Mickey Rooney was Born This Day In History: 9-23-1920

The Hollywood News ^ | September, 23rd, 2005 | Terri Knudsen

[M. Espinola]

Here's a shot of Eddie Bracken. I just recall him from AMC :)

[Flux Capacitor]

"I've got an idea, everybody! LET'S PUT ON A SHOW!"

[HitmanLV]

I used to bump into Nell Carter all the time in downtown nyc when she was working regularly at what used to be the iconic Village Gate on Bleecker Street, before she became a primetime tv personality. She was a very nice lady and years later I came to learn she was fairly conservative politically. A shame she passed away.

[MindBender26]

It was.

[MindBender26]

It was.

Has 360 credited movies, more than any other actor.

[TitansAFC]

The last of the class acts in Hollywood.

He's a bit angry these days, mostly at what has happened to his old industry. He is embittered at how they treat religious people, and how spoiled and self-righteous the new generation of Hollywood is.

I once heard him tell Larry King right before the 2004 election that he had dinner with some big time investors in Hollywood who were all selling their stocks just before the election in the hopes of crippling Bush's reelection chances. He said that these guys would do anything - stoop to anything - to get rid of Bush.

The man has a sharp tongue, but his heart is in the right place. I think he's a true class act.

[HitmanLV]

He is a giant in the industry and one of the alltime greats, & I cut him a lot of slack too. That being said, he has crossed well into self parody - and that can't ever be good!

On a related note, I went to a presentation by Billy May (robot in Lost in Space, among other roles) back at a Chiller Convention in 2000 or so. He was booked for about 25 minutes but no joke they couldn't get him to shut up and off the stage. He kept talking and talking for about 90 minutes, backing up the whole program.

No bitterness or anything: just another short guy who just talks and talks and talks... ;-)

[HitmanLV]

Sorry - Bobby May, not Billy. ;-)

[M. Espinola]

William Demarest was in a number of movies during the 1930's, 1940's. Usually in funny parts, cops etc.

[Remole]

Lemme tell ya, this guy, with his talent, wow, if he were only a few inches taller, he would have had a better movie career. Instead, not too many good roles after 1950.

[HitmanLV]

No, reports are that Rooney has been that way pretty much for over 20 years now, and it's not getting any better.

[IndyTiger]

Wives:

Jan Rooney (18 July 1978 - present)
Carolyn Hockett (1969 - 1974) (divorced) 2 children
Marge Lane (10 September 1966 - 1967) (divorced)
Carolyn Mitchell (1 December 1958 - 31 January 1966) (her death) 4 children
Elaine Devry (1952 - 18 May 1958) (divorced)
Martha Vickers (3 June 1949 - 25 September 1951) (divorced) 1 child
Betty Jane Rase (30 September 1944 - 3 June 1949) (divorced) 2 children
Ava Gardner (10 January 1941 - 21 May 1945) (divorced)

[dead]

He is a giant in the industry

His movie career spanned nine decades. I think he's alone in that group.

[yarddog]

I would have guessed he was approaching 100. Not nearly as old as I thought.

I remember watching him on a tv show in the 50's probably. He played a guy named Ooftus Gooftus. It was so touching I was crying and I considered myself a tough guy.

[HitmanLV]

Rooney doing drama is pretty hot. Gleason was the same way - often identified with comedy, but great when it came to serious stuff, too.

[HitmanLV]

Iconic.

[HitmanLV]

Demarest was part of Preston Sturges acting posse. Sturges made some of the greatest comedies ever and most of them are as funny (and as relevant) today as they were when they were made.

[M. Espinola]

This is an interesting photo of Mickey.

Mickey practicing with the USO band during the war

[yarddog]

Rooney doing drama is pretty hot. Gleason was the same way - often identified with comedy, but great when it came to serious stuff, too.

I have noticed the same thing. Comedians are often great at portraying tragic characters.

[Saundra Duffy]

I love him.