Remembering Mickey Rooney

Born Joseph Yule in Brooklyn in 1920, the future Mickey Rooney’s father was a comedian on the burlesque circuit; his mother was a dancer in chorus lines. By the age of two, he found himself on stage. In this photo, he is six years old. Archive Photos / Getty Images

After a series of roles in silent movies, Rooney reached the big time, with a contract at MGM and roles opposite the biggest stars of the day, including Spencer Tracy, left above, who, as Father Flanagan redeemed Rooney’s swaggering bully character in “Boy’s Town,” 1938. Everett Collection

Rooney memorably teamed up with Judy Garland in four musicals, starting with “Babes in Arms,” above, 1938, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. Everett Collection

The atmosphere and spirit of the “let’s put on a show” movies he made with Garland thrilled audiences and made the two into huge stars. Here the duo lead a number in “Babes on Broadway,” 1941. Everett Collection

Rooney also starred in another MGM franchise, the Andy Hardy series. The 15 movies featured him as the young teen in an idealized American town, where almost all problems could be solved after a conversation with Andy’s father Judge Hardy, played by Lewis Stone, above right, with Rooney in “Judge Hardy and Son,” 1939. Everett Collection

The actor was married eight times, including to Ava Gardner, above left, who was 19-year-old starlet when the two wed in 1942. Everett Collection

Like many Hollywood stars, Rooney was drafted for service in World War II. He served for 21 months. Here he entertains troops Kist, Germany in 1945. Everett Collection

As a man of short stature, Rooney as he got older was often cast as a jockey or a former jockey, perhaps most memorably in “National Velvet” above, with Elizabeth Taylor. Everett Collection

Rooney’s career had many ups and downs, but he almost never stopped taking roles. At the age of 86, he was one of three aging museum guards in the comedy “Night at the Museum”. 20th Century Fox / Everett Collection

In 1983, Rooney was given an honorary Academy Award in recognition of 60 years of “versatility in a variety of film performances.” He also received an Emmy and a Golden Globe in 1981 for his performance in “Bill.” He was 93. Mario Anzuoni / Reuters