5 Things You Didn’t Know About Mickey Rooney, TCM’s Star of the Month
Mickey Rooney was one of those stars who just puts a smile on your face whenever you see him, whether you’re watching his early films with frequent costar Judy Garland, or his later work as the voice of Santa in multiple Rankin/Bass holiday specials like Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town. The December 2024 TCM Star of the Month was a Hollywood legend whose career lasted close to a century; when he passed away in 2014 at age 93, he left a permanent mark on film, television and theater.
From his early days as a child performer to his final projects into his 90s, Rooney’s life remains a testament to the power of the golden age of Hollywood. Here are five fascinating things you might not know about the star.
Everett Collection
1 Judy Garland’s Daughter Wanted Him to Speak at Her Funeral
Everett Collection
Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney sparked an unlikely friendship after they starred in 10 films together. When Garland passed away in 1969, her daughter, Liza Minnelli, initially wanted Rooney to deliver the eulogy. However, she eventually reconsidered, fearing it might be too overwhelming for him. However, their bond lives on in all of the projects they were in together and was evident in moments like their touching reunion on The Judy Garland Show in 1963.
Though Rooney was married a mind-bending eight times, he and Garland never tied the knot, and were never even known to be romantically involved. But in a 1992 interview, Rooney said “There was no love greater in my life than my love for Judy Garland. She was ‘my girl’ and in my heart, we belonged together.”
2 His Career Was So Long, It Set a New Record
Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Rooney holds the record for the longest movie career in history: 86 years, from 1925 to 2011. He began acting when he was just 17 months old, performing as part of his parents’ vaudeville act. During his 93 years on Earth, he appeared in 339 films and was recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records for this outstanding accomplishment.
3 He Was Hollywood’s First Teen Oscar Nominee
Everett Collection
At just 19 years old, Rooney made history as the first teenager to be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role in Babes in Arms (1939). While he didn’t win, this milestone was just one of many in a career that continually broke new ground.
4 He Earned a Bronze Star
Everett Collection
During World War II, Rooney didn’t just stay on the silver screen; he also served his country. He spent 22 months in the U.S. Army, including five serving under General George S. Patton’s Third Army. He attained the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star for his contributions.
5 His Controversial Love Life Included an Affair With an Older Woman
Getty Images
Rooney’s offscreen life was as interesting as his onscreen performances. Though he is noted for being oft-married, his relationships that didn’t lead to marriage were also often intriguing.
At 18, he had a headline-making affair with Norma Shearer, the widow of MGM executive Irving Thalberg. The 20-year age gap between Rooney and Shearer caused a stir on set of Marie Antoinette (1938), a film that Shearer starred in. MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer intervened to keep the scandal under wraps. Still, Rooney later spilled the details of the affair in his candid autobiography, Life Is Too Short.
Hollywoods Golden Year
April 2024
Return with us to the year film fans acknowledge as the finest in Hollywood history, 1939.
Buy This Issue