Hollywood Legend Mickey Rooney Dead at 93
Mickey Rooney, the legendary actor who appeared in over 340 movies and television shows, has passed away. He was 93.
According to TMZ, Rooney died of natural causes after suffering from "ill health" for a long period of time.
Born on September 23, 1920, Rooney spent his entire life in show business. His first film role came in 1926 when he played Mickey McGuire in a long-running series of shorts, but that was just the beginning. Soon, he was voicing animated characters for Walt Disney and leading features, becoming the first teenage Oscar nominee in 'Strike Up the Band.' He would be nominated for three additional Academy Awards over the course of his very long career. He also found himself playing the character of Andy Hardy in over a dozen films, from 'A Family Affair' in 1937 to 'Andy Hardy Comes Home'in 1958.
Rooney's later career included notable films like 'National Velvet' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.' Although he kept working in the final years of his life, younger audiences will most likely recognize him from a key role in 'Night at the Museum' and an amusing cameo in 'The Muppets.' Although he never headlined films in his final years, he remained Hollywood royalty, a familiar face at the Oscars, and a reminder of the golden age of moviemaking. His passing is the end of an era. He will truly be missed.