takes the Count) (Van Dyke) (as "Gig" Stevens); Down the Stretch (Clemens) (as Snapper Sinclair)

1937

Captains Courageous (Fleming) (as Dan); Slave Ship (Garnell) (as Swifty); A Family Affair (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Hoosier Schoolboy (Nigh) (as Shockey); Live, Love, and Learn (Fitzmaurice) (as Jerry Crump); Thoroughbreds Don't Cry (Alred E. Green) (as Tim Donahue)

1938

Out West with the Hardys (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); You're Only Young Once (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Love Is a Headache (Thorpe) (as Mike); Judge Hardy's Children (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Hold That Kiss (Marin) (as Chick Evans); Lord Jeff (The Boy from Bernardos) (Wood) (as Terry O'Mulvaney); Love Finds Andy Hardy (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Boys Town (Taurog) (as Whitey Marsh); Stablemates (Wood) (as Mickey)

1939

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Thorpe) (title role); The Hardys Ride High (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (Van Dyke) (as Andy Hardy); Judge Hardy and Son (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Babes in Arms (Berkeley) (as Mickey Moran)

1940

Young Tom Edison (Taurog) (title role); Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Strike Up the Band (Berkeley) (as Jimmy Connors)

1941

Andy Hardy's Private Secretary (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Men of Boys Town (Taurog) (as Whitey Marsh); Life Beginsfor Andy Hardy (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); Babes on Broadway (Berkeley) (as Tommy Williams)

1942

The Courtship of Andy Hardy (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); A Yank at Eton (Taurog) (as Timothy Dennis); Andy Hardy's Double Life (Andy Hardy Steps Out) (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy)

1943

The Human Comedy (Brown) (as Homer Macauley); Girl Crazy (When the Girls Meet the Boys) (Taurog) (as Danny Churchill Jr.); Thousands Cheer (Taurog)

1944

Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble (Seitz) (as Andy Hardy); National Velvet (Brown) (as Mi Taylor)

1946

Ziegfeld Follies (Minnelli); Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (Goldbeck) (as Andy Hardy)

1947

Killer McCoy (Rowland) (as Tommy McCoy)

1948

Summer Holiday (Mamoulian) (as Richard Miller); Words and Music (Taurog) (as Lorenz "Larry" Hart)

1949

The Big Wheel (Ludwig) (as Billy Coy)

1950

Quicksand (Pichel) (as Dan Brady, auto mechanic); He's a Cockeyed Wonder (Godfrey) (as Freddie Frisby); The Fireball (Garnett) (as Johnny Casar)

1951

My Outlaw Brother (My Brother, the Outlaw) (Nugent) (as Denny O'More); The Strip (Kardos) (as Stanley Maxton)

1952

Sound Off (Quine) (as Mike Donnelly)

1953

All Ashore (Quine) (as Francis "Moby" Dickerson); Mickey Rooney, Then and Now (Staub); Off Limits (Military Policemen) (George Marshall) (as Herbert Tuttle); A Slight Case of Larceny (Weis) (as Augustus "Geechy" Cheevers)

1954

Drive a Crooked Road (Quine) (as Eddie Shannon); The Atomic Kid (Martinson) (as Blix Waterberry); The Bridges at Toko-Ri (Robson) (as Mike Forney)

1955

The Twinkle in God's Eye (Blair) (as the Rev. Macklin)

1956

The Bold and the Brave (Lewis R. Foster) (as Dooley); Francis in the Haunted House (Lamont) (as David Prescott); Magnificent Roughnecks (Rose) (as Frank Sommers)

1957

Operation Mad Ball (Quine) (as M/Sgt. Yancy Skibo); Baby Face Nelson (Siegel) (title role)

1958

Andy Hardy Comes Home (Koch) (as Andy Hardy); A Nice Little Bank that Should Be Robbed (How to Rob a Bank) (Levin) (as Gus Harris)

1959

The Last Mile (Koch) (as "Killer" John Mears); The Big Operator (Haas) (as Little Joe Braun)

1960

Platinum High School (Rich, Young, and Deadly) (Haas) (as Steven Conway)

1961

Breakfast at Tiffany's (Edwards) (as Mr. Yunioshi); King of the Roaring Twenties (The Big Bankroll) (Joseph M. Newman) (as Johnny Burke); Everything's Ducky (Taylor) (as Beetle McKay)

1962

Requiem for a Heavyweight (Nelson) (as Army)

1963

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Kramer) (as Ding Bell)

1964

Secret Invasion (Corman) (as Terrence Scanlon)

1965

Twenty-Four Hours to Kill (Bezencenet) (as Norman Jones); How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (Asher) (as Peachy Keane)

1966

Il diavolo innamorato (The Devil in Love; L'arcidiavolo) (Scola); Ambush Bay (Winston) (as Sgt. Ernest Wartell)

1968

The Extraordinary Seaman (Frankenheimer) (as W.W.J. Oglethorpe); Skidoo (Preminger) (as "Blue Chips" Packard)

1969

The Comic (Carl Reiner) (as Cockeye); Eighty Steps to Jonah (Oswald) (as Wilfred Bashford)

1970

The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County (Leader) (as Indian Tom); Hollywood Blue (Osco)

1971

B. J. Lang Presents (Yablonsky)

1972

Evil Roy Slade (Parish—for TV); Richard (Yerby and Hurwitz) (as Guardian Angel); Pulp (Hodges)

1973

The Godmothers (Grefe) (+ co-sc)

1974

Az de corazon (Ace of Hearts) (Demicelli); Thunder County (Cell Block Girls; Convict Women; Women's Prison Escape; It Snows in the Everglades) (Robinson); That's Entertainment! (Haley Jr.—compilation) (as narrator); Journey Back to Oz (Hal Sutherland—animation) (as voice); The Year without a Santa Claus (Bass and Rankin Jr.—animation, for TV) (as voice of Santa Claus)

1975

Bon baisers de Hong Kong (Chiffre); Rachel's Man (Mizrahi)

1976

Find the Lady (Kopek and Broom; Call the Cops!) (Trent)

1977

Pete's Dragon (Chaffey) (as Lampie); The Domino Principle (The Domino Killings) (Kramer) (as Spiventa)

1978

The Magic of Lassie (Chaffey) (as Gus)

1979

The Black Stallion (Ballard) (as Henry Dailey); Donovan's Kid (McEveety—for TV) (as Bailey); Arabian Adventure (Connor) (as Daad El Shur)

1980

My Kidnapper, My Love (Dark Side of Love) (Wanamaker—for TV)

1981

The Fox and the Hound (Stevens—animation) (as voice of Tod); Leave 'em Laughing (Cooper—for TV); L'Empereur de Perou (The Emperor of Peru; Odyssey of the Pacific) (Arrabal) (as Emperor of Peru); Bill (Page—for TV) (as Bill Sackter); Senior Trip (Kenneth Johnson—for TV) (cameo)

1982

The Black Stallion Returns (Dalva) (as Henry Dailey); O'Malley (O'Herlihy); One of the Boys (Baldwin)

1983

Bill: On His Own (Page—for TV) (as Bill Sackter)

1984

It Came upon the Midnight Clear (Hunt—for TV)

1985

The Care Bears Movie (Arna Selznick—animation) (as voice of Mr. Cherrywood)

1986

Lightning—The White Stallion (Levey) (as Barney Ingram); Little Spies (Beeman—for TV); The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (Danton—for TV); There Must Be a Pony (Sargent—for TV) (cameo)

1987

Bluegrass (Wincer—for TV) (as John Paul Jones)

1989

Erik the Viking (Terry Jones) (as Erik's grandfather)

1990

Home for Christmas (McGubbin—for TV) (as Elmer)

1991

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (Rosenberg) (as Junior); Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (Kitrosser) (as Joe Petto); La Vida Lactea (The Milky Life) (Esterlich) (as Barry Reilly); The Gambler Returns: Luck of the Draw (Lowry—for TV) (as the Director)

1992

The Magic Voyage (as narrator); The Legend of Wolf Mountain (Clyde) (as Jensen); Maximum Force (Merhi) (as chief of police); Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (Hurtz and Hata—animation) (as voice of Flip)

1993

Sweet Justice (Plone)

1994

That's Entertainment! III (Friedgen and Sheridan—compilation) (as host); The Revenge of the Red Baron (Plane Fear) (Robert Gordon) (as Grandpa James); Radio Star—Die AFN-Story (Karnick and Richter—doc) (as himself)

1995

The Legend of O. B. Taggart (Hitzig) (+ sc); Brothers' Destiny (Hamilton—for TV) (Father Flanagan)

1997

Boys Will Be Boys (Dom DeLuise) (as Wellington); Animals (Di Jiacomo) (as Tollkeeper)

1998

Stories From My Childhood (series for TV) (as Ole Lukoje); Michael Kael vs. the World News Company (Smith) (as Griffith); Babe: Pig in the City (Miller) (as Fugly Floom)

(1927–34 series of "Mickey McGuire" shorts, directed by Herman, Montgomery, and Duffy; Rooney was billed first as Mickey Yule, then Mickey "Himself" McGuire, and Mickey Rooney):

1927

Mickey's Circus (includes Pals, Battle, Eleven)

1928

Mickey's Parade (includes In School, Nine, Little Eva, Wild West, In Love, Triumph, Babies, Movies, Rivals, The Detective, Athletes, Big Game Hunt)

1929

Mickey's Great Idea (includes Explorers, Menagerie, Last Chance, Brown Derby, Northwest Mounted, Initiation, Midnight Follies, Surprise, Mixup, Big Moment)

1930

Mickey's Champs (includes Strategy, Mastermind, Luck, Whirlwind, Warriors, The Romeo, Merry Men, Winners, Musketeers, Bargain)

1931

Mickey's Stampede (includes Crusaders, Rebellion, Diplomacy, Wildcats, Thrill Hunters, Helping Hand, Sideline)

1932

Mickey's Travels (includes Holiday, Golden Rule, Busy Day, Charity, Big Business)

1933

Mickey's Ape Man (includes Race, Big Broadcast, Disguises, Touchdown, Tent Show, Covered Wagon)

1934

Mickey's Minstrels (includes Rescue, Medicine Man)



Films as Director:

1951

My True Story

1961

The Private Lives of Adam and Eve (co-d with Zugsmith, + ro as Nick Lewis/Devil)



Publications


By ROONEY: books—

I.E. An Autobiography, New York, 1963.

Life Is Too Short, New York, 1991.

The Search for Sonny Skies (novel), Secaucus, New Jersey, 1994.


By ROONEY: articles—

"My Turn: The Value of Villains," in Newsweek, vol. 114, 27 November 1989.

Interview with George Christy, in Interview (New York), May 1992.


On ROONEY: book—

Marx, Arthur, The Nine Lives of Mickey Rooney, New York, 1986.

On ROONEY: articles—

Current Biography 1965, New York, 1965.

Jordan, D., and E. Connor, "Judge Hardy and Family," in Films in Review (New York), January 1974.

Shindler, Merrill, "'How I Did It!': Three Recent Comebacks that Have Worked," in Los Angeles Magazine, March 1980.

Marill, Alvin H., "Mickey Rooney," in Films in Review (New York), June/July 1982; see also letter in August/September issue.

Wright, J., in Making Better Movies: The Film and Video Monthly (Hertfordshire), vol. 4, November 1988.

Witchel, Alex, "At 73, Still the Star, Still the Child," in New York Times, 7 July 1993.

Nickens, C., "Editorials/Letters: Rooney Didn't Find Marilyn Monroe," in New York Times, vol. 142, A18, 20 July 1993.


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Mickey Rooney has done everything there is to do in show business—vaudeville, radio, legitimate theater, television, and film—all with equal success and, it might be said, equal failure. His is a career that reached the heights and plunged to the depths, but through it all Rooney kept on working and growing, the mark of a professional. His recent successes include nominations for the Tony (Sugar Babies), the supporting actor Oscar (Black Stallion, the inspiration for a later television series in which he also appeared), and an Emmy (Bill). The "comeback" such recognition indicates represents one of the most spectacular returns to the limelight in Hollywood history.

Rooney was born into a show business family. At the age of two, he joined his parents in their vaudeville act, and by the age of five was appearing in a series of filmed shorts under the name of Mickey McGuire. Throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, he made more than 40 appearances in films. By the mid-1930s he was called Mickey Rooney and was under contract to MGM as a successful child star. In 1937 he was featured in a minor film called A Family Affair, which introduced the family of Judge Hardy (played in that original movie by Lionel Barrymore). Rooney's appearance as the Judge's son, Andy Hardy, was to turn into a box-office bonanza as he became one of Hollywood's best-loved characters. Hardy became the idealized image of the all-American teenager, real enough to get himself into trouble, but strong enough to find his way out of it (though not without the wise counsel of his beloved father, played in the later Hardy films by Lewis Stone). In 1938 Rooney was awarded a special honorary Oscar for "bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth" and for "setting a high standard of ability and achievement" as Andy Hardy. In 1939, 1940, and 1941 Rooney was among the top box-office stars in the United States, a success attributable not only to the Hardy series, but also to his pairings with co-stars as diverse as Wallace Beery and Judy Garland. In these famous MGM films, Rooney sang, danced, clowned, played various musical instruments, emoted, and generally did everything with seeming ease and an abundance of raw talent. He was nominated for Oscars in 1939 and 1943. He was on top of the world at the age of 20, full of youth and energy, and with an apparently unlimited career ahead of him. By the end of the 1940s, however, and by his own admission, he was an unwanted commodity. "In 1938," he said, "I starred in eight pictures. In 1948 and 1949 together, I starred in only three."

During the 1950s, Rooney kept his career going by appearing in nightclubs and on television, and by forming an independent film production company to present himself as the star of a series of movies, none of which was really successful. He also tried his hand at dramatic roles, many of which were much against type. Rooney received another Oscar nomination for his intense performance as a doomed G.I. during the invasion of Italy in the iconoclastic war film The Bold and the Brave; drew excellent notices for his supporting role in Requiem for a Heavyweight, the film version of Rod Serling's celebrated television drama; and won a Best Actor César award (the French equivalent of the Oscar) for his Cagneyesque performance as the psychopathic title character of Don Siegel's much underrated gangster film Baby Face Nelson. Despite these accomplishments, his career faltered. Bankruptcy in 1962, various emotional problems, and seven divorces (which made him the subject of many jokes) all contributed to a difficult period in which Rooney was considered finished in show business. He developed himself further as a character actor, however, and began to find acclaim in television. He published an autobiography, pursued various business ventures, and taught acting, continuing to work professionally when and where he could. In the early 1980s he returned to Broadway in the long-running hit musical, Sugar Babies, and found himself once more back on top. When the Motion Picture Academy gave him a second honorary Oscar at its 1982 ceremony, his long career as the boy who could do anything and everything, but who had to grow up, was placed in perspective.

Rooney's abundant talent, like his film image, might seem like a metaphor for America: a seemingly endless supply of natural resources that could never dry up, but which, it turned out, could be ruined by excessive use and abuse, by arrogance or power, and which had to be carefully tended to be returned to full capacity. From child star to character actor, from movie shorts to television specials, and from films to Broadway, Rooney ultimately did prove he could do it all, do it well, and keep on doing it. His is a unique career, both for its versatility and its longevity.

—Jeanine Basinger, updated by John McCarty