Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule, Jr. in 1920) is an American film actor and entertainer, appearing on film, television and Broadway, who has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award.
Rooney makes a cameo appearance in the movie The Muppets, during the number "Life's a Happy Song," choreographed by his son, Michael Rooney. He also featured in the "Mahna Mahna" end credits sequence, which was also included in the Never-Ending Mahna Mahna Phenomahna.
Rooney first gained fame as a child actor, then as the juvenile lead in MGM's Andy Hardy movie series. During his time as an MGM contract player, he also appeared in classic adaptations such as the A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935, as Puck) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939, as Huck), as well as a variety of "let's put on a show" musicals (such as 1941's Babes on Broadway, with Judy Garland and Will Lee). Later credits include Breakfast at Tiffany's, Babe: Pig in the City and Night at the Museum (with Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cobbs and Ben Stiller). Television credits include guest spots on ER, Conan. Murder, She Wrote, Full House, The Golden Girls, The Love Boat and The Twilight Zone.
He lent his voice to multiple Rankin/Bass specials (as Santa Claus), Disney's The Fox and the Hound and The Simpsons.
References
- The Muppet Show Episode 108: Paul Williams: During the talk spot, citing famous short people, Kermit mentions Mickey Rooney.