OBIT: Legendary Actor Mickey Rooney

Legendary actor Mickey Rooney, one of the most famed child stars in history whose performing career spanned 10 decades, died today of reported natural causes.

Rooney -- a major star in the 1930s and 40s who first appeared on stage as a 17-month-old toddler in his parents' vaudeville act -- was 93.

He died at his Los Angeles residence, Los Angeles County coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz told City News Service.

The diminutive 5-foot-2 Rooney, born Joseph Yule Jr. in Brooklyn in September 1920, had roles in such films as "A Family Affair," "Boys Town," "Babes In Arms" and "National Velvet."

He most recently appeared in "Night at the Museum" in 2006 and "The Muppets" in 2011.

The versatile performer starred alongside such Hollywood luminaries as Spencer Tracy, Judy Garland, Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn -- with whom he appeared in the 1961 film classic "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Rooney was nominated for four Academy Awards and received two special Oscars, one in 1939 and another in 1983.

He also was nominated for a Tony Award in 1980 for his role in the musical "Sugar Babies.

The star of screen, stage and television was married eight times and fathered nine children.

His first wife was actress Ava Gardner, a fellow MGM star. He was legally separated from his most recent wife, Jan Chamberlain, in June 2012, according to his official website.

Rooney filed for bankruptcy in 1962 and in recent years engaged in a contentious legal battle with his stepson Christopher Aber, against whom he filed an elder abuse and fraud lawsuit in 2011 that resulted in a restraining order being issued against Aber.

Rooney also testified about elder abuse before the U.S. Senate.

He is survived by Chamberlain; daughters Kelly Ann, Kerry, Kimmy Sue and Jonelle; and sons Mickey Jr., Theodore, Michael, and Jimmy, who he adopted from his marriage with Carolyn Hockett. Another of Rooney's sons, Tim, died in 2006.

--City News Service