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Cinema legend

April 7, 2014

Actor Mickey Rooney, whose long Hollywood career began as a child star in the 1930s, has died at the age of 93. Rooney was one of the biggest box office stars of his era and was credited in more than 200 films.

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Mickey Rooney
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Los Angeles Police Commander Andrew Smith confirmed the death saying Rooney was with his family when he died at his North Hollywood home.

As a pint-sized child star of the 1930s and 1940s, Rooney rose to fame playing the popular all-American teenage character Andy Hardy – a role he portrayed in about 20 movies.

Rooney, one of the biggest box office stars of Hollywood's studio era, starred with Judy Garland in the 1939 movie musical "Babes in Arms."

He also starred with Elizabeth Taylor in 1944's Oscar-winning film "National Velvet," and with Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

"I've been coming back like a rubber ball for years," he said about his career in 1979. That same year he returned with a character role in "The Black Stallion," drawing an Oscar nomination as supporting actor.

He also starred with Ann Miller in the 1979 Broadway musical smash-hit called "Sugar Babies," for which he earned a Tony nomination.

Rooney, born Joe Yule Jr. on September 23, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York, started his career in his parent's vaudeville act while still a toddler. He was married eight times throughout his life, the first time to actress Ava Gardner.

He is credited in more than 200 films, and in 1983 he was awarded an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement for his "60 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances."

hc/msh (Reuters, AFP)