Dick Powell was in the 30s the juvenile lead in the Warner backstage musicals opposite Ruby Keeler and Joan Blondell. After his career in musicals he was cast in privat-eye roles and became a producer and director in TV and movies.
He was a vocalist with Charlie Davis's orchestra before entering film. Starred in two famous radio series: as "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" in the series of the same name and as "Richard Rogue" in NBC's "Rogue's Gallery" (1945-1946). "Richard Diamond" was written and directed by a director who gained fame in Hollywood movies-- Blake Edwards. Interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California, USA. Father of Ellen Powell, from his marriage to Joan Blondell. He adopted Joan's son, Norman S. Powell in February 1938. Died on the same day, of the same cause, as Jack Carson. Father of 'Dick Powell Jr.' and Pamela Powell , from his marriage to June Allyson His parents were Ewing and Sallie Rowena Thompson Powell. His brother Luther Powell was born October 30, 1906, and died August 15, 1996. His brother Howard Smith Powell was born October 13, 1899, and died in January, 1986. He was yet another casualty of the 1956 film _The Conqueror (1956)_ filmed near a nuclear test site in Utah. Many of the people involved with the film, including Powell, who directed, eventually died of cancer, either caused by, or exacerbated by, working on it. Others included actors John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Ted de Corsia, and Agnes Moorehead.