I first heard the news from my mama. She called me the other day and said, “Molly, you’ll never believe this… but Mickey Rooney’s stepson has been locking Mickey in his house and depriving him of food.”
Growing up watching Mickey’s movies, I’ve only ever seen him in resilient roles. So it’s almost impossible for me to imagine that same man falling victim to elder abuse. Mickey might only be 5’2’’, but what he lacks in height, he’s always made up for in personality. He’s known as a hot-headed, feisty red-head, full of mischief and fun.
When I was twelve, I got the thrill of my life when Mickey came to Lynnwood for a benefit at the Aegis Retirement Community. He sang, danced and did a comedy routine with his wife Jan. After the show, he autographed my copy of Love Finds Andy Hardy and I was in heaven. But only my mama could share in my excitement, because none of my friends had a clue who he is. To this day, when I ecstatically tell people I’VE met Mickey Rooney, the only response I get is: Who’s he?
Mickey began performing at 17 months old as part of his parents' vaudeville routine, and rose to fame as a child star in the 1930s and 1940s, especially for his lead in the Andy Hardy film series. He has appeared alongside many other famous Hollywood actors, such as Judy Garland (a year before making The Wizard of Oz, Garland co-starred in Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938), Elizabeth Taylor (in National Velvet, 1944), and was even in Breakfast at Tiffany’s as Audrey Hepburn’s annoyed upstairs neighbor, Mr. Yunioshi. But for today’s audiences, he’s probably more recognizable for his small role in Night at the Museum, starring Ben Stiller.
I’m worried that people will remember Mickey more for being a victim of elder abuse, than for his films and deeds that brought happiness to thousands. With a career spanning nearly ninety years, Mickey has dedicated himself not only to acting, but to the welfare of others. He may not be very tall, but Mickey has had a larger than life impact on the world.
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