Born on December 7, 1928 in San Fernando, California as Marion Lee Thompson Jr. When he was born his dad was working as a construction boss on the Pacoima Dam and when he came to see him for the first time he brought a friend with him, a big Irish contractor. Mickey had long, flaming red hair and the big Irishman's first comment was, "There's a Mick if I ever saw one!" That's been his name ever since.