Rooney Family History & Genealogy

Barbara A Rooney of Yonkers, Westchester County, NY was born on March 2, 1957, and died at age 39 years old on August 15, 1996.

Mickey Rooney Born September 23, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA Died April 6, 2014 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (natural causes) Birth Name Joseph Yule Jr. Nicknames The Mick The Mickster Height 5' 2" (1.57 m) Mickey Rooney was born Joe Yule Jr. on September 23, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. He first took the stage as a toddler in his parents vaudeville act at 17 months old. He made his first film appearance in 1926. The following year, he played the lead character in the first Mickey McGuire short film. It was in this popular film series that he took the stage name Mickey Rooney. Rooney reached new heights in 1937 with A Family Affair, the film that introduced the country to Andy Hardy, the popular all-American teenager. This beloved character appeared in nearly 20 films and helped make Rooney the top star at the box office in 1939, 1940 and 1941. Rooney also proved himself an excellent dramatic actor as a delinquent in Boys Town (1938) starring Spencer Tracy. In 1938, he was awarded a Juvenile Academy Award. Teaming up with Judy Garland, Rooney also appeared in a string of musicals, including Babes in Arms (1939) the first teenager to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in a leading role, Strike Up the Band (1940), Babes on Broadway (1941), and Girl Crazy (1943). He and Garland immediately became best of friends. "We weren't just a team, we were magic," Rooney once said. During that time he also appeared with Elizabeth Taylor in the now classic National Velvet (1944). Rooney joined the service that same year, where he helped to entertain the troops and worked on the American Armed Forces Network. He returned to Hollywood after 21 months in Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946), did a remake of a Robert Taylor film, The Crowd Roars (1932) called Killer McCoy (1947) and portrayed composer Lorenz Hart in Words and Music (1948). He also appeared in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Rooney played Hepburn's Japanese neighbor, Mr. Yunioshi. A sign of the times, Rooney played the part for comic relief which he later regretted feeling the role was offensive. He once again showed his incredible range in the dramatic role of a boxing trainer with Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason in Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962). In the late 1960s and 1970s Rooney showed audiences and critics alike why he was one of Hollywood's most enduring stars. He gave an impressive performance in Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 film The Black Stallion (1979), which brought him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He also turned to the stage in 1979 in Sugar Babies with Ann Miller, and was nominated for a Tony Award. During that time he also portrayed the Wizard in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with Eartha Kitt at New York's Madison Square Garden, which also had a successful run nationally. Rooney's personal life, including his frequent trips to the altar, has proved to be just as epic as his on-screen performances. His first wife was one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, actress Ava Gardner. Mickey permanently separated from his eighth wife Jan in June of 2012. Rooney requested through the Superior Court to permanently reside with his son Mark Rooney, who is a musician and Marks wife Charlene, an artist, in the Hollywood Hills. He legally separated from his eighth wife in June of 2012. Ironically, after eight failed marriages he never looked or felt better and finally found happiness and peace in the single life. Mickey, Mark and Charlene focused on health, happiness and creative endeavors and it showed. Mickey Rooney had once again landed on his feet reminding us that he was a survivor. Rooney died on April 6th 2014. He was taking his afternoon nap and never woke. One week before his death Mark and Charlene surprised him by reunited him with a long lost love, the racetrack. He was ecstatic to be back after decades and ran into his old friends Mel Brooks and Dick Van Patten. Spouse (8) Jan Rooney (28 July 1978 - 6 April 2014) ( his death) Carolyn Hockett (27 May 1969 - 24 January 1975) ( divorced) ( 2 children) Margaret Lane (10 September 1966 - 14 December 1967) ( divorced) Carolyn Mitchell (1 December 1958 - 31 January 1966) ( her death) ( 4 children) Elaine Devry (18 November 1952 - 18 May 1958) ( divorced) ( 2 children) Martha Vickers (3 June 1949 - 25 September 1952) ( divorced) ( 1 child) B.J. Baker (30 September 1944 - 3 June 1949) ( divorced) ( 2 children) Ava Gardner (10 January 1942 - 21 May 1943) ( divorced) Father of Tim Rooney and Mickey Rooney Jr., from his marriage to Betty Jane Rase (B.J. Baker). Father of Jonelle Rooney (born January 11, 1970) from his marriage to Carolyn Hockett. He also adopted Carolyn's son from a previous marriage, Jimmy Rooney (born 1966). Was nominated for Broadway's 1980 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Sugar Babies." With a film career that lasted from 1926 to 2015, he has the longest career in cinema history, surpassing Lillian Gish. Rooney's 339 film credits span ten decades: 1920s-2010s. Laemmle's 17 film credits include a break from 1939 to 2010 (except for a video short in 2001). Father of Kelly Ann Rooney (born September 13, 1959), Kerry Yule Rooney (born December 30, 1960), Michael Rooney (VI) (born April 2, 1962) and Kimmy Sue Rooney (born September 13, 1963), from his marriage to Carolyn Mitchell. At age 19 became the first teenager to be Oscar-nominated in a leading role for Babes in Arms (1939). His first of eight marriages was to Ava Gardner but his marriage to Jan Rooney was longer than those of all his other seven wives combined. Had 19 grandchildren, including Shannon Rooney and Dominique Rooney by his son Timothy Rooney, and several great-grandchildren among whom Kaitlyn Rooney and Hunter Rooney. He was most proud of his film The Black Stallion (1979). With the death of James Stewart on July 2, 1997, Rooney was the last surviving entertainer of the 46 caricatured in Hollywood Steps Out (1941). His hobbies included listening to music, football, golfing, dancing, horse racing, painting, getting together with old friends and watching classic movies. Graduated from Hollywood High School in 1938. His future The New Adventures of the Black Stallion (1990) co-star, Richard Ian Cox, was a childhood movie hero of his. Began his career as a contract player for MGM in 1934. Was an animal rights activist. He chose to permanently reside with stepson Mark Rooney and Mark's wife Charlene Rooney. Release of his autobiography, "Life is too Short". [1991] He has been quoted as saying he was proud of President Barack Obama and his policies. Mickey Rooney had passed away on April 6, 2014, just four months before Robin Williams committed suicide. They both starred in the movie: Night at the Museum (2006) and its sequel Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014). His third son, Teddy Rooney, died on July 2, 2016, at age 66, just two years after the death of his father. Interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. When he passed away in 2014, at the age of 93, he had at least three future projects that he was going to perform in. When he died his eight surviving children said in a statement that they were barred from seeing Rooney during his final years.

Died at 8 months old.

Lucy (Rooney) Coxon of Collingwood, City of Yarra County, VIC Australia was born in 1871 in Carlton, City of Melbourne County to Naomi Hewitt Rooney and William Rooney. She had siblings Daniel William Rooney, John George Rooney, Helen Rooney, and Joseph Rooney. She married Thomas Coxon in 1890, and had children John Henry Coxon, Thomas William Coxon, Arthur Coxon, John Coxon, Annie Coxon, Herbert Coxon, Percy Coxon, Ellen Coxon, and George Coxon. Lucy Coxon died at age 55 years old on February 10, 1927 in Carlton.

Susan Marie (Rooney) Taraschi was born on January 5, 1964 in West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania United States. Susan Taraschi got married to Christopher Michael Taraschi in 1990 in West Chester, Chester County, and has a child Kelly Ann Taraschi. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan Marie Taraschi.

Florence Iselin (Holford) Rooney of Queanbeyan, Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council County, NSW Australia was born on August 8, 1895 in Carlton, City of Melbourne County, VIC to Ernest Iselin Holford and Mary Elizabeth Dunstan Holford. She had siblings Beatrice Annie Holford and Ernest Theodore Holford. Florence Rooney married Andrew Albert Rooney in 1918, and died at age 78 years old on April 21, 1974 in Queanbeyan, Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council County, NSW.

Kimmy is the daughter of actor Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule Jr), 1920 - 2014, and model and actress Barbara Ann Thomason (her stage name was Carolyn Mitchell), who died in 1966. Kimmy's father Mickey was married 8 times and Barbara/Carolyn was his 5th wife. From all of the marriages, Kimmy had 8 siblings - 5 brothers and 3 sisters. They were Jimmy, Jonelle, Michael, Kelly Ann, Kerry, Tim, Mickey Jr and Teddy. During her parents' divorcé, her mother allowed her boyfriend. to move in with her and her 4 children. It was reported that they had a tumultuous relationship. It must have been because in 1966, her boyfriend shot and killed Carolyn and then shot himself. Kimmy's maternal grandparents were given custody. The full story at Barbara Thomason slain by jealous lover

Mickey Rooney of Studio City, Los Angeles County, California United States was born on September 23, 1920 in Brooklyn, Kings County, NY to Joseph Ninnian Yule and Nellie Winifred Yule. He married Ava Lavinia Gardner on January 10, 1942 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL and they later divorced on May 21, 1943 in Birmingham. He would also marry Betty Jane Baker on September 30, 1944 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA and they later divorced on June 3, 1949 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL. They had children Mickey Rooney Jr. and Timothy Hayes Rooney. He and Martha Vickers married on June 3, 1949 in Birmingham, Jefferson County and they later divorced on September 25, 1952 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. They had a child Ted Michael Rooney. He and Elaine Devry married on November 18, 1952 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County and they later divorced on May 18, 1958 in Los Angeles. They had children James Michael Rooney and Jonelle Elaine Rooney. He and Carolyn Mitchell married on December 1, 1958 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and they were married until Carolyn's death on January 31, 1966 in Los Angeles. They had children Kelly Ann Rooney, Kerry Yule Rooney, Michael Joseph Rooney, and Kimmy Sue Rooney. He and Margaret Mary Lane married on September 10, 1966 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County and they later divorced on January 31, 1966 in Los Angeles. He and Carolyn Marie Hockett married on May 27, 1969 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County and they later divorced on January 31, 1966 in Los Angeles. They had children James Michael Rooney and Jonelle Elaine Rooney. He and Janice Darlene Chamberlin married on July 18, 1978 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and they were married until Mickey's death on April 6, 2014 in Studio City.

Shea is dearly missed by his family and many friends. May he rest in eternal peace.

Leolla (Rudd) Rooney of Ohio United States was born on January 14, 1944 in Cutuno, KY to William Riley Rudd and Ruth Alwilda (Carter) Carter- Rudd. She had siblings Richard "Ricky" Lynn Rudd, Celdon Rudd, and Melvin Rudd. Leolla Rooney died at age 76 years old on August 17, 2020 in OH.

Kelly Ann Rooney was born to actor "Mickey" Joseph Yule (1920 - 2014), better known as Mickey Rooney, and Barbara Ann Thomason (1937 - 1966), also known as Carolyn Mitchell. Barbara was Mickey Rooney's fifth wife. Kelly had siblings Kerry Yule Rooney (born 1960), Michael Joseph Rooney (born 1962), and Kimmy Sue "Kimm" Rooney (born 1963). She also had half siblings Joseph "Mickey" Yule Rooney III (1945 - 2022), Timothy "Tim" Hayes Yule Rooney (1947 - 2006), Ted Michael "Teddy" Rooney (1950 - 2016), Jonelle Q. Rooney (born 1970), and James Rooney (born 1972). There were two more sisters, born in 1953 and 1955. Kelly Rooney married Matthew G. Harrison, born in 1959, on November 26, 1983, in Los Angeles, California. According to Kelly, her mother, actress Barbara Ann Thomason, was killed by a friend of her father's who was obsessed with Barbara. That was in 1966. According to Kelly, “My dad called me in 1992 and said, ‘Kel, I want you to hear something,’” Rooney recalled. “'… I have to apologize to you because I couldn’t save her. And I’m so sorry.’ I know he carried around a big bag of guilt about that.” In spite of the notoriety and many marriages, Kelly felt close to her father and was happy that she was his daughter. To see an article about their relationship and her thoughts on her father, see Mickey Rooney's Daughter Recalls Close Bond.

Sophia Elizabeth Rooney was born on February 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Sophia Elizabeth Rooney.

Isabella Victoria Rooney was born on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Isabella Victoria Rooney.

Brendan Keith Rooney was born on February 7, 1983 in Patchogue, Suffolk County, New York United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Brendan Keith Rooney.

Roy J Rooney was born on November 13, 1930, and died at age 63 years old on November 17, 1993. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Roy J Rooney.

Dorothy Catherine Rooney was born in 1907, and died at age 77 years old in 1984. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Dorothy Catherine Rooney.

Kathleen (Rooney) Richardson was born in 1901, and died at age 73 years old in 1974. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Kathleen (Rooney) Richardson.

John Dunstan Rooney was born in 1903 to Thomas Edmund Rooney and Catherine Mary (Dunstan) Rooney, and had siblings Frances Violet (Rooney) Sawyer, Charles Robert Rooney, Elizabeth Emily Rooney, Percival Thomas Rooney, Amy Jennifer (Rooney) Taylor, Louisa Daisy Rooney, Kathleen (Rooney) Richardson, and Dorothy Catherine Rooney. John Rooney died at age 51 years old in 1954. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember John Dunstan Rooney.

Amy Jennifer (Rooney) Taylor was born in 1901, and died at age 63 years old in 1964 at Ballarat VIC, Australia in Ballarat, City of Ballarat County, VIC Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Amy Jennifer (Rooney) Taylor .

Louisa Daisy Rooney was born in 1896, and died at age 84 years old in 1980. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Louisa Daisy Rooney.