Dick Powell
Dick Powell, born Richard Ewing Powell on November 14, 1904, was an American actor, singer, producer, and director. He had a successful career spanning several decades, transitioning from musicals to film noir and later becoming a prominent television executive.
Powell was born in Mountain View, Arkansas. At a young age, he developed a passion for music and began singing in local bands. In the late 1920s, he moved to California, hoping to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He started as a band vocalist and gained popularity with his smooth, crooning style.
In the early 1930s, Powell signed a contract with Warner Bros. and began his acting career in musicals. He showcased his singing talents in films like "42nd Street" (1933) and "Footlight Parade" (1933), becoming a popular leading man in the genre. Powell's charm, good looks, and impressive vocal range made him a favorite among audiences.
In the 1940s, Powell successfully transitioned from musicals to film noir, a genre known for its dark and gritty crime dramas. He wanted to shed his "good guy" image and take on more complex roles. This shift in his career was initially met with skepticism, but Powell proved his versatility and acting prowess.
Notable film noir performances by Powell include "Murder, My Sweet" (1944), in which he portrayed the iconic private detective Philip Marlowe, and "Cornered" (1945), where he played a World War II veteran seeking revenge for his wife's death. He also starred in "Pitfall" (1948) and "Cry Danger" (1951), among others, further solidifying his status as a leading actor in the genre.
In the 1950s, Powell expanded his career by becoming a successful television producer and director.
He formed his production company, Four Star Television, which produced popular TV series like "Zane Grey Theater" and "The Rifleman." Powell's business acumen and creative vision played a significant role in shaping the television landscape of the era.
Throughout his career, Powell received critical acclaim for his work, earning awards and nominations for his performances. He was also a respected figure in the industry, known for his professionalism and dedication to his craft.
Tragically, Dick Powell passed away on January 2, 1963, at the age of 58 due to lung cancer. His contributions to the entertainment industry, both as an actor and a behind-the-scenes figure, continue to be appreciated, and his influence on the film noir genre remains significant.
Powell was born in Mountain View, Arkansas. At a young age, he developed a passion for music and began singing in local bands. In the late 1920s, he moved to California, hoping to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He started as a band vocalist and gained popularity with his smooth, crooning style.
In the early 1930s, Powell signed a contract with Warner Bros. and began his acting career in musicals. He showcased his singing talents in films like "42nd Street" (1933) and "Footlight Parade" (1933), becoming a popular leading man in the genre. Powell's charm, good looks, and impressive vocal range made him a favorite among audiences.
In the 1940s, Powell successfully transitioned from musicals to film noir, a genre known for its dark and gritty crime dramas. He wanted to shed his "good guy" image and take on more complex roles. This shift in his career was initially met with skepticism, but Powell proved his versatility and acting prowess.
Notable film noir performances by Powell include "Murder, My Sweet" (1944), in which he portrayed the iconic private detective Philip Marlowe, and "Cornered" (1945), where he played a World War II veteran seeking revenge for his wife's death. He also starred in "Pitfall" (1948) and "Cry Danger" (1951), among others, further solidifying his status as a leading actor in the genre.
In the 1950s, Powell expanded his career by becoming a successful television producer and director.
He formed his production company, Four Star Television, which produced popular TV series like "Zane Grey Theater" and "The Rifleman." Powell's business acumen and creative vision played a significant role in shaping the television landscape of the era.
Throughout his career, Powell received critical acclaim for his work, earning awards and nominations for his performances. He was also a respected figure in the industry, known for his professionalism and dedication to his craft.
Tragically, Dick Powell passed away on January 2, 1963, at the age of 58 due to lung cancer. His contributions to the entertainment industry, both as an actor and a behind-the-scenes figure, continue to be appreciated, and his influence on the film noir genre remains significant.
Quotes:
"The best thing about switching from being an actor to being a director is that you don't have to shave or hold your stomach in anymore."
[observation, 1936] "I'm not a kid anymore but I'm still playing boy scouts."
- Dick Powell
Trivia:
In the 1940s he sold his 55-foot yacht, Santana, to lifelong sailing enthusiast Humphrey Bogart. The vessel subsequently achieved celebrity status as "Bogie's Boat" owing to his numerous seafaring expeditions, and Bogart even named his production company, Santana Productions, after it.
He was yet another casualty of the 1956 film The Conqueror (1956), which was 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 or exacerbated by working on it. Others included actors John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Ted de Corsia, and Agnes Moorehead. However, in a 2001 interview with Larry King Powell's widow June Allyson said he died of lung cancer caused by chain-smoking cigarettes.
