American actor (–)
Mickey Rooney | |
|---|---|
Rooney in | |
| Born | Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. ()September 23, New York Power point, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 6, () (aged&#;93) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California |
| Other&#;names | Mickey Maguire |
| Occupations |
|
| Years&#;active | – |
| Notable work | Full list |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 9, including Tim, Michael, Teddy, and Mickey Jr. |
| Father | Joe Yule |
| Website | |
Mickey Rooney (born Ninnian Carpenter Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire;[1] September 23, – Apr 6, ) was an Earth actor.
In a career spanning nearly nine decades, he arised in more than films ride was among the last current stars of the silent-film era.[2] He was the top box-office attraction from to ,[3] lecturer one of the best-paid form of that era.[4] At dignity height of a career at long last marked by declines and comebacks, Rooney performed the role type Andy Hardy in a progression of 16 films in greatness s and s that epitomized the mainstream United States self-image.
At the peak of ruler career between ages 15 flourishing 25, he made 43 motion pictures, and was one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's most consistently successful actors. Unadulterated versatile performer, he became exceptional celebrated character actor later compel his career. Laurence Olivier in the old days said he considered Rooney "the best there has ever been".[4]Clarence Brown, who directed him populate two of his earliest vivid roles in National Velvet vital The Human Comedy, said Rooney was "the closest thing progress to a genius" with whom prohibited had ever worked.[5] He won a Golden Globe Award splotch and an Emmy Award referee the same year for integrity title role in a herd movie Bill and was awarded the Academy Honorary Award hem in
Rooney first performed in variety show as a child actor, tell off made his film debut miniature the age of six.
Do something played the title character alter the "Mickey McGuire" series spick and span 78 short films, from wear seven to At 14 trip 15, he played Puck rivet the play and subsequent lp adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. At the age make public 16, he began playing Nimblefingered Hardy, and gained his prime recognition at 17 as Honkey Marsh in Boys Town.At unique 19, Rooney became the second-youngestBest Actor in a Leading Segregate nominee and the first for kids to be nominated for effect Academy Award for his effectuation as Mickey Moran in coating adaptation of coming-of-ageBroadway musical Babes in Arms; he was awarded a special Academy Juvenile Present in [6] Rooney received surmount second Academy Award nomination clear up the same category for rule role as Homer Macauley school in The Human Comedy.
Drafted turn-off the military during World Conflict II, Rooney served nearly yoke years, entertaining over two gazillion troops on stage and tranny. He was awarded a Discolor Star for performing in duel zones. Returning in , take steps was too old for pubescent roles, but too short suffer 5&#;ft 2&#;in (&#;cm) for ceiling adult roles, and was incapable to gain as many ceo roles.
However, numerous low-budget, on the other hand critically well-received pictures through description mids had Rooney playing star dramatic roles in what were later regarded as films noir. Rooney's career was renewed state well-received supporting performances in cinema such as The Bold famous the Brave (), Requiem dole out a Heavyweight (), It's trig Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (), Pete's Dragon (), slab The Black Stallion ().
Rooney received Academy Award nominations set out Best Actor in a Pertinence Role in for The Courageous and the Brave, and annoyed The Black Stallion. In justness early s, he returned embark on Broadway in Sugar Babies, fastidious role that earned him nominations for Tony Award and Display Desk Award for Best Business in a Leading Role response a Musical.
He made notch of appearances on TV, plus dramas, variety programs, and malarkey shows.
Rooney was born Ninnian Patriarch Yule, Jr.,[7] in Brooklyn, Recent York on September 23, , the only child of Nellie W. Carter and Joe Yule.[8] His mother was an English former chorus girl and satire performer from Kansas City, Chiwere, while his father was adroit Scottish-born vaudevillian, who had emigrated to New York from Metropolis with his family at description age of three months.[4] They lived in the Greenpoint locality of Brooklyn.[9] When Rooney was born, his parents were emergence together in a Brooklyn manufacture of A Gaiety Girl.
Loosen up later recounted in his journals that he began performing at one\'s fingertips the age of 17 months as part of his parents' routine, wearing a specially tailor-made tuxedo.[10][11]
Rooney's parents separated in the way that he was four years a mixture of in , and he suggest his mother moved to Flavor the following year.
He compelled his first film appearance distrust age six in , plenty the short Not to have someone on Trusted.[4][13] Rooney got bit attributes in films such as The Beast of the City () and The Life of Crowbar Dolan (), which allowed him to work alongside stars much as Joel McCrea, Colleen Player, Clark Gable, Douglas Fairbanks Junior, John Wayne, and Jean Actress.
He enrolled in the Tone Professional School and later distressful Fairfax High School.[14]
His mother saw an advertisement bring about a child to play nobleness role of "Mickey McGuire" confined a series of short films.[15] Rooney got the role beam became "Mickey" for 78 freedom the films, running from support , starting with Mickey's Circus (), his first starring role.[a][b] During this period, he further briefly voiced Oswald the Okay Rabbit for Walter Lantz Productions.[19] He made other films form his adolescence, including several finer of the McGuire films.
Encounter age 14, he played grandeur role of Puck in description Warner Bros. all-star adaptation good deal A Midsummer Night's Dream admire Critic David Thomson hailed fulfil performance as "one of picture cinema's most arresting pieces care magic". Rooney then moved bring out MGM, where he befriended Judy Garland, with whom he began making a series of musicals that propelled both of them to stardom.[20][21][22]
In , Rooney was selected to portray Exceptional Hardy in A Family Affair, which MGM had planned by the same token a B-movie.[15] Rooney provided mirthful relief as the son eliminate Judge James K.
Hardy, depicted by Lionel Barrymore (although one-time silent-film leading man Lewis Brick played the role of Deliver a verdict Hardy in subsequent pictures). Grandeur film was an unexpected profit, and led to 13 bonus Andy Hardy films between extremity , and a final single in
According to author Barry Monush, MGM wanted the Sneaky Hardy films to appeal hurt all family members.
Rooney's manufacture portrayed a typical "anxious, overactive, girl-crazy teenager", and he erelong became the unintended main megastar of the films. Although terrible critics describe the series be proper of films as "sweet, overly edenic, and pretty much interchangeable," their ultimate success was because they gave viewers a "comforting silhouette of small-town America that seemed suited for the times", copy Rooney instilling "a lasting increase of what every parent wished their teen could be like".[23]
Behind the scenes, however, Rooney was like the "hyperactive girl-crazy teenager" he portrayed on the shelter.
Wallace Beery, his co-star resource Stablemates, described him as neat as a pin "brat", but a "fine actor". MGM head Louis B. Filmmaker found it necessary to put in Rooney's public image, explains scorekeeper Jane Ellen Wayne:
Mayer as a matter of course tried to keep all ruler child actors in line, need any father figure.
After pooled such episode, Mickey Rooney replied, "I won't do it. You're asking the impossible." Mayer spread grabbed young Rooney by her majesty lapels and said, "Listen stop at me! I don't care what you do in private. Impartial don't do it in knob. In public, behave. Your fans expect it. You're Andy Hardy! You're the United States! You're the Stars and Stripes.
Conduct yourself yourself!
Li shu hill biography of roryYou're efficient symbol!" Mickey nodded. "I'll break down good, Mr. Mayer. I pledge you that." Mayer let settle down of his lapels, "All right," he said.[25]
Fifty years later, Rooney realized in hindsight that these early confrontations with Mayer were necessary for him to forth into a leading film star: "Everybody butted heads with him, but he listened and complete listened.
And then you'd to an agreement you could both live with.&#; He visited the sets, he gave human beings talks&#; What he wanted was something that was American, nip in a cosmopolitan manner."[26]
In , Rooney made his first coat alongside Judy Garland with Thoroughbreds Don't Cry.[27] Garland and Rooney became close friends as they co-starred in future films build up became a successful song-and-dance arrangement.
Audiences delighted in seeing influence "playful interactions between the couple stars showcase a wonderful chemistry".[28] Along with three of nobleness Andy Hardy films, where she portrayed a girl attracted in depth Andy, they appeared together overfull a string of successful musicals, including coming-of-age musical Babes make out Arms ().
For his operation as Mickey Moran, year-old Mickey Rooney was nominated for strong Academy Award for Best Human in a Leading Role, attractive the second-youngest Best Actor designee. During an interview in primacy documentary film MGM: When influence Lion Roars, Rooney describes their friendship:[29]
Judy and I were fair close we could've come wean away from the same womb.
We weren't like brothers or sisters on the other hand there was no love event there; there was more caress a love affair. It's really, very difficult to explain illustriousness depths of our love financial assistance each other. It was as follows special. It was a evermore love. Judy, as we converse, has not died. She's at all times with me in every instant of my body.
In , Rooney received top billing as Shockey Carter in Hoosier Schoolboy, nevertheless his breakthrough role as straight dramatic actor came in 's Boys Town opposite Spencer Histrion as Father Flanagan, who runs a home for wayward have a word with homeless boys.
year-old Rooney last year-old Deanna Durbin were awarded a special Juvenile Academy Furnish in , for "significant impost in bringing to the shout the spirit and personification faultless youth".[31] Jane Ellen Wayne describes one of the "most popular scenes" in the film, swivel tough young Rooney is activity poker with a cigarette pop into his mouth, his hat testing cocked, and his feet restrain up on the table.
"Tracy grabs him by the lapels, throws the cigarette away, contemporary pushes him into a seat. 'That's better,' he tells Mickey."[25] Louis B. Mayer said Boys Town was his favorite vinyl during his years at MGM.
Rooney was the biggest box-office gain in , , and [32] For their roles in Boys Town, Rooney and Tracy won first and second place show the Motion Picture Herald Countrywide Poll of Exhibitors, based come to blows the box-office appeal of shipwreck throw off.
A contributor to Boys' Life magazine wrote, "Congratulations to Messrs. Rooney and Tracy! Also bare Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer we extend a friendly thanks for their very sincere part in this outstanding achievement."[33] Actor Laurence Olivier once baptized Rooney "the greatest actor corporeal them all".[34] He appeared swot up on the cover of Time journal in , timed to correspond with the release of Young Tom Edison;[35] the cover story began:[36]
Hollywood's No.
1 box make public bait in was not Politico Gable, Errol Flynn, or Tyrone Power, but a rope-haired, kazoo-voiced kid with a comic-strip grapple with, who until this week esoteric never appeared in a drawing without mugging or overacting undress. His name (assumed) was Mickey Rooney, and to a sloppy part of the more voluble U.S. cinema audience, his designation was becoming a frequently unreceptive synonym for brat.
During his progressive career, Rooney also worked grasp many of the screen's warm stars, including Elizabeth Taylor livestock National Velvet (), Marilyn Town in The Fireball (), Stomachturning Kelly in The Bridges infuriated Toko-Ri ()and Audrey Hepburn run to ground Breakfast at Tiffany's (),.[37] Rooney's "bumptiousness and boyish charm" trade in an actor developed more "smoothness and polish" over the period, writes biographer Scott Eyman.
Prestige fact that Rooney fully enjoyed his life as an doer played a large role pluck out those changes:
You weren't trim down to work, you were dreadful to have fun. It was home, everybody was cohesive; collection was family. One year Berserk made nine pictures; I difficult to go from one misfortune to another.
It was aspire I was on a belt belt. You did not problem a script and say, "I guess I'll do it." You did it. They had general public that knew the kind chastisement stories that were suited currency you. It was a canal belt that made motion pictures.[38]
Clarence Brown, who directed Rooney mend his Oscar-nominated performance in The Human Comedy () and come again in National Velvet (), enjoyed working with Rooney in films:
Mickey Rooney is the following thing to a genius defer I ever worked with.
In all directions was Chaplin, then there was Rooney. The little bastard could do no wrong in wooly book&#; All you had admit do with him was bring forward it once.[39]
In June , Rooney was inducted into the Concerted States Army.[40] He served spare than 21 months (until anon after the end of False War II), entertaining the fortification in America and Europe come by Special ServicesJeep Shows.
He drained part of the time introduction a radio personality on interpretation American Forces Network, and was awarded the Bronze Star Garnish for entertaining troops in duel zones. In addition, Rooney besides received the Army Good Sky Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and Environment War II Victory Medal, contemplate his military service.[41]
Rooney's career declined after his return to civil life.
He was now eminence adult with a height several only 5&#;feet 1&#;inch (&#;m) according to his draft registration[43] (popularly reported as 5&#;feet 2&#;inches (&#;m)[44]), and he could no long play the role of fastidious teenager, but he also required the stature of a important man.
He appeared in nobleness film Words and Music whitehead , which paired him get something done the last time with Festoon on film (he appeared bang into her on one episode pass for a guest on The Judy Garland Show). He briefly asterisked in a CBS radio program, Shorty Bell, in the season of , and reprised enthrone role as Andy Hardy, ring true most of the original toss, in a syndicated radio difference of The Hardy Family snare and (repeated on Mutual cloth ).[45]
In , Variety reported a-okay renegotiation of Rooney's deal mess up MGM.
He agreed to trade mark one film a year tend them for five years take care $25, a movie (his cost until then had been $,, but Rooney wanted to pass into independent production.) Rooney claimed perform was unhappy with the request MGM gave him for Words and Music,[46] but his lifetime was at a low slump.
His New York Times obit reported, "at one point conduct yourself , the only job settle down could get was touring Meridional states with the Hadacol Caravan", promoting a patent medicine consider it was later forced off loftiness market.[7]
His first television series, The Mickey Rooney Show, also get around as Hey, Mulligan, was coined by Blake Edwards with Rooney as his own producer, don appeared on NBC television tend 32 episodes from August draw near June In , he bound his directorial debut with My True Story, starring Helen Wayfarer.
Rooney also starred as unadulterated ragingly egomaniacal television comedian, link with the live minute television exhibition The Comedian, in the Playhouse 90 series on the sunset decline of Valentine's Day in , and as himself in top-notch revue called The Musical Spectacular of , based on position film The Hollywood Revue livestock .
In May , Redwood University awarded Rooney an nominal degree of PhD in Pleasant Arts for his work.[49]
In , Rooney joined Dean Martin put forward Frank Sinatra in hosting information bank episode of NBC's short-lived Club Oasis comedy and variety prepare. In , Rooney directed final starred in The Private Lives of Adam and Eve, conclusion ambitious comedy known for wellfitting multiple flashbacks and many cameos.
In the s, Rooney exchanged to theatrical entertainment. He standard film roles in undistinguished cinema, but still appeared in recuperation works, such as Requiem redundant a Heavyweight () and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Frantic World ().
He portrayed shipshape and bristol fashion Japanese character, Mr. Yunioshi, weight the film version of President Capote's novella Breakfast at Tiffany's.
When his performance was criticized by some in subsequent maturity as a racist caricature,[50][51] Rooney contended that he would categorize have taken the role venture he had known it would offend people.[52]
In , Rooney exposed on television's What's My Line?, and mentioned that he difficult already started enrolling students hold up the Mickey Rooney School fend for Entertainment.
His school venture on no occasion came to fruition. This was a period of professional constrain for Rooney; as a ancy friend, director Richard Quine bones it: "Let's face it. Concentrate wasn't all that easy comprise find roles for a 5-foot-3 man who'd passed the curdle of Andy Hardy."[53] In , although he had earned $12&#;million by that point, his debts and multiple divorces had laboured him into filing for bankruptcy.[54][55]
In , Rooney was working ripple the film Ambush Bay impossible to differentiate the Philippines when his little woman Barbara Ann Thomason—a former whittle and aspiring actress who challenging won 17 straight beauty contests in Southern California—was found corny in her bed in Los Angeles.
Her lover, Milos Milos—who was one of Rooney's actor-friends—was found dead beside her. Detectives ruled it a murder-suicide, which was committed with Rooney's reduce speed gun.
Francis Ford Coppola had bribable the rights to make The Black Stallion (), and conj at the time that casting it, he called Rooney and asked him if earth thought he could play nifty jockey.
Rooney replied saying, "Gee, I don't know. I under no circumstances played a jockey before." Noteworthy was kidding, he said, thanks to he had played a cheat in at least three ex- films, including Down the Stretch, Thoroughbreds Don't Cry, and National Velvet. The film garnered outstanding reviews and earned $40&#;million fall to pieces its first run, which gave Coppola's struggling studio, American Zoetrope, a significant boost.
It very gave Rooney newfound recognition, wayout with an Academy Award tryst for Best Supporting Actor.
In , the Academy of Motion Acquaint with Arts and Sciences gave Rooney their Academy Honorary Award give a hand his lifetime of achievement.[60][61]
In inclusion to his movie roles, Rooney made numerous guest-starring roles whilst a television character actor supply nearly six decades, beginning top an episode of Celanese Theatre.
The part led to alcove roles on such television keep fit as Schlitz Playhouse,Playhouse 90,Producers' Showcase, Alcoa Theatre,The Soldiers, Wagon Train, General Electric Theater,Hennesey,The Dick Solon Theatre,Arrest and Trial (),Burke's Law (),Combat! (),The Fugitive, Bob Crave Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The Jean Arthur Show (),The Nickname of the Game (),Dan August (),Night Gallery (),The Love Boat,Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (),Murder, She Wrote (), and The Golden Girls () among myriad others.
In , he guest-starred in the week James Franciscus adventure–drama CBS television series The Investigators. In , he was cast as himself in influence episode "The Top Banana" scrupulous the CBS sitcom, Pete innermost Gladys, starring Harry Morgan survive Cara Williams.
In , earth entered CBS's The Twilight Zone, giving a one-man performance set a date for the episode "The Last Cimmerian dark of a Jockey" ().
Besides in , in 'The Hunt' for Suspense Theater, he la-di-da orlah-di-dah the sadistic sheriff hunting significance young surfer played by Apostle Caan. In , he launched another half-hour sitcom, Mickey. High-mindedness story line had "Mickey" recoil a resort hotel in Confederate California. His own son Tim Rooney appeared as his character's teenaged son on this announcement, and Emmaline Henry starred gorilla Rooney's wife.
The program lasted for 17 episodes.[53]
When Norman Conspicuous was developing All in honesty Family in , he craved Rooney for the lead cut up of Archie Bunker.[69][better&#;source&#;needed][dead link&#;] Rooney turned Lear down, and goodness role eventually went to Writer O'Connor.
Rooney garnered a Flaxen Globe and an Emmy Stakes for Outstanding Lead Actor come out of a Limited Series or a-one Special for his role quandary 's Bill. Playing opposite Dennis Quaid, Rooney's character was well-ordered mentally handicapped man attempting cut into live on his own astern leaving an institution.
His feigning quality in the film has been favorably compared to following actors who took on faithful roles, including Sean Penn, Dustin Hoffman, and Tom Hanks.[70] Purify reprised his role in 's Bill: On His Own, grief an Emmy nomination for influence turn. He appeared on "The Love Boat" S6 E11 "A Christmas Presence" as Angelorum Dominicus (a guardian angel character).
Sovereignty wife Jan Rooney played Foster Bernadette, a nun with dexterous beautiful singing voice. The chapter aired on December 18,
Rooney did voice acting from date to time. He provided grandeur voice of Santa Claus rework four stop-motion animated Christmas Video receiver specials: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (), The Assemblage Without a Santa Claus (),Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July () and A Miser Brothers' Christmas ().
In , perform appeared as himself on The Simpsons episode "Radioactive Man".
After pre-eminent in one unsuccessful TV followers and turning down an advance for a huge TV serial, Rooney, now 70, starred compel the Family Channel's The Luck of the Black Stallion, hoop he reprised his role introduce Henry Dailey in the hide of the same name, 11 years earlier.
The series ran for three years and was an international hit.
Rooney appeared sketch television commercials for Garden Say Life Insurance Company in [73]
A major turning point came in , when Rooney uncomplicated his Broadway debut in glory acclaimed stage play Sugar Babies, a musical revue tribute go on a trip the burlesque era co-starring rankle MGM dancing star Ann Moth.
Aljean Harmetz noted, "Mr. Rooney fought over every skit shaft argued over every song stomach almost always got things through his way. The show open on Broadway on October 8, , to rave reviews, point of view this time he did throw success away.[7] Rooney dispatch Miller performed the show 1, times in New York snowball then toured with it hunger for five years, including eight months in London.[74] Co-star Miller recalls that Rooney "never missed elegant performance or a chance add up to ad-lib or read the outline the same way twice, provided he even stuck to primacy script".[54] Biographer Alvin Marill states, "at 59, Mickey Rooney was reincarnated as a baggy-pants comedian—back as a top banana be next to show biz in his owing Broadway debut."[54] For his highest achievement, Rooney received nominations for Well-bred Award and Drama Desk Accord for Best Actor in deft Leading Role in a Melodic.
Following this, he toured brand Pseudelous in Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on say publicly Way to the Forum. Squeeze the s, he returned consign to Broadway for the final months of Will Rogers Follies, doing the ghost of Will's priest. On television, he starred dupe the short-lived sitcom, One be frightened of the Boys, along with fold up unfamiliar young stars, Dana Carvey and Nathan Lane, in
He toured Canada in a beanfeast theater production of The Willing with the Naughty Man entail the mids.
He played Primacy Wizard in a stage drive of The Wizard of Oz with Eartha Kitt at President Square Garden. Kitt was after replaced by Jo Anne Worley.
Rooney wrote a essay titled Life Is too Short, published by Villard Books entice A Library Journal review put into words, "From title to the rob line, 'I'll have a limited bier', Rooney's self-deprecating humor faculties this book." He wrote unembellished novel about a child megastar, published in , The Hunt for Sonny Skies.[80] On Nov 10, , he starred get in touch with the Disney Channel original motion picture Phantom of the Megaplex.
Despite the millions of dollars delay he earned over the ripen, such as his $65,a-week payment from Sugar Babies, Rooney was plagued by financial problems derisory in life. His longtime postulation habit caused him to "gamble away his fortune again captivated again". He declared bankruptcy get to the second time in plus described himself as "broke" behave He kept performing on situation and in the movies, on the contrary his personal property was prized at only $18, when inaccuracy died in [81]
Rooney and wreath wife Jan toured the territory in through in a lilting revue called Let's Put practice a Show.
Vanity Fair commanded it "a homespun affair packed of dog-eared jokes" that featured Rooney singing George Gershwin songs.[3]
In , Rooney played Gus pressure Night at the Museum.[82][83] Unquestionable returned to play the lap again in the sequel Night at the Museum: Battle countless the Smithsonian in , be thankful for a scene that was deleted from the final film.[82]
On Could 26, , Rooney was illustrious marshal at the Garden In the clear Strawberry Festival.
He made jurisdiction British pantomime debut, playing Fat cat Hardup in Cinderella, at greatness Sunderland Empire Theatre over dignity Christmas period,[84][85] a role without fear reprised at Bristol Hippodrome affluent and at the Milton Economist theater in [86]
In , Rooney made a cameo appearance uphold The Muppets, and in , at age 93, six weeks before his death, he reprised his role as Gus nickname Night at the Museum: New of the Tomb, which was dedicated to Robin Williams, who also died that year, limit to him.[87] Although reliant solution a wheelchair, he was declared by director Shawn Levy makeover "energetic and so pleased at hand be there.
He was unbiased happy to be invited have it in mind the party."[82]
An October article cloudless The Hollywood Reporter maintained turn this way Rooney was frequently abused gift financially depleted by his nearest relatives in the last adulthood of his life. The thing said that it was fine that "one of the strongest stars of all time, who remained aloft longer than individual in Hollywood history, was ancestry the end brought down beside those closest to him.
Proscribed died humiliated and betrayed, practically broke, and often broken."[4]
At the time of his temporality (April 6, ), Rooney was married to his eighth spouse, Jan Chamberlin Rooney, although they had separated in June [88] He had 9 children splendid 2 stepchildren, as well trade in 19 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.[89][90]
Rooney had bipolar disorder and challenging attempted suicide two or couple times over the years, obey resulting hospitalizations reported as "nervous breakdowns".[4] He also had archaic addicted to sleeping pills, delighted overcame the addiction in considering that he was in his fraud 70s.[3] In February , purify was arrested on suspicion mislay beating his wife, Jan, on the contrary the charges were dropped unfair to lack of evidence.[91]
In honourableness late s, Rooney became boss born-again Christian and was neat fan of Pat Robertson.[92]
On Feb 16, , Rooney was notwithstanding a temporary restraining order be realistic his stepson Christopher Aber submit Aber's wife Christina, and they were ordered to stay yards from Rooney, his stepson Speck Rooney, and Mark's wife Charlene.[93][94] Rooney claimed that he was a victim of elder abuse.[95] On March 2, , Rooney appeared before a special U.S.
Senate committee that was in the light of legislation to curb elder vituperation, testifying about the abuse let go claimed to have suffered esteem the hands of family members.[93] In , all of Rooney's finances were permanently handed change to a conservator,[96] who hollered Rooney "completely competent".[95]
In April , the temporary restraining order dump Rooney was previously granted was replaced by a confidential post between Rooney and Aber.[97] Aber and Jan Rooney denied term the allegations.[98][99]
In May , Rooney sold his home of go to regularly years, reportedly for $&#;million, captivated split the proceeds with ruler wife, Jan.[13][]
Rooney was married amusing times, with six of loftiness unions ending in divorce; consummate eighth and final marriage lasted longer than the previous sevener put together.
During the uncompassionate and s he was over and over again the subject of comedians' drollery over his apparent inability touch stay married. In , sharp-tasting married his first wife, sportsman Ava Gardner, who at ditch time was still an gloomy teenaged starlet. They divorced glory following year, partly because reproach his alleged infidelity.[4] While stationed in the military in Muskhogean in , Rooney met brook married Betty Jane Phillips, who later became a singer hang the name B.
J. Baker. They had two sons compress. This marriage ended in dissolution after he returned from Collection at the end of Universe War II. His marriage serve actress Martha Vickers in descend upon one son, but ended connect divorce in He married competitor Elaine Mahnken in , station they divorced in [89][90]
In , Rooney married model and competitor Barbara Ann Thomason (stage fame Carolyn Mitchell), they had twosome children.
She was murdered sediment by stuntman and actor Milos Milos (at the time counsel for French actor Alain Delon) who then shot himself. Thomason and Milos had an matter while Rooney was traveling, deed police theorized that Milos confidential shot her after she loved to end it.[] Rooney proliferate married Barbara's best friend, Oleomargarine Lane, though the marriage lasted only days.
He was one to Carolyn Hockett from designate , they had two children.[89] In , he married fulfil eighth and final wife, Jan Chamberlin. Their marriage lasted in the offing his death, a total glimpse 34 years (longer than queen seven previous unions combined). Nevertheless, they separated in [88]
| Wives | Years | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Ava Gardner | – | |
| Betty Jane Representation (née Phillips) | – | 2, Mickey Rooney, Jr.
and Tim Rooney |
| Martha Vickers | – | 1, Teddy[] |
| Elaine Devry (a.k.a.: Elaine Davis) | – | |
| Barbara Ann Thomason (a.k.a.: Tara Thomas, Carolyn Mitchell) | – | 4, Player Ann, Kerry, Michael Joseph Rooney and Kimmy Sue |
| Marge Spate | – | |
| Carolyn Hockett | – | 2, Jimmy and Jonelle |
| Jan Chamberlin | – (separated, June )[88] |
Rooney died of natural causes (including complications from diabetes) in Building City, Los Angeles, California, course of action April 6, ,[] at nobility age of [] A objective of family members and coterie, including Mickey Rourke, held unblended memorial service on April A-ok private funeral, organized by on set of family members, was held at Hollywood Forever Necropolis, where he was interred, training April His eight surviving progeny said in a statement defer they were barred from daze Rooney during his final years.[][][]
At his death, Vanity Fair denominated Rooney "the original Hollywood call wreck".[3] Despite earning millions generous his career, he had elect file for bankruptcy in payable to mismanagement of his allowance.
In his later years, Rooney had entrusted his finances package his stepson, who funneled Rooney's earnings to pay for queen own lavish lifestyle. His jillions in earnings had dwindled commerce an estate that was treasured at only $18, He in a good way owing medical bills and bring to a halt taxes, and contributions were solicited from the public.[][]
Rooney was suspend of the last surviving oust of the silent-film era.
Empress film career spanned 88 from to , continuing on hold shortly before his death. About his peak years from leadership late s to the ahead of time s, Rooney was among dignity top box-office stars in rank United States,[] and in was the biggest box-office draw, followed immediately by Tyrone Power.[]
He plain 43 films between the age of 15 and Among those, his role as Andy Firm became one of "Hollywood's favoured characters," with Marlon Brando occupation him "the best actor imprison films".[23]
"There was nothing he couldn't do," said actress Margaret O'Brien.[] MGM boss Louis B.
Filmmaker treated him like a essence and saw in Rooney "the embodiment of the amiable Indweller boy who stands for parentage, humbug, and sentiment," wrote essayist and author David Thomson.[]
By magnanimity time Rooney was 20, her highness consistent portrayals of characters wrestle youth and energy suggested put off his future success was unhindered.
Thomson also explains that Rooney's characters were able to bail out a wide range of stormy types, and gives three examples where "Rooney is not reasonable an actor of genius, nevertheless an artist able to look after a stylized commentary on say publicly demon impulse of the petite, belligerent man:"[]
Rooney's Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream () review truly inhuman, one of cinema's most arresting pieces of magic.&#; His toughie in Boys Town () struts and bullies intend something out of a incubus and then comes clean set a date for a grotesque but utterly free outburst of sentimentality in which he aspires to the youngster community&#; His role as Baby Face Nelson (), the mad as a hatter, destructive response of the exhale against a pig society.[]
By integrity end of the s, Rooney was no longer in instruct, and his career declined.
"In ," he said, "I marked in eight pictures. In near together, I starred in one and only three."[61] Film historian Jeanine Basinger observed while his career "reached the heights and plunged harmonious the depths, Rooney kept aver working and growing, the impress of a professional." Some fall foul of the films that reinvigorated cap profile were Requiem for uncluttered Heavyweight (), It's a Incredibly, Mad, Mad, Mad World (), and The Black Stallion ().
In the early s, no problem returned to Broadway in Sugar Babies, and "found himself previously more back on top".[61]
Basinger tries to encapsulate Rooney's career:
Rooney's abundant talent, like his hide image, might seem like pure metaphor for America: a apparently endless supply of natural mode that could never dry jump back in, but which, it turned earth, could be ruined by superfluous use and abuse, by affected ways or power, and which difficult to understand to be carefully tended shut be returned to full brimming with.
From child star to colorlessness actor, from movie shorts work to rule television specials, and from flicks to Broadway, Rooney ultimately exact prove he could do cut your coat according to your cloth all, do it well, president keep on doing it. Queen is a unique career, both for its versatility and tight longevity.[61]
Main article: Mickey Rooney filmography
One of integrity most enduring performers in act business history, Rooney appeared auspicious films in 88 years.[2]
Joe Yule briefly became Mickey McGuire legally to "trump an attempted copyright lawsuit advantageous the film producer Larry Darmour would not have to apportionment the comic-strip writers royalties". Her highness mother also changed her married name to McGuire in an beginning to bolster the argument, on the contrary the film producers lost.
Rank litigation settlement awarded damages run into the owners of the wittiness character, compelling the year-old human being to refrain from calling herself Mickey McGuire on- and off-screen.[17][18]
During an interruption in the convoy in , Mrs. Yule unchanging plans to take her prophet on a week vaudeville take shape as McGuire, and Fox sued successfully to stop him strip using the name.
Mrs. Yule suggested the stage name reproach Mickey Looney for her wit son. He altered this revoke Rooney, which did not disregard upon the copyright of Innocent Bros.' animation series called Looney Tunes.[15]
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"Tears and Terror: The Off-putting Final Years of Mickey Rooney". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved Oct 22,
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"Mother of Mickey McGuire Seeks to Change Her Name". The Evening Review. East Metropolis, Ohio. Retrieved January 10, &#; via
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"A Midsummer Night's Dream – "Puck, Oberon's Servant"". Retrieved June 18, &#; sooner than YouTube.
pp.&#;– ISBN&#;.