Hollywood star Mickey Rooney dies

The veteran Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney has died at the age of 93.

Rooney, whose career spanned more than 80 years, died of natural causes at his North Hollywood home in Los Angeles.

Rooney, who was married eight times, had been unwell for some time according to US media reports.

The actor, who started his career as a child star in the 1930s, was known for his colourful private life as well as his varied film career.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s New York born Rooney, who was born Joe Yule Jr, rose to fame in the Andy Hardy film series.

He starred in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935), National Velvet (1944) alongside Elizabeth Taylor, Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn, and in MGM musicals with Judy Garland.

More recently, Rooney appeared in the 2006 comedy Night at The Museum, and 2011’s The Muppets.

Actress Margaret O’Brien said: “He was undoubtedly the most talented actor that ever lived. There was nothing he couldn’t do.”

He starred in more than 200 films and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1982 for lifetime achievement.