Mickey Rooney: A Look Back at His Early Life in Pictures

Mickey Rooney at five months old in 1921.

Rooney plays Ted Hackett III in the film From Broadway to Hollywood, directed by Willard Mack, in 1933.

Rooney played Puck in the 1935 film A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Rooney and Judy Garland pose for a promotional portrait for the film Love Finds Andy Hardy in 1938.

Mickey Rooney in a scene from the film Lord Jeff in 1938.

Rooney, as Huckleberry Finn, in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, directed by Richard Thorpe, in 1939.

Rooney entered military service in 1944 and served more than 21 months during World War II. Above, he is seen while serving in, London, England on August 11, 1945.

Rooney on the set of the 1955 film Bridges of Toko-Ri.

Mickey Rooney pets leading mule in a publicity portrait for the film Francis In The Haunted House in 1956.

Rooney sizes up a barbecued chicken during festivities at the opening of his 'Mickey Rooney's Star-B-Q' restaurant in Hollywood on April 13 1980 in Los Angeles, California.

Mickey Rooney received an Honorary Oscar in 1983 "in recognition of his 50 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances."