Trivia

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.

In "The Guinness Book of World Records" he holds the record for longest movie career--86 years (1925-2011).

May have been the only actor in history to appear in at least one film in ten consecutive decades.

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. He attained the rank of sergeant and won a Bronze Star, among other decorations.

In 1938, Rooney 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 36 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.

He reunited with friend and former co star Judy Garland, as her singing and dancing partner, on an episode of The Judy Garland Show (1963). On that show, he displayed his music versatility by performing a drum solo.

At age 19 became the first teenager to be Oscar-nominated in a leading role for Babes in Arms (1939).

When he passed away in 2014, at the age of 93, he had at least three future projects that he was going to perform in.

Has four Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame including a star for Motion Pictures at 1718 Vine St., a star for Television at 6541 Hollywood Blvd., a star for Radio at 6372 Hollywood Blvd. and shared with wife Jan Rooney a star for Live Theater at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.

Overcame his drug addiction in the 1970s.

As of 2007 he was the only surviving 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 when he was four years old.

Originally came to Hollywood to audition for "Our Gang" (aka The Little Rascals (1955)), unfortunately Mickey's mother declined over a dispute over salary.

Alongside Norman Lloyd, William Daniels, Ernest Borgnine, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Lee, Dick Van Dyke, Betty White, Edward Asner, Marla Gibbs, Adam West, William Shatner, Larry Hagman, June Lockhart, Florence Henderson, Shirley Jones, Hal Linden and Alan Alda, Rooney was one of the few actors in Hollywood who lived into their 80s and/or 90s without ever either retiring from acting or having stopped getting work.

With the death of James Stewart on July 2, 1997, Rooney was the last surviving entertainer of the 46 caricatured in Hollywood Steps Out (1941).

When he died his eight surviving children said in a statement that they were barred from seeing Rooney during his final years.

His first of eight marriages was to Ava Gardner but his marriage to Jan Rooney was longer than those of all his other seven wives combined.

Former roommate of Blake Edwards.

Was an animal rights activist.

He chose to permanently reside with stepson Mark Rooney and Mark's wife Charlene Rooney. They moved to the Hollywood Hills in June of 2012 when he permanently and legally separated from his eighth wife.

Went to the same high school as Jason Robards, Ann Miller, Nanette Fabray, Lana Turner, Alan Hale Jr., Marge Champion, Alexis Smith and Joseph Wapner.

Was considered for the role of Archie Bunker on All in the Family (1971).

Was co-owner for many years of the Mickey Rooney Tabas Hotel in Downingtown, PA.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1980 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Sugar Babies."

Underwent double heart bypass surgery in 2000.

Began performing at the age of 17 months, as part of his parents' routine, wearing a specially tailored tuxedo.

With a film career that lasted from 1926 to 2015, he has the longest career in cinema history, surpassing Lillian Gish, whose career lasted from 1912-87, or 75 years. Carla Laemmle's career lasted from 1925-2015. Rooney's 339 film credits span ten consecutive decades: 1920s-2010s. Laemmle's 17 film credits include a break from 1939 to 2010 (except for a video short in 2001).

Rooney was a childhood movie hero to his The New Adventures of the Black Stallion (1990) co-star, Richard Ian Cox. Their friendship lasted 24 years, until Rooney's death in 2014.

Was a pallbearer at Errol Flynn's funeral along with Raoul Walsh, Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Jack Oakie, Mike Romanoff, and Otto Reichow on October 19, 1959, at the Church of the Recessional at Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA.

Mickey's stunt double was Jesse Wayne for 27 years beginning in 1959.

His hobbies included listening to music, football, golfing, dancing, horse racing, painting, getting together with old friends and watching classic movies.

Broke his leg while filming A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935) and was doubled in many scenes by George P. Breakston.

First appeared in films in 1926. He began his career as a contract player for MGM in 1934.

His acting career lasted for 89 years, with his first film being released in 1926 and his final one being set for distribution in 2015.

He played George M. Cohan three times, twice in TV specials and touring in the stage musical. "George M!".

Like Julie London, his parents were vaudeville performers.

On news of his passing, numerous television newscasters nationwide mixed up his name on-air with that of Andrew Rooney (aka Andy Rooney), humorist and writer for CBS, who died 2-1/2 years previously.

Ranked 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.

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.

Was #7 on the World Poker Tour Invitational, even though he had never played Texas Hold 'Em poker before.

Attended the state funeral of former President Ronald Reagan on 11 June 2004.

His son Teddy Rooney appeared with him in Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958), portraying Andy Hardy Jr.

Rooney was the son and only child of Scottish-born vaudevillian/actor Joe Yule and Nell Ruth Carter (born July 12, 1897, Kansas City, Missouri -March 3, 1966, Los Angeles, California), who was of English descent. Yule and Carter divorced in 1923, when Mickey (Joe Yule, Jr.) was three years old. In 1925, Rooney and his mother moved to Hollywood, where he attended Hollywood Professional School and Fairfax High School.

Together with his wife he toured the UK, appearing in selected theatres performing songs and telling stories about his career. (September 2007)

Was a compulsive gambler on horse racing.

Appearing in the UK at the Bristol Hippodrome on stage as Baron Hardup in Cinderella - the pantomime since December 2008 up to January 11 2009. (January 2009)

Release of his autobiography, "Life is too Short". (1991)

Sold his modest Westlake home in May 2013.

Tony Bennett and Regis Philbin were among the people to attend his 90th birthday party.

In November of 2013 he attended the memorial service for his longtime friend A.C. Lyles (aka "Mr. Paramount"). Also in attendance were Mickey's son Mark Rooney, Mark's wife Charlene and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Release of his book, "The Search for Sonny Skies: A Novel". (1995)