MICKEY ROONEY BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Mickey Rooney was born on September 23rd, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York with the birth name Joseph Yule Jr.  His father, Joseph Yule was from Scotland and his mother, Nellie was from Kansas City, Missouri.  Both his parents were involved in vaudeville. 

At the age of seventeen months he was already performing with his parents.

His parents split in 1924 and he moved with his mom to Los Angeles where she managed a tourist home.  An add was placed by Fontaine Fox looking for a young boy to play the role of " Mickey McGuire " in a series of short films.  Joseph's mom took him to audition and he got the part for a total of seventy eight episodes from 1927 to 1936.  He was working with Fox and changed his stage name to Mickey Rooney.  He was also working on a variety of other films such as, "Officer 13" (1932) with Monte Blue and Lila Lee, "The Big Chance" (1933) with John Darrow and Myrna Kennedy, "The Lost Jungle" (1934) starring Clyde Beatty, George 'Gabby' Hayes and Hal Taliaferro, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1935) also starring Joe E. Brown, James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, Victor Jory and Dick Powell, "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (1936) co-starring Freddie Bartholomew, C. Aubrey Smith, Dolores Costello, Henry Stephenson and Guy Kibbee, "The Human Comedy" (1943) starring alongside Fay Bainter, Ray Collins, James Craig, Don DeFore, Darryl Hickman, Marsha Hunt, Van Johnson, Robert Mitchum, Frank Morgan, Barry Nelson, Henry O'Neill and Donna Reed and "A Family Affair" (1937) starring Lionel Barrymore, Cecilia Parker, Spring Byington, Eric Linden and Charley Grapewin, Selmer Jackson and Julie Haydon, with MGM with was highly successful and lead to thirteen more "Andy Hardy" films from 1937 to 1946.  Not only was he now successful in a series of shorts and another set of films, Rooney also received top billing for his role on, "Hoosier Schoolboy" (1937) with Anne Nagel, Frank Shields, William Gould and Edward Pawley. 

Rooney also worked alongside, Judy Garland in, "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry" (1937) also with C. Aubrey Smith, Ronald Sinclair and Sophie Tucker and then a break through role on, "Boys Town" (1938) starring Spencer Tracy, Henry Hull, Gene Reynolds, Edward Norris, Minor Watson and Addison Richards, followed by another successful role on, "Babes in Arms" (1939) co-starring Judy Garland, Charles Winninger, Guy Kibbee, June Preisser, Grace Hayes and Betty Jaynes, which was an Oscar nominated film.

When World war II came, Rooney joined the military in 1944 and served his country for 21 months he also entertained troops during and after the war.  He returned back to the entertainment industry directly after the War and worked on, "Words and Music" (1948) which again was with co star, Judy Garland. 

In 1954 he starred in his first television series, " The Mickey Rooney Show " which was also called "Hey Mulligan".  This aired for 32 episodes on NBC.  Rooney also took a chance at directing with Columbia Pictures the film, "My True Story" followed by directing another film, "The Private Lives of Adam and Eve" (1960) starring Mamie Van Doren, Martin Milner, Mel Torme, Paul Anka, Fay Spain, Tuesday Weld and Cecil Kellaway. 

He returned to working theatrical entertainment but did accept a variety of film roles on occasion. Three films which Rooney starred in serious dramatic roles less admired due to unfamaliar characters that audiences had become acustomed to him playing were "The Big Wheel" (1949) starring with Steve Brodie, Spring Byington, Allen Jenkins, Dick Lane, Hattie McDaniel, Thomas Mitchell and Michael O'Shea and "Quicksand" (1950) co-starring Jeanne Cagney, Barbara Bates, Taylor Holmes, Peter Lorre, Wally Cassell and Art Smith and " My Brother, The Outlaw " (1951) Wanda Hendrix, Robert Preston and Robert Stack.  One of the more controversial roles was on, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen and Martin Balsam.  In 1964, Rooney launched a 30 minute sitcom, "Mickey" on ABC which lasted seventeen episodes.

A classic animal film came along that fit Mickey like a glove "Mooch Goes to Hollywood" (1971) which was narrated by Richard Burton starring Zsa Zsa Gabor Vincent Price, James Darren and Jill St. John with cameos by Phyllis Diller, Sam Jaffe, Rose Marie, Dick Martin, Darren McGavin, Edward G. Robinson and Cesar Romero.

Throughout his lengthy career Mickey also appeared in numerous television shows such as "The Red Skelton Hour", "Burke's Law", "Checkmate", "Hennesey", "Playhouse 90", "Producers' Showcase", "G.E. True Theater", "Suspense" and "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre".

Rooney also did voice over work for four Christmas Television animated shows, "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" (1970), "The Year Without a Santa Claus" (1974), "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July" (1979) and "A Miser Brothers' Christmas" (2008). 

Rooney also  co-starred in Night at the Museum in 2006 with Dick Van Dyke and Ben Stiller and starred in the independent film, "Lost Stallions: The Journey Home" (2008) with his wife Jan Rooney where they appear as a married couple on the big screen.

Mickey Rooney has won a variety of awards during his professional career such as an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for his role in 1981's, "Bill", an Academy Juvenile Award in 1938 and in 1983 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted him for their Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement.
 
Mickey Rooney has been married a total of eight times.  He began with his first marriage in 1942 to Ava Gardner, followed by a marriage to Betty Jane Rase in 1944 which ended after he returned back from the war.  He then married  Martha Vickers in 1949 and Elaine Mahnken in 1952.  In 1958, Rooney married Barbara Anne Thompson and in 1966, while Rooney was working on a film in the Philippines, his wife who was a former pin up model was found dead in their bed next to her lover, Milos Lilos a friend of Rooneys who was also an actor.  The deaths were rulled as a murder suicide.  Following the loss of his fifth wife, Rooney became very depressed and he ended up marying Barbara's friend, Marge Lane, but only for 100 days.  His seventh wife was Carolyn Hockett from 1969-1974, but this marraige too ended in divorce.  Rooney's final marriage was to Jan Chamberlin in 1978 and as of 2010, he is still married to the same wife.  Rooney had a total of nine children.    

Rooney had a very successful professional life, however between his numerous unsuccessful marriage, his battle with depression, drug addiciton and gambling which almost caused bankruptsy, he finally decided to make a change and in 1970, Rooney became a born again Christian.

Mickey Rooney celebrated his 90th birthday on September 23rd, 2010 and in December 2010, he was honored as Turner Classic Movies Star of the Month.  He continues to work in films and travel with his wife.
 

Filmography
 
2011   Daddy's Little Hero  
2011   The Muppets 
2011   Bamboo Shark
2010   Driving Me Crazy  
2010   The Voices from Beyond
2011   Night Club
2011   Eagleheart 
2010   I Now Here 
2010   I Gerald
2009   Saddle Up with Dick Wrangler & Injun Joe
2008   A Miser Brothers' Christmas
2008   Empire State Building Murders
2008   Above the Line 
2008   Lost Stallions: The Journey Home
2008   Wreck the Halls 
2007   Behind the Director's Son's Cut
2007   A Christmas Too Many
2007   The Greatest Show Ever
2007   The Yesterday Pool
2006   Night at the Museum
2006   The Thirsting
2005   The Happy Elf
2005   The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams 
2004   Illusion Infinity 
2002   Topa Topa Bluffs
2001   Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure
2000   Phantom of the Megaplex
2000   Internet Love 
1999   Safe Harbor 
1999   Chicken Soup for the Soul 
1999   The First of May
1999   Holy Hollywood 
1998   Babe: Pig in the City 
1998   Remember WENN 
1998   Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights 
1998   Mike Hammer, Private Eye 
1998   ER 
1998   Michael Kael contre la World News Company
1998   Animals with the Tollkeeper  
1998   Stories from My Childhood
1998   The Face on the Barroom Floor 
1997   Conan
1997   Killing Midnight
1997   Boys Will Be Boys
1997   Kings of the Court
1997   Kleo the Misfit Unicorn 
1996   Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
1995   Brothers' Destiny
1994   Full House
1994   Revenge of the Red Baron 
1994   Making Waves
1994   Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart
1993   Murder, She Wrote 
1990-1993  The New Adventures of the Black Stallion 
1992   The Legend of Wolf Mountain
1992   Jack's Place 
1992   The Magic Voyage 
1992   Maximum Force
1992   Sweet Justice 
1992   La vida láctea
1991   Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker
1991   The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw
1991   My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
1990   Home for Christmas 
1989   Erik the Viking
1989   Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland 
1988   Bluegrass
1988   The Golden Girls 
1987   American Masters
1986   Little Spies
1986   Lightning, the White Stallion
1986   The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer 
1985   The Care Bears Movie
1984   It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
1983   Bill: On His Own
1982   The Love Boat  
1982   Odyssey of the Pacific 
1981   Bill
1981   The Fox and the Hound  
1981   Leave 'em Laughing
1981   CBS Library 
1981   Creole
1980   My Kidnapper, My Love
1980   O'Malley
1979   The Black Stallion
1979   Arabian Adventure
1979   Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
1979   Donovan's Kid
1978   The Magic of Lassie 
1977   Pete's Dragon 
1977   The Domino Principle  
1977   A Year at the Top 
1976   Find the Lady 
1975   From Hong Kong with Love 
1975   Ace of Hearts
1974   The Year Without a Santa Claus
1974   Journey Back to Oz 
1974   Thunder County 
1974   Rachel's Man
1973   The Godmothers
1972   Pulp 
1972   Night Gallery 
1972   Richard
1972  Fol-de-Rol
1972   Evil Roy Slade
1971   I The Manipulator
1971   Dan August
1970   Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
1970   he Tim Conway Comedy Hour
1957-1970  The Red Skelton Hour
1970   The Name of the Game
1970   Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County 
1969   80 Steps to Jonah  
1969   The Extraordinary Seaman
1969   The Comic
1968   Skidoo
1968   Vienna
1967   Ready and Willing
1966   The Devil in Love
1966   The Jean Arthur Show
1966   Ambush Bay 
1966   The Fugitive 
1964-1965  Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1965   How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
1965   Twenty-Four Hours to Kill 
1964-1965  Mickey
1964   Combat!
1964   The Secret Invasion
1964   Rawhide
1964   Burke's Law 
1964   Arrest and Trial
1963   Kraft Suspense Theatre
1963   It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
1963   Twilight Zone  
1963   Alcoa Premiere
1961-1963  The Dick Powell Theatre 
1962   Requiem for a Heavyweight 
1962   Frontier Circus  
1961   Naked City 
1961   Everything's Ducky 
1961   The Investigators 
1961   Breakfast at Tiffany's
1961   King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein 
1961   Hennesey  
1961   Checkmate
1960   The Private Lives of Adam and Eve
1960   G.E. True Theater
1960   Platinum High School  
1959   The Big Operator
1959   The Last Mile 
1958   Andy Hardy Comes Home 
1958   A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed 
1958   Alcoa Theatre 
1957   Baby Face Nelson 
1957   Pinocchio
1957   Operation Mad Ball
1957   Mr. Broadway
1957   Producers' Showcase
1957   Playhouse 90
1957   Schlitz Playhouse 
1956   Magnificent Roughnecks
1956   Francis in the Haunted House
1956   The Bold and the Brave
1955   The Twinkle in God's Eye
1954-1955  The Mickey Rooney Show  
1954   The Bridges at Toko-Ri
1954   The Atomic Kid
1954   Drive a Crooked Road
1953   A Slight Case of Larceny
1953   Off Limits 
1953   All Ashore 
1952   Sound Off
1952   Celanese Theatre 
1951   The Strip 
1951   My Brother, The Outlaw
1950   He's a Cockeyed Wonder
1950   The Fireball 
1950   Quicksand 
1949   The Big Wheel 
1948   Words and Music 
1948   Summer Holiday 
1947   Killer McCoy
1946   Love Laughs at Andy Hardy 
1944   National Velvet
1944   Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble 
1943   Girl Crazy
1943   The Human Comedy
1942   Andy Hardy's Double Life 
1942   A Yank at Eton 
1942   The Courtship of Andy Hardy 
1942   Personalities
1941   Babes on Broadway 
1941   Life Begins for Andy Hardy 
1941   Men of Boys Town
1941   Andy Hardy's Private Secretary 
1940   Strike Up the Band 
1940   Andy Hardy Meets Debutante 
1940   Young Tom Edison
1940   Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics... and Other Things
1939   Judge Hardy and Son
1939   Babes in Arms
1939   Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever
1939   The Hardys Ride High
1939   The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 
1939   Loews Christmas Greeting (The Hardy Family)
1938   Out West with the Hardys
1938   Stablemates 
1938   Boys Town
1938   Love Finds Andy Hardy
1938   Lord Jeff 
1938   Hold That Kiss 
1938   Judge Hardy's Children 
1938   Love Is a Headache  
1937   You're Only Young Once
1937   Thoroughbreds Don't Cry 
1937   Live, Love and Learn
1937   Hoosier Schoolboy 
1937   Slave Ship
1937   Captains Courageous
1937   A Family Affair  
1936   Down the Stretch 
1936   The Devil Is a Sissy 
1936   Little Lord Fauntleroy 
1936   Riffraff
1935   Ah, Wilderness! 
1935   Rendezvous 
1935   A Midsummer Night's Dream
1935   The Healer
1935   Reckless 
1935   West Point of the Air
1935   The County Chairman 
1934   Death on the Diamond
1934   Chained 
1934   Hide-Out
1934   Blind Date
1934   II The Lost Jungle
1934   Half a Sinner
1934   Mickey's Medicine Man
1934   Love Birds 
1934   Manhattan Melodrama 
1934   Upperworld 
1934   I Like It That Way 
1934   Mickey's Rescue
1934   I The Lost Jungle 
1934   I Beloved
1934   Mickey's Minstrels
1933   Mickey's Covered Wagon  
1933   The World Changes 
1933   The Chief
1933   Mickey's Tent Show
1933   Mickey's Touchdown
1933   Broadway to Hollywood 
1933   The Big Chance
1933   Mickey's Disguises 
1933   Mickey's Big Broadcast
1933   The Life of Jimmy Dolan 
1933   The Big Cage  
1933   Mickey's Race
1933   Mickey's Ape Man
1932   Officer 13 
1932   Mickey's Charity
1932   My Pal, the King 
1932   Fast Companions 
1932   Mickey's Golden Rule
1932   Mickey's Big Business
1932   High Speed
1932   Mickey's Holiday
1932   Sin's Pay Day
1932   Mickey's Travels
1932   The Beast of the City
1932   Mickey's Busy Day
1931   Mickey's Sideline
1931   Mickey's Helping Hand
1931   The Fisherman
1931   The Hare Mail 
1931   Mickey's Thrill Hunters
1931   Mickey's Wildcats
1931   Mickey's Diplomacy 
1931   Mickey's Rebellion
1931   Mickey's Crusaders
1931   Mickey's Stampede
1930   Mickey's Bargain
1930   Mickey's Musketeers
1930   Mickey's Winners
1930   Mickey the Romeo
1930   Mickey's Warriors
1930   Mickey's Whirlwinds 
1930   Mickey's Luck
1930   Mickey's Master Mind
1930   Mickey's Champs 
1929   Mickey's Strategy 
1929   Mickey's Big Moment 
1929   Mickey's Mix-Up 
1929   Mickey's Surprise
1929   Mickey's Midnite Follies
1929   Mickey's Initiation 
1929   Mickey's Northwest Mounted
1929   Mickey's Brown Derby
1929   Mickey's Last Chance
1929   Mickey's Menagerie
1929   Mickey's Explorers
1929   Mickey's Great Idea
1928   Mickey's Big Game Hunt
1928   Mickey's Athletes
1928   Mickey the Detective
1928   Mickey's Rivals
1928   Mickey's Movies 
1928   Mickey's Babies
1928   Mickey's Triumph
1928   Mickey in Love
1928   Mickey's Wild West  
1928   Mickey's Little Eva
1928   Mickey's Nine
1928   Mickey in School
1928   Mickey's Parade 
1927   Mickey's Battle
1927   Mickey's Eleven
1927   Mickey's Pals
1927   Mickey's Circus
1927   Orchids and Ermine 
1926   Not to Be Trusted