The film industry has lost one of its last living legends. Mickey Rooney, a multitalented performer whose career spanned from 1926 through 2014, has passed away at the age of 93.
Mickey Rooney began his film career in the silent era with the 1926 short Not to Be Trusted, but quickly became one of the sound era’s biggest stars, headlining a series of short films from 1927-1934 as “Mickey McGuire,” and eventually earning acclaim for his role as Puck in the unforgettable 1935 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and box office success as the character Andy Hardy in a 16 film franchise produced between 1937 and 1958. One of the most prominent child actors of the 1930s, Mickey Rooney won a Juvenile Academy Award for his collected works in 1939, and was declared the biggest box office draw from 1939-1941.
As with many child stars, Mickey Rooney was typecast as a young performer and had difficulty transitioning out of youthful hero roles in films like National Velvet (1944) until much later in his career. Rooney battled bankruptcy during this time period, but remained a constant presence on the big screen and TV series like “The Mickey Rooney Show,” “Mickey,” “The Twilight Zone” and Rankin-Bass’s many stop-motion animated holiday specials, voicing the role of Santa Claus in the TV movies “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “The Year Without a Santa Claus” and “Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July.” But unfortunately no discussion of Mickey Rooney’s career would be complete without a mention of his performance as “Mr. Yunioshi” in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a racist caricature that has in the decades that followed come to represent one of the low water marks for Hollywood’s representations of minority cultures.
Mickey Rooney’s personal life was nearly as a big as his on-screen performances, serving 21 months in World War II and marrying seven times (including to movie star Ava Gardner, before her own career took off, from 1942-1943). He was awarded many times over the course of his long career, including a lifetime achievement honor from the Academy Awards in 1983. He would go on to act for over 30 years, until the year he died.
Mickey Rooney truly was one of the hardest working actors in show business, working steadily as a child in the silent era through stardom in the 1930s and 1940s through a stream of memorable character roles in the latter half of the 20th Century. In no uncertain terms, the film industry has lost one of its last great legends. He will be missed.
William Bibbiani is the editor of CraveOnline’s Film Channel and co-host of The B-Movies Podcast. Follow him on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani.
Celebrities Who Died in 2014
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Bob Hoskins
October 26, 1942 - April 29, 2014 (aged 71)
Robert William "Bob" Hoskins, Jr. was an English actor known for playing gangsters. His most notable films include 'Who Framed Roger Rabit', 'Mermaids', and most recently, 'Snow White and the Huntsman'.
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The Ultimate Warrior
June 16, 1959 – April 8, 2014 (aged 54)
James Brian Hellwig was a professional wrestle by the ring name The Ultimate Warrior. He was best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) where we won numerous championships and faced off in Main Events against Hulk Hogan among many other WWE greats. He passed away three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
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Mickey Rooney
September 23, 1920 - April 6, 2014 (aged 93)
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor that began his film career in the silent era with the 1926 short Not to Be Trusted, but quickly became one of the sound era's biggest stars, headlining a series of short films from 1927-1934 as "Mickey McGuire," and eventually earning acclaim for his role as Puck in the unforgettable 1935 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and box office success as the character Andy Hardy in a 16 film franchise produced between 1937 and 1958. One of the most prominent child actors of the 1930s, Mickey Rooney won a Juvenile Academy Award for his collected works in 1939, and was declared the biggest box office draw from 1939-1941.
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John Pinette
March 23, 1964 - April 5, 2014 (aged 50)
John Pinette was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He toured the comedy club circuit beginning in the 1980s and appeared in cinema and on television. Besides stand-up, Pinette did impressions of The Chipmunks, Elvis Presley, Gollum from The Lord of the Rings, Hervé Villechaize (Tattoo from Fantasy Island), an Ewok, actor Marlon Brando (notably Brando's role in The Godfather), as well as various ethnic accents. He occasionally sang, for example "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz, in stand-up routines. (Photo by Paul Warner/Getty Images)
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Dave Brockie
August 30th, 1963 - March 23rd, 2014 (aged 50)
Dave Brockie was better known by his stage name Oderus Urungus, the lead vocalist of the off-the-wall metal band Gwar. Gwar's theatrics and, ahem, unusual attire has deservedly earned them a place in metal fans' hearts as some of the best showmen in the genre, and Dave Brockie was a huge part of that.
Lamb of God's Randy Blythe was one of many who paid tribute to Brockie, writing: "Thank you, Brockie, for all the crazy shit you did. Thank God you existed, so you could do it and I didn't have to. It was an honor to know you, to be your Shaky Slave, to serve in the Blood Vomits along side you (let's ride!), and to be soaked by your sweet cuttlefish."
Read our memorial piece on Dave Brockie here.
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Fred Phelps
November 13th, 1929 - March 19th, 2014
The hate-filled founder of ultra right-wing propagandists Westboro Baptist Church, Fred Phelps was despised by anyone with a functioning moral compass, and for good reason. Leading Westboro's followers on rallies which saw them brandishing signs reading 'GOD HATES FAGS', Phelps fittingly died a lonely, embittered old man.
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Harold Ramis
November 21st, 1994 - February 24th, 2014 (aged 69)
Harold Ramis is perhaps best known for his acting roles as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2, but his contributions to film extend far beyond that. As the director of beloved comedy films such as Groundhog Day, National Lampoon and Caddyshack, It was Ramis' work behind the scenes that solidifed his position as one of cinema's greats, even if his later work could never compare to his early output.
Read our full memorial piece on Harold Ramis here.
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Bob Casale
14th July, 1952 - 17th February, 2014 (aged 61)
Bob Casale was best known for his work as the guitarist and keyboardist in Devo, a new wave band that rose to prominence in the 1980's following the release of their most well-known single, 'Whip It'. Devo were championed by the likes of David Bowie and Iggy Pop in their heyday, and were still active up until Casale's death.
Read our full memorial piece on Bob Casale here.
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Ralph Waite
June 22nd, 1928 - February 13th, 2014 (aged 85)
Ralph Waite was best known for his role as John Walton, Sr. on the classic US TV series The Waltons, and also ran for United States Congress three times for the Democrats, though was ultimately unsuccessful each time. Waite also made multiple TV appearances following The Waltons, including an 8-episode run in NCIS as Jackson Gibbs, and multiple appearances in Bones.
Image: CBS
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Shirley Temple
April 23rd, 1928 - February 10th, 2014 (aged 85)
Shirley Temple rose to fame at a young age as Hollywood's most talented child star, thanks to performances in films such as Bright Eyes and Curly Top. Temple received the Juvenile Academy Award in 1935 for her outstanding contribution as a child performer.
In 1967, Temple unsuccessfully ran for United States Congress, before being appointed the United States Ambassador to Ghana in 1974 and to Czechoslovakia in 1989.
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Philip Seymour Hoffman
July 23rd, 1967 - February 2nd, 2014 (aged 46)
The tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman was a huge shock to many. Widely regarded as one of the all-time greats, capable of stealing scenes in any movie he appeared in, Hoffman succumbed to addiction at a young age, ensuring we'd never witness him steal the show again. However, his incredible performances in movies such as Boogie Nights, Capote and The Big Lebowski will keep his legacy stitched into our memories forever.
Read our full memorial piece on Philip Seymour Hoffman here.
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Pete Seeger
May 3rd, 1919 - January 27th, 2014 (aged 94)
During his long life, Pete Seeger was known not only for his contributions to folk music, but for his political activism. Becoming a flag bearer for political issues such as nuclear disarmament to the Occupy Wall Street movement, President Barack Obama paid tribute to Seeger following his passing, saying: "Over the years, Pete used his voice - and his hammer - to strike blows for worker's rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation. And he always invited us to sing along."
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Roger Lloyd-Pack
February 8th, 1944 - January 15th, 2014 (aged 69)
Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack was perhaps best known worldwide for his role as Barty Crouch, Sr. in the Harry Potter film series, though he was also a national treasure in the UK due to his roles in classic British sitcoms, including Only Fools & Horses and The Vicar of Dibley. David Jason, who played Del Boy in Only Fools & Horses, said this following Lloyd-Pack's passing: "Although he played the simple soul of Trigger in Only Fools And Horses, he was a very intelligent man and a very fine actor capable of many roles. I shall remember him with fondness and for all the good times we had together."
Read our full memorial piece on Roger Lloyd-Pack here:
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Mae Young
March 12th, 1923 - January 14th, 2014 (aged 90)
Mae Young was an early trailblazer in the professional wrestling industry, paving the way for female wrestlers the world over during her lucrative tenure in the National Wrestling Alliance. Young would continue her wrestling career in her later years in the then-WWF, pairing with The Fabulous Moolah in the company's 'Attitude Era' and forming a comedy duo that brought her charismatic ring presence to a whole new generation of fans.
WWE Chairman paid tribute to Mae Young following her passing, saying: "There will never be another Mae Young. Her longevity in sports entertainment may never be matched, and I will forever be grateful for all of her contributions to the industry. On behalf of WWE, I extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends."
Image: WWE
