A William Powell Biography
William Horatio Powell was born on July 29, 1982 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Nettie Manila Brady and Horatio Warren Powell. William grew up an only child and moved with his parents to Kansas City, Missouri in 1907. William's father, an accountant, wanted him to pursue a career in law however after performing in his high school production of The Rivals, William Powell had found his calling.
He briefly enrolled at the University of Kansas to appease his father but quickly left to work as a telephone operator in 1910 to fund his acting studies in New York. He wrote to his wealthy aunt, requesting financial assitance and after receiving $700, William moved to New York and began attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts(AADA). Some of his peers included Joseph Schildkraut and Edward G. Robinson. Upon graduating from the AADA in 1912, William began appearing in vaudeville and stock companies. His first role was a walk-on in The Ne'er-Do-Well in 1912 and in 1913, he had a supporting role in Within The Law for a two year tour.
William married his first wife, Eileen Wilson, who was also cast in the same play, in 1915. The marriage produced William's only son, William David Powell, born in 1925 before their divorce in 1930. William's son would go on to become a writer and producer for television however, after being diagnosed with hepatitis and, he would committ suicide in 1968.
A Lucky Villain & A Thin Man
William's role as a villain in Broadway's Spanish Love sparked the beginning of his screen career. During the show's two-year run, William was approached backstage and offered a small role in the film Sherlock Holmes. After the film's successful release that year, William appeared in two more films and wounded up his theatrical career with The Woman Who Laughed in 1923. Over the next seven years William continued his silent-screen career with films such as Under the Red Robe (1923) and Romola (1925), and smash hits like The Great Gatsby(1926) and The Four Feathers in 1928. His first starring role was as the detective Philo Vance in The Canary Murder in 1929 with co-star Louise Brooke. Originally started as a silent film however was quickly converted into a "talkie" after shooting was completed.. The film proved to be a marker as the rise and set of two Hollywood stars. For Louise Brooks, who refused to return and dub her voice, The Canary Murder resulted in the end of her film career. For William Powell, who's voice only added to his charismatic appeal and talent, the film catalyzed a multitude of leading roles in box-office hits.
In 1931, William Powell divorced Eileen and appeared in Man of the World and Ladies' Man with Carole Lombard who he would marry later on that same year. The two divorced two years later however remained friends until Lombard's death in 1942. Infact, William Powell recommended Carole Lombard for the film My Man Godfrey, which led to her one and only Oscar nomination.
After leaving Paramount for MGM studios, William was cast alongside Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, whom he would end up making 14 films with, in 1934's Manhattan Melodrama. It was during the shooting of this film that director W.S. Van Dyke noticed for the first time the natural chemistry that existed between Powell and Loy, making a mental note to pursue the pair after filming. Manhatton Melodrama went on to become a huge hit and Powell and Loy went off to film the first of the successful series, The Thin Man.
The Great Powell
The successful of The Thin Man was as "overnight" as an overnight sensation can be: it was filmed in 16 days! The mystery marvel launched the Thin Man series and earned Powell an Oscar Nomination for Best Actor. In additon to his successful series, Powell also made memorable films such as the screwball comedies Libeled Lady with future fiancee Jean Harlow, and My Man Godfrey with former wife, Carole Lombard. He received Oscar nod #2 from My Man Godfrey and also starred in Hollywood's tribute to theatre's legendary Florenz Ziegfeld in The Great Ziegfield, accompanied by his serial on-screen spouse, Myrna Loy.
In 1942 William Powell achieved one his life time goals and was cast to play Clarence Day in Life With Father. His performance earned him the best reviews of his career as well as Oscar nod #3. William continued to star in films such as Mr. Peabody And The Mermaid (1953) as well as How To Marry A Millionaire with blond bombshells Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable in 1955. William wrapped up his film career with Mr.Roberts.
He spent the last few decades of his life in Palm Springs, California with his third wife, Diana Lewis, whom he had married in 1940. Their marriage would last until his death on March 5, 1984.
William Powell will not only be remembered for his remarkable talent as one of Hollywood's most popular actors but also for his ability to perservere through personal struggles and preveal with triumphting success in his screen career that spanned four decades.
Bebe Daniels, Betty Grable, Carole Lombard, Lana Turner, Mae Murray, Myrna Loy, Olivia De Havilland,
Vivien Leigh, William Powell
From The Famous