Mickey Rooney lived a life of extreme highs and lows: from childhood vaudeville to becoming America’s top box-office star, then through eight marriages, financial ruin, and a post-death burial dispute. Here is the fact-checked story of his career, marriages, money, and the fight over his final resting place.
Birth name Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. Born September 23, 1920, Brooklyn, New York Died April 6, 2014 (aged 93) Films More than 300 Spouses 8 Box office rank No. 1 from 1939–1941
Ethnicity & Origins
- Born in Brooklyn, New York (New York Times)
- Not Irish
- American actor of Scottish and English descent
Career Highlights
- Over 300 films
- No. 1 box office star 1939-1941 (New York Times)
- Started as child in vaudeville
Personal Life
- Eight marriages (New York Times)
- Nine children
- Longest marriage 8 years
Final Years
- Died age 93 from natural causes (New York Times)
- Financial troubles at death (Hollywood Reporter)
- Funeral dispute resolved in court (Reuters)
The facts below provide a quick reference on Rooney’s identity, career, and final circumstances.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. (later Mickey Rooney) |
| Birth | September 23, 1920, Brooklyn, New York |
| Death | April 6, 2014, North Hollywood, California |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; complications of diabetes (New York Times) |
| Known For | Andy Hardy films, musicals, over 300 performances |
| Net Worth at Death | Approximately $18,000 (Hollywood Reporter) |
| Number of Spouses | 8 |
| Number of Children | 9 |
Was Mickey Rooney Irish or American?
Mickey Rooney was born Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. in Brooklyn, New York on September 23, 1920 (New York Times). He was an American actor, not Irish. His parents were Joe Yule and Nellie Carter, both American vaudeville performers.
What was his birth name?
His birth name was Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr. He later adopted the stage name Mickey Rooney.
Where was Mickey Rooney born?
He was born in Brooklyn, New York (New York Times).
How rich was Mickey Rooney when he died?
At his death, Rooney had an estate valued around $18,000, with significant debts (Reuters). He had financial troubles from mismanagement, divorce settlements, and poor investments. His death sparked a dispute over funeral costs and burial arrangements.
What was his financial situation in later years?
Rooney had earned about $12 million before age 40 but spent more than he made (New York Times). By his final years, he had filed for bankruptcy protection.
Did he leave an inheritance?
His will left his personal property to stepson Mark Aber and his wife, rather than to his children (People). This led to a legal challenge from his children on grounds of undue influence.
Were Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in love?
They were close friends and co-stars in the Andy Hardy series and “Babes in Arms.” Rooney stated they were never romantically involved, only good friends. He attended Judy Garland’s funeral in 1969.
Did they ever date off-screen?
Rooney described his relationship with Judy Garland as “not a romance, just a beautiful friendship” (Wikipedia).
Did Rooney attend Garland’s funeral?
Yes, Rooney attended Judy Garland’s funeral in 1969.
“We were just kids together. She was the greatest talent I ever saw.” — Mickey Rooney on Judy Garland
What did Mickey Rooney pass away from?
Mickey Rooney died on April 6, 2014, at age 93 (New York Times). Cause of death listed as natural causes related to complications of diabetes. He had been in declining health for several years.
What was the official cause of death?
Natural causes; complications of diabetes.
Were there any complications?
He had been in declining health for several years prior to his death.
Was Mickey Rooney a nice person in real life?
Opinions vary; many co-stars and crew described him as energetic and generous. Some accounts mention a difficult personality and demanding behavior. No single consensus, but most recall him as a professional on set.
How did colleagues describe him?
Colleagues often noted his high energy and generosity on set, though some accounts mention a demanding nature.
Did he have a reputation for kindness?
There is no single consensus, but most recall him as a professional on set.
Why did Mickey Rooney have so many wives?
Rooney married eight times in total (New York Times). His longest marriage was to his fifth wife, Barbara Ann Thomson (1958–1966); shortest to first wife Ava Gardner (1942–1943). Rooney often cited loneliness and a desire for companionship as reasons.
Who were the eight spouses?
His spouses included Ava Gardner (1942-1943), Betty Jane Phillips (1944-1949), Martha Vickers (1949-1951), Elaine Mahnken (1952-1958), Barbara Ann Thomson (1958-1966), Marge Lane (1966-1967), Carolyn Hockett (1969-1975), and Jan Chamberlin (1978-2014) (The Telegraph).
Did any marriages last?
His longest marriage was to Barbara Ann Thomson, lasting eight years from 1958 to 1966.
“I was always looking for someone to fill the void. I never found it.” — Mickey Rooney on his multiple marriages
Who paid for Mickey Rooney’s funeral?
A funeral dispute occurred between Rooney’s wife, Jan, and some of his children (Reuters). The Hollywood funeral was set after a legal settlement. At least part of the costs were covered by a funeral trust set up by Rooney himself.
Was there a dispute over funeral costs?
Yes, an intense dispute centered on where Rooney should be interred (ABA Journal). A Los Angeles judge ordered Forest Lawn Memorial Park to hold Rooney’s remains pending resolution (ABA Journal).
Who finally paid for it?
The settlement placed Rooney’s burial at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, with costs partially covered by a funeral trust he had set up (Reuters).
Timeline
- September 23, 1920: Born in Brooklyn, New York.
- 1921 (age 17 months): First stage appearance in parents’ vaudeville act.
- 1937-1946: Starred in Andy Hardy series; became No. 1 box office star (1939-1941).
- 1942-1943: First marriage to Ava Gardner; separated within months.
- 1960s: Continued film and TV work; financial problems begin.
- 1990s-2000s: Financial decline; filed for bankruptcy protection.
- April 6, 2014: Died at age 93 in North Hollywood.
- 2014-2015: Funeral dispute between wife and children; resolved with a Hollywood funeral.
marinacciolaw.com, wprost.pl, theguardian.com, nydailynews.com, latimes.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Mickey Rooney of Irish descent?
No, he was an American actor of Scottish and English descent, born in Brooklyn, New York.
How many movies did Mickey Rooney make?
He appeared in more than 300 films over his career.
What is Mickey Rooney’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Andy Hardy in the Andy Hardy film series.
Did Mickey Rooney have any children in show business?
Yes, several of his nine children and grandchildren have worked in entertainment, including Mickey Rooney Jr. and Tim Rooney.
Was Mickey Rooney married to Ava Gardner?
Yes, Ava Gardner was his first wife. They married in 1942 and separated within months.
How tall was Mickey Rooney?
He was 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall.
Did Mickey Rooney serve in the military?
Yes, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, entertaining troops and making training films.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Insightlab, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.