Mickey Rooney dies aged 93: Pint-sized Hollywood legend passes away after long-illness

Actor Mickey Rooney, the diminutive screen dynamo of the 1930s and 1940s best known for his boy-next-door role in the Andy Hardy movies, died on Sunday at 93, the trade publication Variety confirmed.

Rooney, who was one of the biggest box office stars of the movies' studio era, had been ill for some time but a spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Rooney, who spent almost his entire life in show business, teamed up with Judy Garland in the 1939 movie musical "Babes in Arms." He also starred with Elizabeth Taylor in 1944's "National Velvet," which launched Taylor's career.

Rooney was best known for his role as Andy Hardy, the popular all-American teenager, which he portrayed in about 20 movies.

Rooney was married eight times, the first time to screen beauty Ava Gardner. Asked once if he would marry all his eight wives again, he said, 'Absolutely. I loved every one of them.'

Rooney is also known for his long collaboration with Judy Garland, appearing in four films with the star, including the 1939 film Babes In Arms, for which he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, the first teenager ever to achieve the honor.

'We weren't just a team, we were magic,' Rooney once said about his on-screen partnership with Garland.

Rooney won a string of awards throughout his distinguished career, including an honorary Academy Award, two Golden Globes and an Emmy.

He is survived by his eighth wife Jan, whom he married in 1978, and nine children.

Los Angeles Police Commander Andrew Smith said that Rooney was with his family when he died Sunday at his North Hollywood home.RIP