Mickey Rooney

**Mickey Rooney** (born Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. and also known by the pseudonym Mickey Maguire) was an American actor with a career that spanned nearly nine decades. He was among the last surviving stars of the silent-film era and had appeared in over 300 films. Rooney was the top box-office attraction from 1939 to 1941, epitomizing the mainstream United States self-image through the role of Andy Hardy in a series of 16 films in the 1930s and 1940s. His career was marked by declines and comeback, with notable performances in vaudeville, radio, and as a film producer. At the height of his career, Rooney was one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's most successful actors, gaining recognition at an early age for his work in films and radio. He won a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award in 1982. Rooney first began his career in vaudeville as a child actor, making his film debut at age six. He later won a Bronze Star for performing in combat zones during World War II. Despite experiencing financial difficulties and personal challenges in his later years, Rooney remained active as a performer until his death in 2014.