Rooney Undergoes Bypass Surgery

December 21 -- Mickey Rooney endured three and a half hours of multiple bypass heart surgery Wednesday, an operation deemed necessary after the Oscar-nominated actor was found to have arterial blockage.

Rooney was set to become a spokesman for a heart monitor called Inside Track, but when he went to test out the product Monday, he discovered he had complete blockage of one artery and partial blockage in another. He underwent an angiogram Wednesday and decided to have the bypass surgery the same afternoon, according to The Associated Press.

The 80-year-old actor is preparing to do a February tour with his wife, Jan, for their One Man — One Wife show. Jan, who is his eighth wife, told Variety, "I know I'm going to get 10 or 20 more years out of this guy!" The couple has been married for 22 years.

Rooney is expected to be released from the Ventura County, Calif., hospital soon. "He's in great shape and should be home on Christmas Day," Kevin Pawley, Rooney's manager, told the AP.

Last year, Rooney had emergency surgery for a perforated colon while he was performing on an Australian tour.

The former child star was the Leonardo DiCaprio of his day. He was one of Hollywood's hottest stars at 19, was washed-up at 40, and then saw his career resuscitated in his late 50s. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1983.