Mickey Rooney Was born on Joseph Yule, Jr.; September 23rd 1920 – April 6, 2014, was an American actor of film, television, Broadway, radio, and vaudeville. Beginning as a child actor, Mickey Rooney career extended over 90 years, making him one of the most enduring performers in show business history. Mickey Rooney appeared in more than 300 films and was one of the last surviving stars of the silent film era, having one of the longest careers in the medium’s history.