by Geoff Cobb
Few people today might recognize him by his real name, Joe Yule Jr., but the boy born in 1920 at 696 Leonard Street would become an Academy Award winner and Hollywood legend using the stage name Mickey Rooney. Rooney’s career in Hollywood spanned an astonishing nine decades.
Rooney’s career, like that of Greenpoint’s other Hollywood legend
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Several A list celebs like Mae West and Willie Sutton are wrongly reported as either being born in Greenpoint or bred.
Correct me if I am wrong but Mickey R is the only one that can claim that feat.
Hi Paul,
I think you can make a case that Mae West was born and grew up here. Definitely, not Sutton
Very interesting blog..loved reading about Mickey…so talented.
The article about Mickey Rooney, and his roots, growing up in Greenpoint New York are interesting. His father Joe Yule, Sr. lead me to this article. Was his father Joe Yule, Sr. a track runner besides being an actor. I have a photo that shows him sitting with my great uncle who was also a runner with the same running club in Brooklyn. If true, I would appreciate a response.