http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/06/mickey-rooney-dead/

I learned a lot these last few minutes, mostly from Wikipedia:

"Born in Brooklyn NY. He has had one of the longest careers of any actor, spanning 92 years actively making films in ten decades, from the 1920s to the 2010s. … he was one of the last surviving stars who worked in the silent film era. ….. He began performing at the age of 17 months as part of his parents' routine, wearing a specially tailored tuxedo….When he was fourteen months old, unknown to everyone, he crawled onstage wearing overalls and a little harmonica around his neck. He sneezed and his father, Joe Sr., grabbed him up, introducing him to the audience as Sonny Yule. He felt the spotlight on him and has described it as his mother's womb. From that moment on, the stage was his home…. The 5'2" Rooney was married 8 times. One of his wives -- Ava Gardner."

Mickey Rooney holding a pair of dice in promotion of "Killer McCoy" (1947).

Mickey Rooney (right), 12 years old, shooting dice in movie "Fast Companions" (1932), about fixing horse races

Mickey Rooney (shortest one there) in "Down the Stretch" (1936).

http://www.antiquegamblingchips.com/StillsA_TopMaleStars.htm

Robert