Tributes for Mickey Rooney Jnr
One of the original Mouseketeers – Mickey Rooney Jr – has died aged 77. The famed actor and musician passed away on Saturday July 17 at his home in Glendale, Arizona, according to a post on Facebook from friend and actor Paul Petersen. The two were both original Mouseketeers at Disney.
"Mickey Junior was tall and talented. He could sing, dance and act... and get in trouble," Petersen wrote.
Rooney Jr was one of nine children of legendary vaudeville actor Mickey Rooney., and played in bands with Willie Nelson as well as appearing alongside him in Honeysuckle Rose and Songwriter. He helped score the soundtrack to John Brahm's Hot Rods to Hell, which he also had a small role in.
In 1975, he had a role in the NBC movie Beyond the Bermuda Triangle.
Born Joseph Yule III in Birmingham, Alabama, he and brother Tim Rooney were hired as backup cast members on ABC's The Mickey Mouse Club in 1955.
Rooney Jr. played guitar, keyboard, bass, drums and harmonica. He had also appeared on the ABC music show Shindig! and played in a band with brothers Tim and Teddy.
Petersen said that for the last many years, Rooney Jr. had been in the care of his longtime companion Chrissie Brown and her family.
"I was born on the same day as Mickey's father and 'The Mic' gave me, unsolicited mind you, the most useful advice I ever got," Petersen wrote.
"It is one of my greatest sorrows that he didn't do the same for his son. Mickey Rooney Junior. Rest In Peace at last. We will see to your wishes."
💫In Memoriam
📺🎞#actor and #Hollywood Royalty Mickey Rooney Jr.
July 3, 1945 (age 77), #Birmingham , #Alabama , U.S. - July 16, 2022, #Arizona , U.S.🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IzjVvm0JPZ
— DonnieHollywoodland (@DonnieHollywood) July 17, 2022
Image: Twitter