Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney Facts
| Sign | Libra |
| Born |
Sep 23, 1920 Brooklyn, NY |
| Died |
Apr 6, 2014 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | Died at 93 |
| Total Facts | 57 |
Liza Minnelli wanted Rooney to do the eulogy at the funeral for her mother, Judy Garland in June of 1969, but decided against it because she felt that Rooney might not be able to get through it, given his and Garland's long and close friendship.
Donald Trump, Tony Bennett and Regis Philbin were amongst the people to attend his 90th birthday party.
According to one story, Mickey Mouse was named for Rooney. Walt Disney saw a young Rooney while he was working on the first drawings of what was to become Mickey Mouse. He asked the child actor what he thought of the drawings and also asked what his name was. This later proved to be false.
As of 2007, he is the only surviving screen actor to appear in silent films and still continue to act in movies into the 21st century. His film debut was in the movie Not to Be Trusted (1926) in 1926 at the age of four.
At age nineteen became the first teenager to be Oscar-nominated in a leading role for Babes in Arms (1939).
Attended the 2006 Twilight Zone Convention at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, August 12-13, 2006.
Attended the funeral of Liza Minnelli's former stepfather, Sidney Luft, just days before he had his 85th birthday.
Attended the state funeral of former President Ronald Reagan. (11 June 2004).
Began his career as a contract player for MGM in 1934.
Began performing at the age of 17-months, as part of his parents' routine, wearing a specially tailored tuxedo.
Best known by the public for his starring role as Henry Dailey on "The New Adventures of the Black Stallion" (1990).
Chris Aber, his step-son, has worked with Mickey for 30 years as his personal assistant.
During World War II he served 22 months in the U.S. Army, five of them with the Third Army of Gen. George S. Patton. Rooney attained the rank of Sergeant, and won a Bronze Star, among other decorations.
Father of Tim Rooney and Mickey Rooney Jr., from his marriage to Betty Jane Rase (B.J. Baker).
Father of Jimmy Rooney and Jonelle Rooney, from his marriage to Carolyn Hockett.
Father of Kelly Ann Rooney, Kerry Yule Rooney, Michael Joseph Kyle Rooney and Kimmy Sue Rooney, from his marriage to Carolyn Mitchell.
Former roommate of Blake Edwards.
Graduated from Hollywood High School in Hollywood, California, in 1938.
Has four (4) Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame including a star for Motion Pictures at 1718 Vine Street, a star for Television at 6541 Hollywood Boulevard, a star for Radio at 6372 Hollywood Boulevard, and shared with wife Jan Rooney a star for Live Theater at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard.
Has two grandchildren (Shannon Rooney and Dominique Rooney) and two great-grandchildren (Kaitlyn Rooney and Hunter Rooney).
He has 12 hobbies: listening to music, singing, football, dancing, praying, reading the Bible, golfing, travelling, horse racing, spending time with family, swimming, and watching classic movies.
He is most proud of his film The Black Stallion (1979).
He was a close friend of the Reverend Jerry Falwell.
His first of eight marriages was to Ava Gardner but has been married to current wife Jan Rooney longer than all of the other seven wives combined.
His future "The New Adventures of the Black Stallion" (1990) co-star, Richard Ian Cox, was a childhood movie hero of his.
His mother, Nellie W. Carter, hailed from Kansas City, Missouri.
His third child, Teddy Rooney, was born weighing 7 lb. 3 oz. on April 13, 1950, to Martha Vickers.
In 1938, he was severely reprimanded by MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer for having a torrid affair with Norma Shearer. The affair was causing quite a commotion on the set of her film Marie Antoinette (1938), where the two would hole up in her trailer. Mickey was 18 at the time. Shearer was 38 and her husband, MGM studio exec Irving Thalberg, had recently died. Mayer managed to keep the story from going public and it was not revealed until many years later, when Rooney gave the explicit details in his autobiography.
In Guinness book of world records for longest movie career of 86 years (1925-2011).
In his autobiography, he made a passing reference to a brothel called "The T&M Studio," where the ladies were look-alikes for Hollywood starlets. There were rumors of such a brothel, but before Rooney's book no one would ever admit to ever having been there, or even verify its existence. He wrote that Groucho Marx had taken him there (only once), and Groucho appeared to be on a first-name basis with many of the ladies.
Is a Republican.
Is an animal rights activist.
Is best/good friends with actors: Al Pacino, Betty Grable, Judy Garland, Ava Gardner, Dick Van Dyke, Lana Turner, Gloria DeHaven, Linda Darnell and Norma Shearer.
Is best/good friends with former child stars: Bill Mumy, Johnny Crawford, Susan Olsen, Adam Rich, Tony Dow and David Cassidy.
Is of Scottish ancestry.
Is portrayed by Moosie Drier in Rainbow (1978) (TV) and by Dwayne Adams in Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001) (TV)
Loves golf and the ponies.
May be the only actor in history to appear in at least one film in ten consecutive decades.
Mickey's son Teddy Rooney appeared with him in Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958), portraying - who else? - Andy Hardy Jr.
Moved with his mother to Hollywood, California, in 1925, when he was five. This was one year after his parents' separation.
On his 85th birthday, he and wife Jan Rooney both appeared in the play "Let's Put On A Show.".
Originally came to Hollywood to audition for "Our Gang" (aka "The Little Rascals" (1955)), but didn't get in.
Overcame his drug addiction in the 1970s.
Prior to being a successful actor, he also sold newspapers around the corner.
Ranks first in front of Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Jane Wyman, Eddie Albert and Ernest Borgnine, in the number of movies, he appeared in over 100 films.
Remains good friends with Richard Ian Cox, after "The New Adventures of the Black Stallion" (1990).
Son of Scottish-born vaudevillian/actor Joe Yule and Nell Carter. They divorced in 1923 when Mickey was 3 years old.
Stepfather of Christopher Aber and Mark Aber Rooney.
Underwent double heart bypass surgery in 2000.
Was an original member of the famed Hollywood Republican Committee which was established by Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, George Murphy, and Bing Crosby.