Mickey Rooney the inspiration for Mickey Mouse's name? Has anyone else heard this?

[Fantasmic23]

So, Mickey Rooney is Turner Classic Movies "Star of the Month". Almost every day this past week, there has been a marathon of the Andy Hardy movies (I watched a few. Cute, very cute).

I decided to google Mickey Rooney and on some website, he gave an interview where he said he met Walt Disney and shortly thereafter, Walt chose the name Mickey for his cartoon mouse. I'll try to find the link.

I always thought Walt originally chose the name "Mortimer" and his wife thought "Mickey" sounded better.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Never heard of the Mickey Rooney -Mickey Mouse connection. I wonder if he really believed it, or just thought it was more of a coincidence??

Anyway--those movies ARE pretty good. Lots of other young stars in them as well!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

False!

According to Wikipedia, Mickey Rooney was born with a different name in 1920 and did not start using that name until 1932, four years after Steamboat Willie.

The official word, according to all of Walt's biographers, was that on the train trip back to CA from NY when he converted Oswald to a mouse, Walt wanted to name him Mortimer. However, Lillian told hime that Mortimer was too stuffy a name and that's when Mickey was born.

 

[Fantasmic23]

The official word, according to all of Walt's biographers, was that on the train trip back to CA from NY when he converted Oswald to a mouse, Walt wanted to name him Mortimer. However, Lillian told hime that Mortimer was too stuffy a name and that's when Mickey was born.

Thanks! This is what I've always read about Walt Disney, too.

I'm thinking that it was just wishful thinking on Mickey's (Rooney) part!

 

[Fantasmic23]

Anyway--those movies ARE pretty good. Lots of other young stars in them as well!!

Yes, I really enjoyed them!