Tyrone Edmund Power

 Tyrone Edmund Power, Jr., (May 5, 1914 – November 15, 1958)

From 1930s to the 1950s Power appeared in dozens of films, often in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads. His better-known films include The Mark of Zorro, Blood and Sand, The Black Swan, Prince of Foxes, Witness For The Prosecution, The Black Rose, and Captain from Castile. Though largely a matinee idol known for his striking looks, Power starred in films from a number of genres, from drama to light comedy. In the 1950s he began placing limits on the number of films he would make in order to have time for the stage. He received his biggest accolades as a stage actor in John Brown's Body and Mister Roberts. Power went to Hollywood in 1936. The director Henry King was impressed with his looks and poise, and he insisted that Power be tested for the lead role in Lloyd's of London, a role thought already to belong to Don Ameche. Despite his own reservations, Darryl F. Zanuck decided to give Power the role, once King and Fox editor Barbara McLean convinced him that Power had a greater screen presence than Ameche. Power was billed fourth in the movie but he had by far the most screen time of any actor. He walked into the premiere of the movie an unknown and he walked out a star, which he remained the rest of his career.

He was named the second biggest box office draw in 1939, surpassed by only Mickey Rooney. In August 1942, Power enlisted in the Marine Corps. He attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Power then attended Officer's Candidate School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on June 2, 1943, later receiving a promotion to First Lieutenant. In the 1950s, Power was becoming increasingly unhappy with his movie assignments, with such movies as American Guerrilla in the Philippines and Pony Soldier, so in 1950 he traveled to England to play the title role in Mister Roberts to sellout crowds for twenty-three weeks, at the London Coliseum.

In September 1958, Tyrone Power and his wife Deborah went to Madrid and Valdespartera, Spain to film the epic Solomon and Sheba, to be directed by King Vidor, co-starring with Gina Lollobrigida. She was worried about his health and asked him to slow down but he pushed ahead with the movie. Power had filmed about 75 percent of his scenes, when he was stricken with a massive heart attack while filming a dueling scene with his frequent co-star and friend, George Sanders. He died en route to the hospital, at age 44. Tyrone Power is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.