Rooney, who was one of the biggest box office stars of the studio era, had been ill for some time, the Hollywood website said.

It did not give a cause of death and a spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Born Joe Yule Junior in New York in 1920, he first appeared on the stage at 17 months and went on to spend almost his entire life in show business, appearing alongside some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

He teamed up with Judy Garland in the 1939 movie musical Babes in Arms and starred with Elizabeth Taylor in the 1944 classic National Velvet, which launched Taylor's career.

However, Rooney was best known for his role as wholesome teenager Andy Hardy, a character he portrayed in about 20 movies.

He was nominated for Academy Awards throughout his career and after 60 years on the silver screen he was recognised with an honorary Academy Award statue in 1983.

His most recent film appearance was in The Muppets in 2011.

Rooney was married eight times, the first time to screen beauty Ava Gardner.

Asked once if he would marry all his eight wives again, he said: "Absolutely. I loved every one of them."

He is survived by his wife Jan, whom he married in 2012, and eight children.

ABC/Reuters

__________________
Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating