One of the great romantic swashbuckling stars of the mid-twentieth century, and the third Tyrone Power of four in a famed acting dynasty reaching back to the eighteenth century. His great-grandfather was the first Tyrone Power (1795-1841), a famed Irish comedian. His father, known to historians as Tyrone Power Sr., but to his contemporaries as either Tyrone Power or Tyrone Power the Younger, was a huge star in the theater (and later in films) in both classical and modern roles. His mother, Patia Riaume (Mrs. Tyrone Power), was also a Shakespearean actress as well as a respected dramatic coach.

Tyrone Edmund Power Jr. (also called Tyrone Power III) was born at his mother's home of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1914. A frail, sickly child, he was taken by his parents to the warmer climate of southern California. After his parents' divorce, he and his sister Anne Power returned to Cincinnati with their mother. There he attended school while developing an obsession with acting. Although raised by his mother, he corresponded with his father, who encouraged his acting dreams. He was a supernumerary in his father's stage production of 'The Merchant of Venice' in Chicago and held him as he died suddenly of a heart attack later that year.

Startlingly handsome, young Tyrone nevertheless struggled to find work in Hollywood. He appeared in a few small roles, then went east to do stage work. A screen test led to a contract at 20th Century Fox in 1936, and he quickly progressed to leading roles. Within a year or so, he was one of Fox's leading stars, playing in contemporary and period pieces with ease. Most of his roles were colorful without being deep, and his swordplay was more praised than his wordplay. He served in the Marine Corps in World War II as a pilot and saw action in the South Pacific.

After the war, he got his best reviews for an atypical part as a downward-spiraling con-man in Nightmare Alley. Although he remained a huge star, much of his postwar work was unremarkable. He continued to do notable stage work and also began producing films. Following a fine performance in Billy Wilder's Witness for the Prosecution, Power began production on Solomon and Sheba. Halfway through shooting, he collapsed during a dueling scene with George Sanders and died of a heart attack before reaching a hospital.

His three children, including his namesake, Tyrone William Power IV (known professionally as Tyrone Power Jr.), have all followed him in the family acting tradition.


Witness for the Prosecution (1957): $300,000 + % of gross

Son of Tyrone Power Sr., father of Ann Power, Romina Power, Taryn Power, and Tyrone Power Jr.. His great-grandfather, Tyrone Power (1795-1841), wrote the two-volume "Impressions of America: during the years 1833, 1834, 1835".(London: R. Bently, 1836). Children: Romina Francesca born 2 October 1951, Taryn born 13 September 1953 and Tyrone William born 22 January 1959 were all born at Cedars Hospital, Los Angeles, California. Portrayed Senator Dean Edwards on the syndicated radio show "Freedom USA" (1951-1952). Father of Tyrone William Power IV, known professionally as Tyrone Power Jr.. Mother's name is Patia Riaume (Mrs. Tyrone Power). He originally turned down role of "Leonard Vole" in Witness for the Prosecution (1957) due to depression over his film career. He was doing a lot of stage work and told Billy Wilder that he wasn't sure he ever wanted to make another film. Without Power, Wilder dropped the project, as they needed a star of his magnitude. Later, the producers went back to him and offered him $300,000 plus a percentage of the film, and he agreed to do it. Tyrone Power's name was invoked in an underwear commercial by spokesman Wally Cox who said, in his best, Mr. Milquetoast voice, "I may look like Wally Cox, but, inside, I'm Tyrone Power". When he was working on forming a theater company in Europe in the 1950s, he hired author Nora Sayre to read plays. She writes about that time in her book, "On the Wing," and about Power's relationship with girlfriend Mai Zetterling and the woman who was to become his third wife, Debbie Minardos. When romance novelist Barbara Cartland was asked how she could write such steamy books while still a virgin, she answered, "We didn't need sex. We had Tyrone Power". Charlton Heston wrote in his 1995 autobiography "In the Arena" that while filming Ben-Hur (1959) he was shocked to learn of Power's sudden death, especially since the actor was only a decade older than him. He said the incident made him think about his own mortality for the first time. There are yearly memorial services at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on the anniversary of his death, November 15. There is also one for Rudolph Valentino yearly. Mentioned in three films: Sunset Blvd. (1950) with the line "Can you see Ty Power as a shortstop?"; All About Eve (1950) with the line "What shall I tell Tyrone Power?"; and Flags of Our Fathers (2006) when the character of Rene Gagnon is referred to as "Tyrone Power" because of his good looks. At the time of his death Tyrone Power was a Major in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. During the filming of Jesse James (1939) Power had a fling with a local girl who got pregnant and put the child, a boy, up for adoption. Power spent a small fortune in the 40's searching for the child without success. He turned down Burt Lancaster's role in From Here to Eternity (1953). His heart attack was due to hereditary heart disease and smoking. On Nov 14-16, 2008, an event was held at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of his untimely passing. Four of his films were screened: Love Is News (1937), The Mark of Zorro (1940), The Razor's Edge (1946) and Nightmare Alley (1947). In attendance were his children, Tyrone Power Jr., Romina Power and Taryn Power. Also attending were several actors who worked with him, including Coleen Gray, Piper Laurie, Terry Moore and Jayne Meadows. Was involved in an illicit affair with Judy Garland that ended when he would not leave his wife for her (January-May 1943). He was the first actor awarded with The Harvard Lampoon Award in the Worst Actor of the Year category in 1939.