Mickey Rooney Jr., original Mouseketeer and son of Mickey Rooney, dead at 77

Mickey Rooney Jr., the first child of actor Mickey Rooney and one of the original Mouseketeers, has died at age 77.

Rooney Jr., was the eldest of nine children fathered by “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World” actor Mickey Rooney, who died in 2014. Rooney Jr.’s death was reported by The Hollywood Reporter, which said that he died in Glendale, Ariz., though no cause has been given.

Mickey Rooney, Jr., is pictured in 1962. (Bettmann/)

In 1955, Rooney Jr., along with his brother Tim Rooney, became one of the original Disney Mouseketeers, starring in ABC’s “The Mickey Mouse Club.” They were both let go within a year after only a few episodes.

A working musician, Rooney Jr. played with performers including Willie Nelson. He also acted with Nelson in

Born in Birmingham, Ala., Rooney Jr. played in bands with Willie Nelson, as well as acted along with him in the 1980s movies “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Songwriter.”

His longtime companion Chrissie Brown, a singer with whom he’d spend the last 18 years, reportedly said Rooney Jr. had struggled with drugs and alcohol addiction, both of which he overcame. She called him “a wonderful man.”

Actor Mickey Rooney enjoys a visit with his son, Mickey, Jr., 2, in 1948. (Bettmann/)

Paul Peterson, who was a Mouseketeer along with Rooney Jr., called his former castmate “the personification of damaged goods” on a farewell Facebook posting in which he credited him for giving “all he could.”

Peterson started a fund-raiser to see to Rooney Jr.’s final expenses.

“Rest In Peace at last,” he wrote. “We will see to your wishes.”

Mrs. Mickey Rooney, Betty Jane Rase, holds Mickey Rooney Jr., the youngster weighed 7lbs 5ozs at birth on August 3, 1945. Father Mickey Rooney was serving the European Theatre of operations at the time.