Mickey Rooney, one of the world’s most successful movie actors, whose career spanned over 80 years, has died at the age of 93. Rooney, who started acting when he was just seventeen months old, starred in over 300 films, and was nominated for four Academy Awards, receiving two special Oscars for his massive body of work.
Early success for the star came in 1937 in the film A FAMILY AFFAIR, where he starred as Andy Hardy, a character he would play in 19 more movies over eight years. He appeared in the film NATIONAL VELVET with Elizabeth Taylor in 1944 and also starred alongside Judy Garland in a series of musicals, and was considered to be the world’s most profitable film star during that time. By the sixties, his films had made over $3 billion, a colossal figure for the time.
It was the 1970s when he appeared in the superb PETE’S DRAGON for Disney which kickstarted a career revival for the actor, and he went on to appear in such film as ERIK THE VIKING, BABE: PIG IN THE CITY and NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM in 2006.
He acted right up until a couple of years ago, and even appeared in THE MUPPETS in 2011, and was still said to be planning future projects right up until last year.
Rooney died from natural causes, but sources say that he was ill for quite some time. He leaves behind his eighth wife Jan, and nine children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Rest in peace, Mickey.
Sources: TMZ, BBC, Fox
