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Judy Garland Museum®

Mickey Rooney

The honorary Oscar is the motion picture industry’s highest acknowledgment of film legends. It is given only occasionally, and the select recipients include such names as Charles Chaplin, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, Joan Crawford, Laurence Olivier and Deborah Kerr. In 1983, it was presented to Mickey Rooney.

Mickey RooneyThe consummate performer, Mickey Rooney made his first stage appearance at the age of one when he crawled out on stage during his parents’ vaudeville act. Mickey was born Joe Yule, Jr., on September 23, 1920 in Brooklyn, son of well-known performers Joe Yule and Nell Carter.

His motion picture career would encompass such movie classics as "Boys Town," "The Andy Hardy" films, "The Human Comedy," "National Velvet," "Midsummer Night’s Dream," his beloved teamings with Judy Garland and "The Black Stallion." In his career, he has had multiple Oscar nominations and a Best Actor Emmy for "Bill." Mickey Rooney’s versatility was proven again during his eight year run in the Broadway smash "Sugar Babies."

In the 1930’s he signed with metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for whom he made the famous "Andy Hardy" series. Box office receipts for 1938-1940 made him the number one star in the world. In 1939, he received a special Academy Award® nomination as best actor. It was the first time a juvenile had competed with adult stars for the honor.

Mickey has also been active in many classic dramas, such as "The Comedian," earning an Emmy nomination. In 1982 he portrayed Bill Sechter in the television film "Bill" and "Bill on His Own" receiving an Emmy, The Golden Globe, and the Peabody Award for his performance.

Mickey is also an accomplished musician and can play almost every instrument in an orchestra. As a member of ASCAP, Mickey has composed numerous pop songs, a symphony and several film scores. Vic Damone and Kathy Lee Gifford recently recorded his song "Love is Being Loved." He is truly a perpetual motion machine. He is an avid golfer and sportsman. He loves horses and spends much of the time at the track watching the races. He is currently a Director Emeritus for Hollywood Park, one of the world’s leading racetracks.

All of his achievements pale in comparison to what Mickey considers his greatest life achievement. That is Mickey’s over 20-year marriage to Jan (Chamberlin) Rooney. A stellar talent in her own right, Jan is a multi-faceted Singer, Actress, Songwriter and Abstract Artist. Mickey finds his most fulfilling moments when he performs with Jan and has the opportunity to enjoy her talents with an audience. They remain deeply in love with one another. They currently reside in Westlake Village, California. There they enjoy the pleasure and quiet of the country with the other loves of their lives, their three birds and three dogs. They are both strong Animal Rights Advocates.