Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney sadly passed away last night at the age of 93. Although he hasn't had that many big screen appearances as of late (he did have a cameo in 2011's THE MUPPETS), Rooney had been acting since he was a small child (getting his first big break in the "Mickey McGuire" short films) and was one of the last surviving actors who worked during the silent film era.
Mickey Rooney was perhaps best known for his Andy Hardy films, and his work with Judy Garland in such films as BABES IN ARMS and THOROUGHBREDS DON'T CRY. He also appeared in 1979's THE BLACK STALLION (as well as The Family Channel's television series The Adventures of the Black Stallion), and had a controversial role in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S.
After his breakthrough dramatic role in 1938's BOYS TOWN, many considered Rooney to be one of biggest box office draws at the time. The actor's career was in a slump for a bit after serving more than 21 months in the army shortly after World War II, however he later found new fame for his work in the 1980's, including his Golden Globe and Emmy winning role in the television movie BILL starring Dennis Quaid.
Mickey Rooney also guest starred on numerous television series (The Golden Girls, The Twilight Zone) and voiced many animated characters, such as Santa Clause in "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (1970), "The Year Without a Santa Claus" (1974), "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July" (1979), and "A Miser Brothers' Christmas" (2008), and as himself in a 1995 episode of The Simpsons.
R.I.P. Mr. Rooney. You will be missed.
