Mickey Rooney.
An American icon and box office "King" reigning from 1939 to
1941. Truly American and proud to be so. Aside from his status as King
of the World, Mickey was humbled by the great American spirit and by those
who served our nation for the sake of freedom.
Mickey may or may not have been the perfect teenager, but to millions
of Americans, he was the perennial Andy Hardy.
He also had something very unique: a very special love, since the earliest
days of his childhood, to make others happy. Unfortunately, while the
Mick lived to make the world happy, this genuinely rare and talented
youngster grew into adulthood with a lonliness and unhappiness that
could not be overlooked. The status of what Cary Grant once termed as
the "most talented actor in the Hollywood industry," began
to take it's toll after Mickey, so proud to serve his country, came
back to find Hollywood had not missed him. Fortunately for Mickey, he
perservered and fought back and to this day is still regarded as one
of the greatest American actors the world has ever known.
Mickey, Bless his heart, has loved acting from the age of 18 mos. until
today, and at 88 years old. "Hollywood's Little Giant"
is still going strong! Both he and his lovely wife, Jan, are still performing
across the pond and here at home, in their prized show entitled, "Let's
Put On A Show!" Mickey also has appeared in recent movies, his most
recent being in "A Night at the Museum" with Ben Stiller.
With a patriotic sense to beat the band that began long before the horrors
of Pearl Harbor and World War II, here is Mickey's story, the reason
why Mickey Rooney is so special in the eyes of Americans. It was tough
growing up in a fairy-tale kingdom, where reality could be very harsh,
but the Mick succeeded, and loved every minute of it! Generations now
and to come should remember Mickey Rooney for what his heart gave out
to our country and to the world. Since before the attack on Pearl Harbor
in 1941, Mickey Rooney has spread the word of patriotism through his
help with bond drives, patriotic promotionals, USO shows, camp tours,
and his famous jeep shows. With the USO, the Mick entertained our soldiers
from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. During WWII, Mickey enlisted in the US
Army and achieved the rank of Sargeant after 21 months in country and
on the front lines. Here we will follow his story.
God Bless you, Mickey! Thank you for your service to our nation!
Mickey Rooney with the Armed
Forces Network, 1940
(AFRS, circa 1940's.
L-R TSgt. Bill Stewart, Sig. C. Officer (Unknown), Mickey
Rooney, Actor, Tom Poston, AFRS member and TV Actor from the
Steve Allen Show Source: [http://www.afrts.osd.mil/heritage/page.asp?pg=archive32
AFRTS] {{PD-USGov-Military)
(above
and left) World War II veteran Mickey Rooney
(2nd L) poses for a picture with Medal of Honor recipients George T. Sakato
(L), USA, Captain Thomas J. Hudner (2nd R), USN and Master Sergeant John
F. Baker, Jr, USA while his wife Jan looks on during the National Memorial
Day Celebration in Washington May 26, 2008. Rooney, now 87, received the
Bronze Star for bravery on the front lines while entertaining the troops
as part of a 3-man jeep team.
Mickey and lovely wife, Jan, in 2008. (right)
The happily married couple are inseparable and have lived a life together
of fulfillment and devoted to God. Mickey continues to deliver Christian
messages to his audiences as he continues to celebrate our country. Over
the last few years Mickey and Jan have been invited to military events
and Mickey continues to receive honors for his service in the United States
Armed Forces, WWII, and for his decades of patriotism.
At left, Mickey and wife, Jan, star in the 2008 film, "The
Lost Stallions."
Mickey, together with his lovely wife, is still appearing on stage
and in films.
Going strong for two centuries!
“I
was privileged to be able to serve...“The men that I served
with were gallant, asking nothing for themselves but giving all
for their country.”-Mickey Rooney
This photo was taken 12 October 1952
by a USMC photographer at a Marine mess hall in Korea. Mickey Rooney
and members of his USO show took over the chow line to serve the
troops, much to the delight of everyone present.
Right to left are : Dick Winslow,
Mickey Rooney, Deenah Prince, Alice Tyrrell, and Red Barry.
The Story of A Great American Patriot:
Mickey Rooney An
Honorary Tribute to Veteran and Patriot, the legendary
actor and accomplished musician, Mickey Rooney.
Born September 23, 1920, in Brooklyn, NY, to Ninian Joseph Yule and
Nell Carter, two vaudevillians, Joe Yule, Jr., an only child, never
dreamed for a moment that he would become a legend in his own time.
The dream that began as his mother's own, soon became his.
As a child, Mickey got his first break
in the "Mickey McGuire" serials of the 1920's, but after
that, by the 1930's Mickey became known around the studios more as
a boy genius. The inspiration behind Walt Disney's character, Mickey
Mouse, Mickey Rooney is best remembered as the mega box office star
from 1939 to 1941. As his star was climbing higher, and burning brighter,
and the dream of a lifetime had continued to come true, Mickey found
himself interested in the scope of world affairs. At 18 years old,
his interest in patriotism began to peak.
When fellow co-star, former Dead End Kid, and fellow WWII
veteran, Bobby Jordan, who died destitute in 1965, it was Mickey Rooney
who paid for Bobby's funeral expenses and burial plot. At that time the
Mick was also against hard times yet he felt to the core that he could
not let down a fellow veteran and friend.
(above
and left) World War II veteran Mickey Rooney
(2nd L) poses for a picture with Medal of Honor recipients George T. Sakato
(L), USA, Captain Thomas J. Hudner (2nd R), USN and Master Sergeant John
F. Baker, Jr, USA while his wife Jan looks on during the National Memorial
Day Celebration in Washington May 26, 2008. Rooney, now 87, received the
Bronze Star for bravery on the front lines while entertaining the troops
as part of a 3-man jeep team.
“I
was privileged to be able to serve...“The men that I served
with were gallant, asking nothing for themselves but giving all
for their country.”
-
Mickey Rooney
Born September 23, 1920, in Brooklyn, NY, to Ninian Joseph Yule and
Nell Carter, two vaudevillians, Joe Yule, Jr., an only child, never
dreamed for a moment that he would become a legend in his own time.
The dream that began as his mother's own, soon became his.
As a child, Mickey got his first break
in the "Mickey McGuire" serials of the 1920's, but after
that, by the 1930's Mickey became known around the studios more as
a boy genius. The inspiration behind Walt Disney's character, Mickey
Mouse, Mickey Rooney is best remembered as the mega box office star
from 1939 to 1941. As his star was climbing higher, and burning brighter,
and the dream of a lifetime had continued to come true, Mickey found
himself interested in the scope of world affairs. At 18 years old,
his interest in patriotism began to peak.
