How Did Mickey Rooney Jr. Die? Hollywood Icon’s Son’s Cause of Death Explained

Mickey Rooney Jr., an original Mouseketeer, actor, and musician passed away at the age of 77 years. He was the eldest son of Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney, popular for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” and his first wife Betty Jane Baker. Find out how did Mickey Rooney Jr. die, what happened to him, and the cause of death here.

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Rooney Jr.’s death was announced by his long-time friend Paul Petersen and confirmed by his longtime partner Chrissie Brown to The Hollywood Reporter. “He was a wonderful man,” Brown told the media outlet. “The last 18 years with me and my family, he’s been an angel.”

“I first met Mickey, the oldest of nine siblings sired by his famous father when he and Timmy were hired by Disney to be Mouseketeers in 1955,” wrote Petersen paying tribute to Rooney Jr. “Mickey Junior was tall and talented. He could sing, dance, and act…and get in trouble.”

“We three were fired for Conduct Unbecoming a Mouse! Mickey Junior was the personification of ‘damaged goods.’ He gave all he could,” his tribute reveals.


How did Mickey Rooney Jr. Die?


Mickey Rooney Jr, the son of Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney, died on Saturday at his home in Glendale, Arizona. He was 77 years old at the time of his death. The late actor Mouseketeer was struggling with old age-related problems before the tragic incident.

Rooney Jr.’s death was announced publically by Paul Petersen, the former actor and founder of the advocacy group “A Minor Consideration.” He was a longtime friend and colleague of Rooney Jr. and has seen him closely throughout the journey of his life.

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Rooney Jr’s longtime companion Chrissie Brown confirmed the reports of death to The Hollywood Reporter. However, she didn’t reveal the exact cause of death either. It’s speculated that Mickey died a natural death and passed away peacefully in his sleep.


What was Mickey Rooney Jr’s Cause of Death?


The specific cause of Mickey Rooney Jr.’s death isn’t revealed immediately. Neither Chrissie Brown nor Paul Petersen shared a statement on what led to Rooney Jr’s departure from this world. Fans have been wondering if there was any foul play involved.

However, it seems Mickey Rooney Jr. has died a natural death as he was 77 years old. He had also been struggling with certain unannounced health problems due to his age.

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Rooney Jr. also had a history of struggling with substance-abuse issues. However, he later became a born-again Christian and founded an evangelical ministry. Hence, that couldn’t have played a role in his demise.


Mickey Rooney Jr. Early Life and Career

Mickey Rooney Jr. was born on July 3, 1945, as Joseph Yule III in Birmingham, Ala, to very famous parents. He was the first child of the screen legend Mickey Rooney and his second wife Betty Jane Baker, a famous singer and a past Miss Birmingham.

Being related to the sensational family and having an iconic name, Mickey Rooney Jr. naturally landed opportunities in the film industry. He landed a job on The Mickey Mouse Club with his brother Tim Rooney in 1955. Paul Petersen met Rooney Jr. during this stint.

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However, both the Rooney brothers and Petersen were fired just after the first season due to certain problems. Rooney Jr. then kicked off his career in music. He played guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, and harmonica. He performed in bands with Willie Nelson in the 80s.

He also appeared in the film “Honeysuckle Rose and Songwriter,” with Nelson. After that, he went on to make a name in his music career and credited her grandmother, Nanny Rase, as her inspiration. Rooney Jr. recorded several songs.

Some of his biggest hits include “The Wandering Wind,” “It Certainly Ain’t a Nice Thing,” and “The Choice is Your.” He also appeared on the ABC music show Shindig, and recorded a soundtrack for 1967’s Hot Rods to Hell. He also had a role in the movie.

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Rooney Jr. also played a role in the NBC movie “Beyond the Bermuda Triangle.” Later, he struggled with substance-abuse issues and then became a born-again Christian. He founded an evangelical ministry in Hemet, California.


Mickey Rooney Jr. is Survived by Chrissie Brown

Mickey Rooney Jr. is survived by his longtime companion Chrissie Brown. The two had been together since 2007 after Rooney’s second wife Laura Hollander passed away. Not much is known about Brown as she chooses to keep a low profile.

Rooney was previously married to Merci Montello, ex-Playboy Playmate of the Month, and then met Laura Hollander in 1986. Rooney Jr. and Hollander married in 1986 and the marriage lasted until her death in 2006.

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Complete details about survivors are unknown at the time of writing.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the departed soul. May God grant strength to his loved ones to make peace with his demise.