Rooney, who was one of the biggest box office stars of the movies' studio era, had been ill for some time, TMZ said. It did not give a cause of death and a spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
Rooney, who spent almost his entire life in show business, teamed up with Judy Garland in the 1939 movie muscial "Babes in Arms." He also starred with Elizabeth Taylor in 1944's "National Velvet," which launched Taylor's career.
Rooney was best known for his role as Andy Hardy, the popular all-American teenager, which he portrayed in about 20 movies.
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."
