6-16-09 Little Giants
Last week I interviewed Mickey Rooney for my Heart of Hollywood TV and radio shows.
Mickey can’t be over 5’3” but to me he is a giant. He was the first guy who made miracles come true in the movies I saw as a kid when he played Andy Hardy in all those MGM classics. He was energetic, handsome, smart, determined, respectful and wouldn’t take no for an answer on any of his dreams. He acted, sang, played music and danced his way into the heart of America. He was our biggest box-office star for years.
Mickey and I learned that we were both born in Brooklyn and attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles; the bond was created between me and immortality. Mickey was connected to every star in Hollywood from Gable, Garland, Garbo Keaton, Gardner, Taylor, Holden, Quinn, Gleason, and more iconic names then I could ever put down here but in my interview with him, he connected me to the heart and soul of Hollywood’s legendary past in every way.
At the height of his stardom, Mickey enlisted in the Army during World War II and entertained our troops with a three man Jeep troupe that went as far as the front lines to perform and say hi to our fighting men. He was injured and honored with a Service Medal by no less than General Patton but won’t discuss the details. Mickey is not about himself, he’s about those he can and does entertain.
When his days of stardom at MGM were over, he continued and continues his career to this day in a manner and character that only Giants can do; with purpose, determination, goodness of message and nothing but the thought of entertainment in his heart. Mickey is there for the little guy and the elderly, that’s why he did the interview with me and for the benefit of the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s Channel 22.
Try and compliment him and his humbleness is apparent. Talk about the past and his eyes light up; he not only talks with respect about his history but will recite literature and sing limericks from his past as an infant performer in Vaudeville.
Mickey talked about the beauty of Hollywood and the fact that our industry takes care of its own and also the responsibility of Hollywood studios and producers to create product that will not only entertain our youth but give them examples to follow as well, as he did with his films as a youth. He’s in or close to his 90’s and he still cares about our industry’s duty to create proper product for the youth of not only America but the world. Mickey’s message: We are all children of the same God; brothers and sisters.
This little essay is about Mickey Rooney but my body tingles as I write it. I have felt much honored in my life with family, friends and people I have been blessed to work with but never greater then that two hour or so interview I had with Mickey Rooney, a Hollywood Legend. There is a Heart in Hollywood and at the moment, it is carried in the body and soul of a beautiful little of stature but Giant of a man; Mickey Rooney.
Take a bow son, you deserve it. God Bless you always,
