Michael with legendary stage and film actor Mickey Rooney, who passed away today, and Ann Miller backstage at the Shubert Theatre NY in 1983 after a performance of the show 'Sugar Babies' in which they starred. Michael met Mickey Rooney on several occasions, including at Liza Minnelli's wedding and in 1984, when Michael won 8 Grammy awards, Mickey, who was a presenter on the show jokingly added "It is a pleasure to do the 'Michael Jackson' Show" ! In 2009 Mickey and his then wife Jan paid the following tribute to Michael: ~ "Michael, there are no words to describe the phenomenon of greatness you possessed. Your family and friends all loved you ... not just for your magnificent talent, but because of the very caring person and humanitarian you were. Your life’s work lives on in the hearts of people all over the world. TO US, MICHAEL, YOU WERE A MUSICAL SAINT. YOU HAD IT ALL YOUNG MAN ... HOW SAD ... YOU PASSED AWAY TOO YOUNG. It is an overwhelming loss to the world. YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS DEARLY MISS YOU. WE MISS YOU. Jan and I will always treasure the few, but very special and precious memories we had together with you Michael ... you were a dear and loyal friend. May GOD keep you in his loving arms, and know that we will miss your healing voice and your soft and gentle manner. Your dancing, your music and EVERYTHING GOOD YOU WERE IN LIFE will live on for an eternity. YOU ARE NOT GONE, Michael. YOU have imprinted a strong and indelible mark which can never be erased. Thank you for your sincerity and generosity of spirit. You were on this earth but for a moment, but you have left us years of special memories to reflect upon. We are blessed to have known you MICHAEL JACKSON. WE CAN STILL FEEL YOUR LOVING SPIRIT. THE UNIVERSE WILL BE FOREVER SINGING YOUR PRAISES, MICHAEL … AND FOLKS AROUND THE WORLD EVERYWHERE … WILL CONTINUE TO REJOICE ... RELIVING THE SPLENDOUR OF YOUR MAJESTIC AND GLORIOUS SONGS. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU AS LONG AS WE LIVE. ALL OUR LOVE, JAN and MICKEY ROONEY" Mickey and his wife Jan, also attended Michael's memorial service in 2009 saying that Michael "was wonderful and a great entertainer. We liked everything about him. He used to call us up and sing 'Smile' with us" In 2010 ~ At the 'Michael Forever' tribute at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, June 25, 2010, Mickey Rooney and his wife, Jan, sang “You Are Not Alone,” and Charlie Chaplin‘s “Smile.”for Katherine Jackson ~ see here at link ~ http://youtu.be/mvdH1bjwNng "May You Rest In Peace" ~ Mickey Rooney via UKLovesMJ