Mickey Rooney

Born September 23, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York Joe Yule, Jr. or Mickey Rooney began his acting career in his parents' vaudeville act. He was in his first film in 1926 and he played the principal character in the Mickey McGuire Short film series. This series convinced him to change his name to Mickey.
He was in A Family Affair in 1937 with Andy Hardy and together they appeared in nearly 20 films. Other films that boosted Rooney's career was Boys Town in 1938 and Babes in Arms in 1939. In 1939 Rooney appeared with Judy Garland in Girl Crazy in 1943 and with Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet 1944.
After WWII, Rooney's film presence seemed to wane and he turned to television. The Mickey Rooney Show ran from 1954 to 1955 and he also made television guest appearances, performed in nightclubs and landed small firm parts. He shined in The Bold and the Brave in 1956 and Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961. He also played with Anthony Quinn in Requiem for a Heavyweight in 1962. Rooney was still one of Hollywood's enduring greats, He was very good in The Black Stallion which gave him an Academy award nomination in 1979. He was also in a revival of Sugar Babies on Broadway with Ann Miller.
In 1981 Rooney received an Emmy Award for his role in Bill. He received an honorary Academy Award in recognition of his 60 years of acting. He continues to appear in Night at the Museum in 2006, The Muppets in 2011 and he also speaks about elder abuse. Rooney has been married eight times and has at least nine children. He is currently married to Jan Rooney, but they are separated. Rooney continues to live a full life at the age of 94.