Who was the movie star that played the LEAD in the most movies?
I have to disagree with the Guinness Book of records. I think it was Mickey Rooney. 336 movies and about 95% he was playing the lead. He was in EIGHTY-THREE "Mickey McGuire" movies, alone (that's where he got the name "Mickey" (real name Joe Yule, Jr.) Even subtracting the Mickey McGuire movies (they were "shorts"), that leaves 253!! Okay subtracting maybe 20, where he was not the lead (probably not that many) leaves 233!! Leaving John Wayne's 142 (my favorite actor) in the dust.
Also, one time Cary Grant was asked who the best actor in Hollywood was, and he said "Mickey Rooney". I'm not sure I agree with him, but it is an interesting answer. Another thing in Rooney's favor: He was married to Ava Gardner (I think her first husband), and she gave a great deal of credit to Mickey Rooney for showing her the techniques and intricacies of acting. He had been acting for so long (many of his films were in the silent film era) that his acting was instinctual.