Rooney, Mickey

(1920- )

   Born Joe Yule to a vaudeville family, Mickey Rooney took his stage name in 1932 after starring in a series of silent movies from 1927 to 1936 in a role as Mickey McGuire. He went on to be a child star in the 1930s, particularly as Andy Hardy, a character he played in 15 films starting with A Family Affair in 1937. Rooney also played Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1935 and starred in Boy’s Town in 1938. He made several musicals with another child star, Judy Garland, including Babes in Arms (1935), Strike Up the Band (1940), Babes on Broadway (1941), and their last film together, Words and Music (1948). Rooney starred in nonmusical roles in such successes as The Human Comedy (1943) and National Velvet (1944), where he played opposite a young Elizabeth Taylor. He entered the military in 1944, and after World War II his cinema career was less successful, although still extensive. Among his most memorable films were The Bridge of Toko-Ri (1954), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), and The Black Stallion (1979). Rooney appeared in 200 movies and in 1983 was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Motion Pictures.