William Powell Wiki: William Powell was a significant person in Hollywood during its “golden age,” he had a life of successes and adventures. William was born in Pittsburgh in 1892 to Nettie Manila (Brady) and Horatio Warren Powell. As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming famous. William Powell’s life has been full of ups and downs, from Pittsburgh’s rough streets to Hollywood’s glitz.
Table of Contents
In this biography, we’ll learn much about this famous actor’s personal life, his looks, his long and successful work, and how much money he made over the years. William Horatio Powell was born on July 29, 1892. He grew up in a pretty standard way. When William Powell was in high school, his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he finished Central High School.
Powell had planned to study law at the University of Kansas, but fate had other ideas. He soon moved to New York City and went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to study acting. Even though he left the AADA in 1912, it gave him the skills to have a great movie career.
William Powell Wiki/Bio
| William Powell Wiki and Biography | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Horatio Powell |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1892 |
| Birthplace | Pittsburgh |
| Parents | Nettie Manila (Brady) and Horatio Warren Powell |
| Education | Central High School, University of Kansas, American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Spouse(s) | Eileen Wilson, Carole Lombard, Diana Lewis |
| Children | William David Powell |
| Political Affiliation | Republicans |
| Relocation | Moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1907 |
| Hobbies | Painting |
| Favorite Food | Pasta |
| Favorite Book | The Great Gatsby |
| Childhood Hero | Abraham Lincoln |
William Powell Height, Weight, and More
Most of what we know about William Powell‘s life comes from what he did and who he was close to, but we should also talk about the person behind the parts. Powell was known for his sharp features and dashing looks, which added to his charm on screen.
Here, we look at the things about Powell’s body that made him stand out. William Powell was 6 feet 2 inches tall and had a strong personality. His voice was one of the things that made him stand out in the time of talkies. His thin body and deep-set eyes often drew in co-actors and fans alike.
| William Powell Height, Weight, and More | Details |
|---|---|
| Height (in feet) | 6 feet 2 inches |
| Height (in meters) | 1.88 m |
| Weight (in kg) | 78 kg |
| Weight (in pounds) | 172 pounds |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Shoe Size | 11 US |
| Distinctive Feature | Deep-set eyes |
| Diet | Mediterranean diet |
| Workout Routine | Cardio and weights |
William Powell Career Information
William Powell is known worldwide for how well he acts and how memorable his parts are. Powell started his career in 1922 when he played Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes with John Barrymore. He became one of the most bankable stars of his time. Powell had a lot of charm on screen.
He was in 14 movies with Myrna Loy, including the famous Thin Man series. He was always in Hollywood, where he gave acts that people will never forget. His range was shown in movies like “The Last Command,” “The Canary Murder Case,” and “My Man Godfrey.” Powell has been nominated for three Academy Awards over the years, showing his dedication to his work.
| William Powell Career Information | Details |
|---|---|
| First Major Role | Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes (1922) |
| Frequent Co-star | Myrna Loy |
| Popular Film Series | The Thin Man |
| Academy Award Nominations | The Thin Man (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936), Life with Father (1947) |
| Other Notable Films | The Last Command, The Canary Murder Case |
| Start in Hollywood | 1922 |
| Last Film | Mister Roberts (1955) |
| Theatre Beginnings | Vaudeville and stock companies |
| Breakout Role | Philo Vance in The Canary Murder Case (1929) |
| First Studio Contract | Paramount |
| Voice | Strong stage-developed voice, an asset in talkies |
William Powell Net Worth Information
Powell made a lot of money in his career. He was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood during its “golden age.” Even though no one knows how much he is worth, Powell lived a comfortable and luxurious life thanks to his long work, investments, and endorsements.
His huge homes, expensive cars, and trips show that he liked the more excellent things in life. Even though he had a lot of money, Powell’s most significant treasure was the love and respect of his fans worldwide.
| William Powell Net Worth Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth at the time of his death | $5 million |
| Primary Source of Income | Acting |
| Real Estate Holdings | Malibu Beachfront Mansion |
| Car Collection | 1930s Packard, Rolls Royce |
| Endorsement Deals | Coca-Cola |
| Investments | Stocks, Bonds |
| Philanthropy | Supported various children’s charities |
| Travel Destinations | Paris, Monaco |
| Luxury Items | Vintage Wine Collection, Art Pieces |
| Memorabilia Auctions | Signed movie posters fetched high prices |
| Lifestyle | Lavish and sophisticated |
10 Interesting Facts about William Powell
- William Powell was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
- His pairing with Myrna Loy was one of the most iconic on-screen duos, making 14 films together.
- Powell’s distinctive voice was an asset in the transition from silent films to talkies.
- He married three times and was deeply affected by the tragic death of his second wife, Carole Lombard.
- After being diagnosed with cancer in the mid-1930s, Powell took a hiatus from acting but returned successfully.
- He was known for his sophistication and wit on and off the screen.
- Powell retired from films in 1955, opting to live a private life away from the limelight.
- He was an avid reader and had a vast personal library.
- Despite facing personal tragedies, Powell was known for his resilience and positive outlook.
- His legacy as a leading man of the golden age of Hollywood remains unrivaled.
Conclusion
William Powell is an excellent example of Hollywood’s Golden Age appeal. His engaging acting, unique voice, and good looks cemented his place as one of the best actors ever. Powell’s life off-screen was full of personal tragedies and victories that made the aura around him even more vital.
He wasn’t just a child of his time but also an artist who left a mark on movies that will never be erased. His movies still get people’s attention today, and his legacy lives on. This is proof that real ability and charisma never go out of style.
