Friday, February 1, 2013

HEALTHWATCH: MICKEY ROONEY

Mickey Rooney has been a part of Hollywood history and  a legend since the 1920s. He not only was in a silent movie as a child star, but he was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood in the late 1930s. From his Andy Hardy film series to his Hollywood musicals at MGM, Rooney was one of the greatest actors of all-time. His acting ability was very underrated, but check him out in the film biography Words And Music (1948). The film was basically fluff to support musical numbers, but Rooney played doomed songwriter Lorenz Hart with great seriousness and drama. He was one of the best things in the movie. However, now in his 90s more and more reports are coming out that he is in failing health, and his best days are behind him.

In February of 2011, Rooney sued his step son accusing him of elder abuse. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, actor said Chris Aber had spent his money ‘as if it were his own’. At the same time Rooney was made to believe he was almost bankrupt and ‘kept in poverty’ for ten years, he claimed. Mr Aber, his wife Christina and others are accused of crimes including breach of fiduciary trust, elder abuse and fraud. Rooney sought legal protection from his alleged abuser, the son of his eighth and current wife, Jan Chamberlin. Even though his wife is denying that any abuse took place, Mickey testified before the Senate on the fears and problems of elder abuse. in September of 2011. The court ended up appointing an outside conservator to handle the financial and health needs that Mickey needs addressed.

Surprisingly for a man of his age, Mickey continues to work. He appeared in a cameo in family film The Muppets in 2011, and since then he has made appearances in four more movies. Anyone over 90 unfortunately would start becoming frail. However, people who know Mickey Rooney say his health has failed rapidly in the past year. On November 12, 2012 Rooney appeared frail and confused at “An Evening with Mickey Rooney” performance at Lyons Eng­lish Grille in Palm Springs. It was a dinner event during which he was supposed to mingle with fans and speak about his storied Hollywood career.Instead of the meet-and-greet they’d paid for, fans instead saw a disoriented and frail shell of a man who didn’t even remember why he was at the event. Fans who paid nearly $65 a plate to hear the Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor speak choked up with tears as Mickey began “rambling on and on about nothing,” added the source.


From January 21 to January 26, 2013 Mickey Rooney was part of the Turner Classic Movies boat cruise. It was a five day event that not only took in the sights and sun, but also brought people together to share their love of classic movies with other fans as well as guest stars. This cruise passenger had this to say about Mickey Rooney:

"Mr. Rooney was on the trip but he was quite frail. I did see him the first day during the introductions and it appeared that he was traveling with a male attendant, probably a nurse. I never went to see him because honestly I could not bring myself to watch him. During the introductions he started rambling about politics and I heard that during his talk about Strike Up the Band (1940) he started off talking about unrelated stuff. Several of his films were shown but he had to cancel his last appearance due to feeling under the weather."

Mickey Rooney will be turning 93 this year, and no one that old should be working. However, the fans and the applause is probably the only thing keeping this great entertainer going. In the past years he has had a lot of stress with his family and finances, and Rooney deserves to enjoy his final years in peace and happiness. It is hard to see Rooney like this when I love to remember him as the ball of energy dancing around Judy Garland. Rooney is is a major part of the dying golden years of Hollywood, and he symbolizes a much more simpler time in our society...

27 comments:

  1. Great article, David. Thanks for posting. I was just thinking about Mr. Rooney this week, as I watched the 1933 film "The Life of Jimmy Dolan," which featurs the thoroughly-delightful little boy Mickey.

    It's amazing how much of the little boy is still evident in the face of the 90+ year old man.

    It's disheartening to know that Mickey's health is so tenuous and also that he has been treated shabbily by those who ought to have loved him.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hestitated to write an article like this. I don't want to end up becoming the National Enquirer, but I know a lot of people are interested how these few remaining legends are doing - whether it is good or bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for keeping tabs on Mickey. I am a fan of his and I believe he is a role model and inspiration to all. He has had his ups and downs, but the man is NOT LAZY!! At almost 93 he still tries to take care of himself financially- simply amazing.

      Delete
  3. Poor Micky he is one of those entertainers that keeps on going as long as the spotlight is still shining on him
    like your blog can you do a segment on Zsa Zsa?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I respectfully disagree with you. Mickey has served his his country, proved to be an acting living legend, and continues to inspire and promote various causes such as elderly abuse. At 44, I hope I can be a fraction of "that motivated" and willing to work for his income.

      Delete
    2. He was in the Army. He visited Military members in the Hospital. Great man

      Delete
    3. He served in the Army to entertain troop, including the hospitalized ones

      Delete
  4. David,
    Thanks for giving us updates on Mickey. So great to see that he was in good enough health to go on that cruise. I can only imagine the stories that were told.
    What an interesting read on one of our last classic stars.
    Page

    ReplyDelete
  5. David, A question I had was once you never seen Mickey without Jan. She supported him physically and mentally. Now she appears to be no where in site. even on this long Cruise journey. Are they still together or has she washed her hands of the whole situation. thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What makes you think that she supported him physically and mentally. I think you have it backwards. It looks like Mr. Rooney has finally wised up and washed his hands of her.

      Delete
  6. You know what - I was thinking the same thing. I know that Jan sided with her son that he did not scam Mickey Rooney, so I am not sure if they are estranged or not. I'll see what I can find out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, elderly abuse is a very real issue... Finacially isolating a senior by various methods like withholding money or feeling entitled to an elderly parents finances is part of the description and abuse.

      Delete
  7. Jan has kept an active account on Facebook and has never stated anything about being away from her husband.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's because they don't live together and have been legally separated since June of 2012.

      Delete
    2. That should tell you something about Jan Rooney.

      Delete
    3. I looked at her Facebook page. Anyone can post pictures of rainbows and flowers, not to mention very old pictures of Mickey Rooney.

      Delete
  8. Well thank you David I have grown up mickey so glad to see him still going I hope I am around when I am 90 looking that good we are love you mickey glad to see you

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful article! I am so happy that Mr.Rooney is hanging in there and still making appearances. Actors like him are rare today. I loved him in It's Mad,Mad,Mad,Mad World. I wish him all the best.

    Janet Bernasconi

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello,I am Mickey Rooney,Jr.the son of Actor Mickey Rooney. I just want to say thank you to all his fans for the all the kind words that you say to him. It means alot to him and to all our families. Thank you and God Bless,Mickey Rooney,Jr.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mickey Rooney Jr.- you could really sing!! Found a clip on YouTube! Thanks for sharing your dad with us fans!!

      Delete
    2. If you are, why does the name say Chrissie Brown?

      Delete
  11. For some reason, I got to thinking about Mr Rooney last night while trying to fall asleep. I was wondering if he was still alive and was surprised to find that he is and that he is in his 90's!

    I do take exception to your comment that no one in their 90's should be working. If a person is up for it, then they should do what they want. I know a 96 year old woman who can run circles around a lot of 60 year olds. Her body is ram rod straight; she walks about a mile to the grocery store. Her mind is sharp as well as her eyesight and hearing. She could probably work a part time job if she wanted to.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I meant that no one should "have" to work at the age of 93, like Mickey Rooney is.

    ReplyDelete
  13. God bless him, and I hope the rest of his days are spent doing what makes him happy...you only live once and he has made a lot of people happy throughout his life. It's not easy caring for a elderly parent but enjoy that time because once their gone you will miss them.....

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mickey Rooney deserves a Kennedy Center Honor.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am sorry to hear about the passing of Mickey Rooney, i am a fan and my mom got me watching his movies when i was 12 , i am now 58 and still watch them all. I am just a regular every day person who loves his movies. For Jan and her son to treat Mickey the way they did Mickey's own kids should band them from every thing that has to do with the best actor from his time and the funniest man and might i add a great singer and dancer.. to me heis the best and i love him. Rest in pace Mr Rooney , i will miss you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm very saddened, to realize of Mr. Rooney's passing, I'm 63 years old and remember as a boy, watching him in movies. I can remember him as Whitey Marsh, in Boys Town. His acting abilities were superb , I still cry in the scene, when pee wee, gets run over, and tough guy whitey, cries like a baby. Only Mr. Rooney had the skills to make it all so convincing . He made me realize at a young age, that there's Human kindness in all of us, no matter what's on the surface. Or the hard shell we sometimes all display, in attempt to protect our selves. Rest In peace Mr. Rooney..........your talents will be greatly missed.

    ReplyDelete