William Powell
William Horatio Powell (July 29, 1892 - March 5, 1984) was an American actor, noted for his sophisticated, cynical roles.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he began a Broadway career in 1912 and a Hollywood career in 1922. His first starring role was as Philo Vance in 1929's The Canary Murder Case. He followed this up with the Vance role in The Kennel Murder Case in 1933. In the same year, he was divorced from his second wife, the actress Carole Lombard, who went on to marry Clark Gable.
Powell's most famous role was that of Nick Charles in several "Thin Man" films, beginning with The Thin Man in 1934. In 1935, he starred with Jean Harlow in Reckless, and they became engaged. She died before they could marry. He became so distraught, he went into semi-seclusion, taking fewer roles, but did re-marry in 1940. His career slowed considerably in the late 1940s, and his last film was Mister Roberts in 1955.
Powell died in Palm Springs, California thirty years after his retirement.
Academy Awards Nominations
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1636 Vine Street.
Referenced By
1928 in film | 1932 in film | 1932 in movies | 1934 in film | 1934 in movies | 1936 in film | 1936 in movies | 1942 in music | 1984 | 29 July | 29th July | 5 March | 5th March | Academy Award for Best Actor | Academy Awards/Best Actor | After the Thin Man | Another Thin Man | Banned book | Banned books | Carol Lombard | Carole Lombard | Fiftieth Parliament of the United Kingdom | Harlean Carpenter | Jean Harlow | Jean Harlowe | July 29 | July 29th | Libeled Lady | Libelled Lady | Life with Father | List of banned books | MPs elected in the UK general election, 1983 | MPs elected in the UK general election, 1987 | March 5 | March 5th | Mister Roberts | My Man Godfrey | Myrna Loy | O'Jays | Powell | Shadow of the Thin Man | Song of the Thin Man | The Great Ziegfeld | The Last Command | The O'Jays | The Thin Man | The Thin Man Goes Home
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