When Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney performed at the Sunderland Empire
Mickey Rooney (1920-2014) was an American Hollywood actor who’s career spanned nine decades and was one of the defining figures of the “Silent Film” era. Known for his tiny height and a scandalous private life which seen him married eight times, Rooney was nonetheless an icon of 30s and 40s film, as well as an absurd racist caricature of a Japanese person in the 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Rooney’s name is visible on the Hollywood walk of fame.
By the time he was in his 80s however, Rooney was well past his heyday and his career had obviously declined. At that same time, the Sunderland Empire Theatre had made the decision to relaunch its regular Christmas Pantomimes, and decided to invest in an extra special show as a celebration comeback. In the year 2007, they thus organised a production of Cinderella, but with the special caveat of inviting Mickey Rooney and what was his 8th wife, Jan Chamberlin, to participate as Baron Hardup and the Fairy Godmother.
Other celebrities who featured in this performance included presenter Les Dennis and Michelle Heaton of Liberty X, making one of the best assembles the Empire has provided for a Pantomime in recent times.
Rooney at this time was 87 years old, and wasn’t very energetic on stage, having to sit down on a chair for most of his scenes. Yet it was otherwise a spectacle to see such an icon on the stage at the Sunderland Empire and he at least come across as charming. It was a better treat and moment than the usual washed up soap stars that often feature as the so-called “celebrity” guests.
Predictably, Rooney and Chamberlin divorced in 2012, which would prove to be his final marriage. Two years later, Rooney died at his home in California at the age of 93.
