William Powell - Cast

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William Powell

William Powell

William Horatio Powell (July 29, 1892 – March 5, 1984) was an American actor. A major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he was paired with Myrna Loy in 14 films, including the Thin Man series based on the Nick and Nora Charles characters created by Dashiell Hammett. Powell was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times: for The Thin Man (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936), and Life with Father (1947). After high school, he left home for New York and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts at the age of 18. In 1912, Powell graduated from the AADA, and worked in some vaudeville and stock companies. After several successful experiences on the Broadway stage, he began his Hollywood career in 1922, playing a small role as an evil henchman of Professor Moriarty in a production of Sherlock Holmes with John Barrymore. His most memorable role in silent movies was as a bitter film director opposite Emil Jannings' Academy Award-winning performance as a fallen general in The Last Command (1928). This success, along with Powell's pleasant speaking voice, led to his first starring role as amateur detective Philo Vance in the "talkie" The Canary Murder Case (1929). Powell's most famous role was that of Nick Charles in six Thin Man films, beginning with The Thin Man in 1934, based upon Dashiell Hammett's novel. The role provided a perfect opportunity for Powell, with his resonant speaking voice, to showcase his sophisticated charm and witty sense of humor, and he received his first Academy Award nomination for The Thin Man. Myrna Loy played his wife, Nora, in each of the Thin Man films. Their on-screen partnership, beginning alongside Clark Gable in 1934 with Manhattan Melodrama, was one of Hollywood's most prolific, and they appeared in 14 films together. Loy and Powell starred in the Best Picture of 1936, The Great Ziegfeld, with Powell in the title role and Loy as Ziegfeld's wife Billie Burke. That same year, he also received his second Academy Award nomination, for the comedy My Man Godfrey. In 1935, he starred with Jean Harlow in Reckless. A serious romance developed between them, and in 1936, they were reunited on screen and with Loy and Spencer Tracy in the screwball comedy Libeled Lady. However, Harlow surprisingly and quickly became ill, and died from uremia at the age of 26 in June 1937 before they could marry. His distress over her death, as well as a cancer diagnosis of his own, caused him to accept fewer acting roles. Powell's career slowed considerably in the 1940s, although he received his third Academy Award nomination in 1947 for his role as the cantankerous Clarence Day, Sr., in Life with Father. His last film was 1955's Mister Roberts. Powell died in Palm Springs, California, on March 5, 1984, at the age of 91 from heart failure, nearly 30 years after his retirement. He is buried at the Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California, near his third wife Diana Lewis, and his only child, his son William David Powell.

Casted
  • How to Marry a Millionaire

    How to Marry a Millionaire

    Played J.D. Hanley

    Average Rating
    6.8
    539 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 29, 1953
    73 years ago
  • The Thin Man

    The Thin Man

    Played Nick Charles

    Average Rating
    7.5
    503 votes
    Release Date
    May 25, 1934
    93 years ago
  • My Man Godfrey

    My Man Godfrey

    Played Godfrey

    Average Rating
    7.5
    372 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 02, 1936
    90 years ago
  • After the Thin Man

    After the Thin Man

    Played Nick Charles

    Average Rating
    7.3
    186 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 25, 1936
    90 years ago
  • Mister Roberts

    Mister Roberts

    Played Doc

    Average Rating
    7.1
    163 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 10, 1955
    71 years ago
  • The Great Ziegfeld

    The Great Ziegfeld

    Played Florenz 'Flo' Ziegfeld Jr.

    Average Rating
    6.3
    136 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 08, 1936
    91 years ago
  • Another Thin Man

    Another Thin Man

    Played Nick Charles

    Average Rating
    7.1
    130 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 17, 1939
    87 years ago
  • Libeled Lady

    Libeled Lady

    Played William 'Bill' Stephens Chandler

    Average Rating
    7.3
    125 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 09, 1936
    90 years ago
  • Shadow of the Thin Man

    Shadow of the Thin Man

    Played Nick Charles

    Average Rating
    7.0
    113 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 21, 1941
    85 years ago
  • The Thin Man Goes Home

    The Thin Man Goes Home

    Played Nick Charles

    Average Rating
    7.1
    98 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 24, 1944
    82 years ago
  • Song of the Thin Man

    Song of the Thin Man

    Played Nick Charles

    Average Rating
    6.8
    93 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 28, 1947
    79 years ago
  • The Last Command

    The Last Command

    Played Lev Andreyev

    Average Rating
    7.3
    86 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 21, 1928
    99 years ago
  • Manhattan Melodrama

    Manhattan Melodrama

    Played Jim Wade

    Average Rating
    7.0
    75 votes
    Release Date
    May 04, 1934
    93 years ago
  • Life with Father

    Life with Father

    Played Clarence Day Sr.

    Average Rating
    6.7
    68 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 13, 1947
    79 years ago
  • One Way Passage

    One Way Passage

    Played Dan Hardesty

    Average Rating
    7.3
    62 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 04, 1932
    94 years ago
  • Ziegfeld Follies

    Ziegfeld Follies

    Played Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.

    Average Rating
    6.0
    55 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 26, 1945
    81 years ago
  • I Love You Again

    I Love You Again

    Played Larry Wilson aka George Carey

    Average Rating
    7.2
    54 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 09, 1940
    86 years ago
  • The Kennel Murder Case

    The Kennel Murder Case

    Played Philo Vance

    Average Rating
    6.0
    54 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 28, 1933
    93 years ago
  • Jewel Robbery

    Jewel Robbery

    Played The Robber

    Average Rating
    6.4
    42 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 08, 1932
    95 years ago
  • That's Entertainment, Part II

    That's Entertainment, Part II

    Played (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.9
    39 votes
    Release Date
    May 16, 1976
    50 years ago
  • Love Crazy

    Love Crazy

    Played Steve Ireland

    Average Rating
    6.7
    37 votes
    Release Date
    May 23, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Crossroads

    Crossroads

    Played David Talbot aka Jean Pelletier

    Average Rating
    5.8
    37 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 23, 1942
    84 years ago
  • Double Wedding

    Double Wedding

    Played Charles Lodge

    Average Rating
    6.4
    35 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 15, 1937
    89 years ago
  • The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

    The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

    Played Dr. Lawrence 'Brad' Bradford

    Average Rating
    6.2
    30 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 24, 1936
    91 years ago
  • Evelyn Prentice

    Evelyn Prentice

    Played John Prentice

    Average Rating
    6.5
    29 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 09, 1934
    92 years ago
  • The Canary Murder Case

    The Canary Murder Case

    Played Philo Vance

    Average Rating
    5.7
    25 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 16, 1929
    98 years ago
  • Private Detective 62

    Private Detective 62

    Played Donald Free

    Average Rating
    5.9
    23 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 10, 1933
    94 years ago
  • Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid

    Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid

    Played Arthur Peabody

    Average Rating
    6.3
    23 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 11, 1948
    78 years ago
  • Star of Midnight

    Star of Midnight

    Played Clay Dalzell

    Average Rating
    5.8
    23 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 19, 1935
    92 years ago
  • Sherlock Holmes

    Sherlock Holmes

    Played Forman Wells

    Average Rating
    6.2
    22 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 07, 1922
    105 years ago
  • The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

    The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

    Played Charles

    Average Rating
    5.8
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 19, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Fashions of 1934

    Fashions of 1934

    Played Sherwood Nash

    Average Rating
    6.4
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 14, 1934
    93 years ago
  • Man of the World

    Man of the World

    Played Michael Trevor

    Average Rating
    5.9
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 24, 1931
    96 years ago
  • Take One False Step

    Take One False Step

    Played Andrew Gentling

    Average Rating
    5.2
    17 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 14, 1949
    77 years ago
  • Double Harness

    Double Harness

    Played John Fletcher

    Average Rating
    6.3
    17 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 21, 1933
    94 years ago
  • The Benson Murder Case

    The Benson Murder Case

    Played Philo Vance

    Average Rating
    5.8
    15 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 13, 1930
    97 years ago
  • The Baroness and the Butler

    The Baroness and the Butler

    Played Johann Porok

    Average Rating
    5.0
    15 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 18, 1938
    89 years ago
  • Reckless

    Reckless

    Played Ned Riley

    Average Rating
    5.0
    13 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 19, 1935
    92 years ago
  • Beau Geste

    Beau Geste

    Played Boldini

    Average Rating
    6.1
    13 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 24, 1926
    101 years ago
  • The Heavenly Body

    The Heavenly Body

    Played William S. Whitley

    Average Rating
    5.3
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 23, 1944
    83 years ago
  • Ladies' Man

    Ladies' Man

    Played Jamie Darricott

    Average Rating
    4.1
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 16, 1931
    96 years ago
  • La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

    La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

    Played Self

    Average Rating
    5.9
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 07, 1935
    91 years ago
  • The Greene Murder Case

    The Greene Murder Case

    Played Philo Vance

    Average Rating
    6.0
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 11, 1929
    98 years ago
  • Lawyer Man

    Lawyer Man

    Played Anton "Tony" Adam

    Average Rating
    5.8
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 24, 1932
    94 years ago
  • The Road to Singapore

    The Road to Singapore

    Played Hugh Dawltry

    Average Rating
    5.2
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 02, 1931
    95 years ago
  • Shadow of the Law

    Shadow of the Law

    Played Jim Montgomery aka John Nelson

    Average Rating
    6.4
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 06, 1930
    97 years ago
  • When Knighthood Was in Flower

    When Knighthood Was in Flower

    Played Francis I

    Average Rating
    5.7
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 15, 1922
    105 years ago
  • The Key

    The Key

    Played Capt. Bill Tennant

    Average Rating
    4.6
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 09, 1934
    93 years ago
  • For the Defense

    For the Defense

    Played William Foster

    Average Rating
    4.8
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 19, 1930
    97 years ago
  • High Pressure

    High Pressure

    Played Gar Evans

    Average Rating
    5.4
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 10, 1932
    95 years ago
  • The Girl Who Had Everything

    The Girl Who Had Everything

    Played Steve Latimer

    Average Rating
    5.8
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 27, 1953
    74 years ago
  • Street of Chance

    Street of Chance

    Played John D. Marsden / 'Natural' Davis

    Average Rating
    6.6
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 08, 1930
    97 years ago
  • The Emperor's Candlesticks

    The Emperor's Candlesticks

    Played Baron Stephan Wolensky

    Average Rating
    4.7
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 02, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Rendezvous

    Rendezvous

    Played Lt. William 'Bill' Gordon / Anson Meridan

    Average Rating
    4.3
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 25, 1935
    91 years ago
  • Paramount on Parade

    Paramount on Parade

    Played Philo Vance

    Average Rating
    6.1
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 22, 1930
    97 years ago
  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

    Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

    Played Self (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.1
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 06, 1975
    51 years ago
  • Feel My Pulse

    Feel My Pulse

    Played Her Nemesis

    Average Rating
    6.0
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 26, 1928
    99 years ago
  • It's a Big Country

    It's a Big Country

    Played Professor

    Average Rating
    5.3
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 20, 1951
    75 years ago
  • The Four Feathers

    The Four Feathers

    Played Capt. William Trench

    Average Rating
    4.4
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 01, 1929
    98 years ago
  • The Hoodlum Saint

    The Hoodlum Saint

    Played Terence Ellerton 'Terry' O'Neill

    Average Rating
    5.2
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 04, 1946
    81 years ago
  • The Youngest Profession

    The Youngest Profession

    Played William Powell

    Average Rating
    4.7
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 26, 1943
    84 years ago
  • Too Many Kisses

    Too Many Kisses

    Played Don Julio

    Average Rating
    5.5
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 11, 1925
    102 years ago
  • A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound

    A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound

    Played Self

    Average Rating
    6.7
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 24, 1940
    86 years ago
  • The Senator Was Indiscreet

    The Senator Was Indiscreet

    Played Senator Melvin G. Ashton

    Average Rating
    5.4
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 31, 1947
    79 years ago
  • The Treasure of Lost Canyon

    The Treasure of Lost Canyon

    Played Homer 'Doc' Brown

    Average Rating
    5.6
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 01, 1952
    75 years ago
  • Romola

    Romola

    Played Tito Melema

    Average Rating
    6.6
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 06, 1924
    102 years ago
  • The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn

    The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn

    Played Self (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    8.0
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 09, 1986
    40 years ago
  • Interference

    Interference

    Played Philip Voaze

    Average Rating
    7.0
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 04, 1928
    98 years ago
  • Behind the Make-Up

    Behind the Make-Up

    Played Gardoni

    Average Rating
    6.2
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 18, 1930
    97 years ago
  • Pointed Heels

    Pointed Heels

    Played Robert Courtland

    Average Rating
    6.1
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 20, 1929
    97 years ago
  • Cinecittà Babilonia: Sex, Drugs and Black Shirts

    Cinecittà Babilonia: Sex, Drugs and Black Shirts

    Played Self - Actor (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 14, 2017
    8 years ago
  • The Big Parade of Comedy

    The Big Parade of Comedy

    Played Nick Charles (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.3
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 02, 1964
    62 years ago
  • Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To

    Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To

    Played (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    9.0
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 04, 1990
    36 years ago
  • Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

    Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

    Played Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 25, 1983
    43 years ago
  • Dancing in the Dark

    Dancing in the Dark

    Played Emery Slade

    Average Rating
    5.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 02, 1949
    77 years ago
  • Paid to Love

    Paid to Love

    Played Prince Eric

    Average Rating
    6.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 23, 1927
    100 years ago
  • Special Delivery

    Special Delivery

    Played Harold Jones

    Average Rating
    6.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    May 06, 1927
    100 years ago
  • Outcast

    Outcast

    Played DeValle

    Average Rating
    1.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 07, 1922
    104 years ago
  • Hollywood: Style Center of the World

    Hollywood: Style Center of the World

    Played Self

    Average Rating
    5.5
    2 votes
    Release Date
    May 29, 1940
    87 years ago
  • The Romance of Celluloid

    The Romance of Celluloid

    Played Self (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    7.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 27, 1937
    89 years ago
  • The Great Morgan

    The Great Morgan

    Played William Powell (voice) (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.5
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 1945
    82 years ago
  • William Powell: A True Gentleman

    William Powell: A True Gentleman

    Average Rating
    7.5
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 02, 2005
    20 years ago
  • Nevada

    Nevada

    Played Clan Dillon

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 01, 1927
    100 years ago
  • Going Hollywood: The '30s

    Going Hollywood: The '30s

    Played (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    10.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 1984
    42 years ago
  • Partners in Crime

    Partners in Crime

    Played Smith

    Average Rating
    2.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 01, 1928
    99 years ago
  • Under the Red Robe

    Under the Red Robe

    Played Duke of Orleans

    Average Rating
    5.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 12, 1923
    103 years ago
  • The Drag Net

    The Drag Net

    Played Dapper Frank Trent

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    May 01, 1928
    99 years ago
  • Twenty Years After

    Twenty Years After

    Played (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 1944
    83 years ago
  • James Stewart: A Wonderful Life

    James Stewart: A Wonderful Life

    Played Self (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 13, 1987
    39 years ago
  • It's Showtime

    It's Showtime

    Played Self (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    7.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 31, 1976
    50 years ago
  • Escapade

    Escapade

    Played Fritz

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 05, 1935
    92 years ago
  • Charming Sinners

    Charming Sinners

    Played Karl Kraley

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 17, 1929
    98 years ago
  • The Bright Shawl

    The Bright Shawl

    Played Gaspar De Vaca

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 22, 1923
    104 years ago
  • The Great Gatsby

    The Great Gatsby

    Played George Wilson

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 21, 1926
    100 years ago
  • Forgotten Faces

    Forgotten Faces

    Played Froggy

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 05, 1928
    99 years ago
  • The Runaway

    The Runaway

    Played Jack Harrison

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 04, 1926
    101 years ago
  • Aloma of the South Seas

    Aloma of the South Seas

    Played Van Templeton

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    May 15, 1926
    101 years ago

  • The Voice of Hollywood

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 30, 1930
    96 years ago
  • Dangerous Money

    Dangerous Money

    Played Prince Arnoldo da Pescia

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 13, 1924
    102 years ago
  • Faint Perfume

    Faint Perfume

    Played Barnaby Powers

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 08, 1925
    102 years ago
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