EncyclopediaPowell, William
Powell, William, 1892–1984, American movie actor, b. Pittsburgh. Powell made his stage debut in 1912. He played the dapper villain in such early films as Sherlock Holmes (1921), Romola (1924), and Beau Geste (1926). In sound films, his sonorous voice and elegant manner made him more popular as a hero. Teamed with Myrna Loy, they combined romance, comedy, and sleuthing in the witty Thin Man series (five films, 1934–47). Powell's other notable films include The Great Ziegfeld (1936), My Man Godfrey (1936), and Mister Roberts (1955).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
More on William Powell from Infoplease:
- Libeled Lady (1936) - Starring Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracey, William Powell
- The Thin Man (1934) - Starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, Nat Pendleton, Minna Gombell
- The Great Ziegfeld (1936) - Starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Luise Rainer, Frank Morgan, Fanny Brice
- My Man Godfrey (Mon homme Godfrey) - Starring William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick, Eugene Pallette
- My Man Godfrey (Mon homme Godfrey) - Starring William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick, Eugene Pallette
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