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Mickey Rooney Biography

Birth Name:Joseph Yule

Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Director, Producer, Writer, Music department

Fast Facts

  • First came to Hollywood to audition for a part in 1955’s "Little Rascals," which he ultimately didn’t get
  • As of 2013, Mickey had one of the longest-running film careers in history, having acted since the 1920s
  • Has been recognized as an advocate for animal rights, as well as an outspoken supporter of veteran’s and senior rights
  • The son of vaudeville performers, was exposed to the life of stage performance in his infancy, and had an accidental star turn at 17 months old when he sneezed offstage during his father's show, delighting the audience
  • While getting small parts in films as a child actor, also attended Hollywood Professional School with other then-unknowns such as Judy Garland and Lana Turner
  • Quote: "You always pass failure on the way to success․"
  • Trademarks included his raspy voice and short stature
  • Came to fame in childhood playing the role of Mickey McGuire in a series of 50 silent comedies
  • At the age of 19, was the first teenager to be nominated for an Oscar
  • Known for ability to adapt with age, having succeeded first as a child actor and teenage star, before taking on more paternal, mentor-like roles in later years

Awards

  • 1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
  • 1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
  • 1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
  • 1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
  • 1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
  • 1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
  • 1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
  • 1940Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
  • 1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
  • 1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
  • 1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
  • 1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
  • 1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
  • 1943Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
  • 1944Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1945Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1948Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1957Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1958Golden Laurel-Top Male Action Star: nominated
  • 1958Primetime Emmy-Actor - Best Single Performance - Lead or Support: nominated
  • 1959Primetime Emmy-Best Single Performance by an Actor: nominated
  • 1962Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1963Golden Laurel-Top Male Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 1964Golden Globe-Best TV Star - Male: winner
  • 1980Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1982Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1982Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: winner
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
  • 1992Gemini-Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: nominated
  • 2010Best Actor-: winner