Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Mickey Rooney's portrayal of Mr. I.Y. Yunioshi in the 1961 film *Breakfast at Tiffany's* is widely recognized as one of Hollywood's most egregious examples of yellowface. Rooney, a white actor, depicted the Japanese character with exaggerated buck teeth, taped-back eyes, and a heavily accented, often unintelligible, speaking pattern. This caricature, intended as comic relief, is now almost universally condemned for perpetuating harmful and racist stereotypes. Even Rooney himself later expressed regret for the role, stating that he would "never have done it" if he had known how offensive it would be. The character's inclusion has led to calls for the film to be critically re-evaluated and for the character to be omitted from broadcasts and streaming services.