Mickey Rooney Passes Away at 93 on April 6, 2014
There are very few of those Hollywood Legends anymore in cinema. There used to be a time when stars were something special, they were role models, you saw movies because they were in them. It truly was “Hollywood”. One of those was the legend Mickey Rooney. Many of you Disney fans know Rooney from such classics as Pete’s Dragon. (You can listen to us interview Helen Reddy about the film and working with Rooney in our archives here).
Mickey Rooney is truly one of those Silver Screen Legends. He spent almost his entire life in Hollywood, Movies, Television, and in the spotlight. For older generations he was most notably known for starring in many films teamed up with the iconic Judy Garland. And also with playing Andy Hardy in the The Hardy Boys films for a record breaking twenty films! His career got the big jump start when he obtained an Oscar for the film Strike Up The Band in 1940 and being the first ever teenager nominated for such an award. It didn’t end there as he also was awarded an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 film The Black Stallion.
Aside from awards he also has played a huge part in generations of films that are true classics passed on such as Pete’s Dragon, the Disney Fan Favorite, where he played Lampie, alongside the wonderful Helen Reddy, who we interviewed on DizRadio in our archives. It was full of great songs and Rooney belted out the great tune “I Saw A Dragon”. He also was part of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the 2011 film The Muppets, and even Night At the Museum with other icons in cinema such as Dick Van Dyke.
Rooney’s career is one that movie legends are made of and no documentary could capture truly, although might I suggest the 4 part series “When The Lion Roars” all about MGM Studios which Rooney was employed by for many years. (You can also get it as a bonus in the Wizard of Oz Blu-Ray Box Set.)
Rooney even was known as Santa Claus in many of the Classic Rankin/Bass Classics from Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Rudolph, The Year Without a Santa Claus and more!
So with this icon, my parent have grown up with him, I have grown up with him, and even my children have grown up with Mickey Rooney. He truly will be missed. He passed away at the age of 93 on April 6, 2014. His representatives said he has had failing health for some time and it is due to natural causes.
So in closing this part of the Silver Screen History, Legacy, and Film. We can all agree there will never be another Mickey Rooney in our presence again.
Thank you for all the memories. Hollywood will never be the same without you.
