Tyrone Power III, a prominent American actor from the 1930s to the 1950s, graced the silver screen in numerous films, often portraying swashbuckling heroes and romantic leads. His notable works include classics like "Jesse James," "The Mark of Zorro," and "Nightmare Alley," the latter being his personal favorite. Power's charismatic performances and captivating screen presence cemented his status as a celebrated figure in cinematic history.
May 5, 1914: Birth of Tyrone Power III
Tyrone Edmund Power III was born on May 5, 1914. He would go on to have a successful acting career, appearing in many films from the 1930s to the 1950s.
1914: Tyrone Power III is Born into a Theatrical Family
Tyrone Power III was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1914 to a family with a rich history in theatre, tracing back several generations.
1915: Birth of Ann Power
In 1915, Tyrone Power III's sister, Ann Power, was born after the family relocated to California.
1920: Fairbanks Stars in "The Mark of Zorro"
In 1920, Douglas Fairbanks took on the role of Don Diego Vega/Zorro in "The Mark of Zorro," setting the stage for a classic swashbuckler film that would later be revisited with Tyrone Power in the lead role.
December 1931: Tyrone Power Sr. Passes Away
In a tragic turn of events, Tyrone Power Jr.'s father, Tyrone Power Sr., suffered a fatal heart attack in December 1931 while preparing for a performance of "The Miracle Man."
1931: Power Graduates High School and Pursues Acting
Upon graduating from Purcell High School in 1931, Power decided to follow in his father's footsteps and pursue a career in acting.
1932: Power's Early Acting Roles and Move to New York
In 1932, Power landed a small role in the film "Tom Brown of Culver." He also appeared as an extra in "Flirtation Walk." He eventually decided to move to New York to further his acting career on stage.
1936: Power's Rise to Fame with a String of Successful Films
From 1936 to 1943, Tyrone Power's career flourished with numerous hit films, establishing him as a prominent figure in Hollywood.
1936: Power's Hollywood Breakthrough in "Lloyd's of London"
Tyrone Power moved to Hollywood in 1936 and was cast as the lead in the film "Lloyd's of London." Despite being billed fourth, his screen presence catapulted him to stardom.
1938: Loaned to MGM for "Marie Antoinette"
In 1938, Tyrone Power was loaned out to MGM for a role in the film "Marie Antoinette." Despite his star power, he played a supporting role, much to the dismay of Darryl F. Zanuck, who vowed not to loan Power out to other studios again.
July 14, 1939: Marriage to Annabella
Tyrone Power married French actress Annabella on July 14, 1939.
1939: "Jesse James" Becomes a Box-Office Hit
The release of "Jesse James" in 1939 marked a significant moment in Tyrone Power's career, becoming a major box-office success. However, the film also drew criticism for its romanticized portrayal of the notorious outlaw. This marked Power's first experience with filming on location and working with Technicolor.
1939: Power Achieves Box-Office Success
Tyrone Power's popularity soared in 1939 as he secured the position of the second-highest box-office draw, solidifying his status as a major Hollywood star.
1940: "The Mark of Zorro" Reinvigorates the Swashbuckler Genre
The release of "The Mark of Zorro" in 1940, starring Tyrone Power as the iconic masked hero, brought the swashbuckler genre back into the limelight. Power's portrayal, along with his real-life swordsmanship skills, earned him acclaim and further solidified his star power.
August 1942: Power Enlists in the Marines
In August 1942, Tyrone Power made the decision to put his acting career on hold and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
1942: Power Enlists in the Marines
In late 1942, putting his acting career on hold, Tyrone Power enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
June 2, 1943: Power Becomes a Marine Corps Officer
Tyrone Power's dedication to serving his country led him to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1942. After completing his training, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on June 2, 1943.
1943: Power's Final Film Before Enlistment: "Crash Dive"
Tyrone Power's final film before entering the military, "Crash Dive," was released in 1943. The film, a patriotic war effort, served as a recruiting tool and featured Power in his Marine Corps Reserve uniform.
1943: Power's Career Put on Hold for Military Service
Tyrone Power's successful acting career was interrupted in 1943 when he left to serve in the military.
July 1944: Power Assigned to Transport Squadron
Tyrone Power's aviation skills and experience led to his assignment as a transport co-pilot in the Marine Transport Squadron (VMR)-352 in July 1944.
December 1944: Squadron Relocates to California
In December 1944, Tyrone Power's squadron was relocated to the Marine Corps Air Station El Centro in California.
February 1945: Power's Squadron Arrives in the Marshall Islands
In February 1945, Tyrone Power's squadron arrived at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, a strategic location in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Mar 1945: Power Flies Missions During the Battle of Iwo Jima
In a testament to his bravery and dedication, Tyrone Power flew missions during the Battle of Iwo Jima from February to March 1945, transporting crucial supplies and evacuating wounded Marines.
Jun 1945: Power's Involvement in the Battle of Okinawa
Continuing his service in the Pacific Theater, Tyrone Power participated in the Battle of Okinawa from April to June 1945, piloting cargo planes and playing a vital role in supporting the Allied forces.
November 1945: Return to the United States
Tyrone Power returned to the United States in November 1945 after his service.
January 1946: Release from Active Duty
Tyrone Power was released from active duty in January 1946.
1946: Return to Screen in "The Razor's Edge"
Tyrone Power returned to the screen in 1946 after his military service, starring in "The Razor's Edge" alongside Gene Tierney, John Payne, and Anne Baxter.
1946: Goodwill Tour of South America
Tyrone Power, along with Cesar Romero and John Jefferies, embarked on a goodwill tour of South America in 1946, during which they met with notable figures including Juan and Evita Perón in Argentina.
September 1, 1947: Global Goodwill Flight
Tyrone Power, demonstrating his piloting skills, embarked on another goodwill trip, this time around the world, on September 1, 1947. Piloting "The Geek," his personal plane, and accompanied by experienced pilot Bob Buck, they flew to various destinations in Europe and South Africa, often met with enthusiastic crowds of fans.
1947: Release of "Captain from Castile"
"Captain from Castile", directed by Henry King, was released in 1947.
1947: Release of "Nightmare Alley"
"Nightmare Alley", a film noir that Tyrone Power fought hard to make, was released in 1947. Despite being a box-office failure, it was one of Power's favorite roles and earned him critical acclaim.
1948: Meeting Linda Christian and Allegations of Manipulation
While in Rome in 1948, Tyrone Power met and fell in love with Mexican actress Linda Christian. Lana Turner, in her autobiography, implied that Christian's presence at the same hotel as Power was not coincidental and suggested that Christian may have obtained Power's itinerary from 20th Century-Fox, leading to tension in Power's relationship with Turner.
1948: Release of Romantic Comedies
Tyrone Power starred in two light romantic comedies in 1948: "That Wonderful Urge" with Gene Tierney and "The Luck of the Irish" with Anne Baxter.
1948: Annabella Discusses Marital Troubles
In a 1948 Movieland magazine interview, Annabella attributed the start of her and Tyrone Power's marital problems to the impact of the war in Europe, which caused her distress and led her to take on stage roles that took her away from home.
1948: Affair with Lana Turner and Alleged Pregnancy
Following his separation from Annabella in 1948, Tyrone Power began a relationship with Lana Turner. In her 1982 autobiography, Turner revealed she became pregnant with Power's child during their relationship but made the decision to have an abortion.
January 27, 1949: Marriage to Linda Christian
Tyrone Power married Linda Christian on January 27, 1949, in Rome, with a large crowd of fans present.
1949: Release of "Prince of Foxes"
Tyrone Power continued his swashbuckler roles with the release of "Prince of Foxes" in 1949.
1950: Release of "The Black Rose"
"The Black Rose", another swashbuckler film starring Tyrone Power, was released in 1950.
1950: Stage Performance in "Mister Roberts"
Seeking a departure from costume roles, Tyrone Power traveled to England in 1950 to play the title role in "Mister Roberts" at the London Coliseum, where he enjoyed a successful run with sellout crowds.
May 8, 1951: Promotion to Captain in the Reserves
On May 8, 1951, Tyrone Power was promoted to the rank of captain in the reserves.
October 2, 1951: Birth of Romina Francesca Power
On October 2, 1951, Linda Christian gave birth to her and Tyrone Power's first child, a daughter named Romina Francesca Power.
November 1952: National Tour of "John Brown's Body"
Tyrone Power embarked on a ten-week national tour with "John Brown's Body" in November 1952, a three-person dramatic reading featuring Power, Judith Anderson, and Raymond Massey.
December 2, 1952: Look Magazine Feature
On December 2, 1952, Look Magazine featured Tyrone Power and his wife in a four-page spread showcasing a mural commissioned for their home, which depicted highlights of their lives and Power's career.
1952: Release of "Diplomatic Courier"
"Diplomatic Courier", a Cold War spy drama directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Tyrone Power, was released in 1952, receiving modest reviews.
1952: Release of "Pony Soldier"
Tyrone Power starred in "Pony Soldier", released in 1952.
April 1953: Broadway Run of "John Brown's Body"
The "John Brown's Body" tour concluded with a run of 65 shows between February and April 1953 at the New Century Theatre on Broadway.
September 13, 1953: Birth of Taryn Stephanie Power
Taryn Stephanie Power, the second daughter of Tyrone Power and Linda Christian, was born on September 13, 1953.
October 1953: Second National Tour of "John Brown's Body"
A second national tour of "John Brown's Body" commenced in October 1953, this time with Raymond Massey and Anne Baxter.
1953: Release of "King of the Khyber Rifles" and "The Mississippi Gambler"
Tyrone Power starred in two films released in 1953: "King of The Khyber Rifles" for Fox and "The Mississippi Gambler" for Universal-International.
November 1954: US and Canada Tour of "The Dark is Light Enough"
Tyrone Power toured the United States and Canada in the play "The Dark is Light Enough" from November 1954, playing the love interest opposite Katharine Cornell.
April 1955: Broadway Run of "The Dark is Light Enough"
The tour of "The Dark is Light Enough" concluded with a run on Broadway at the ANTA Theater, New York, until April 1955.
1955: Release of "Untamed" and "The Long Gray Line"
1955 saw the release of two films starring Tyrone Power: "Untamed", his last film under his contract with 20th Century-Fox, and "The Long Gray Line" for Columbia Pictures.
1955: Divorce from Linda Christian
Tyrone Power and Linda Christian's marriage ended in divorce in 1955 amidst allegations of infidelity on both sides.
1956: Release of "The Eddy Duchin Story" and Stage Performance in "The Devil's Disciple"
Tyrone Power starred in "The Eddy Duchin Story", released by Columbia Pictures in 1956. That same year, he returned to England to play the lead in a revival of George Bernard Shaw's "The Devil's Disciple".
1957: Meeting Deborah Minardos
Tyrone Power met Deborah Jean Smith, who went by Debbie Minardos, in 1957.
1957: Promotion to Major
Tyrone Power reached the rank of major in 1957 while serving in the reserves.
1957: Release of "The Sun Also Rises", "Seven Waves Away", and "Rising of the Moon"
Tyrone Power starred in three films released in 1957: "The Sun Also Rises" for Fox, and "Seven Waves Away" and "Rising of the Moon" for Copa Productions.
1957: Release of "Witness for the Prosecution"
Tyrone Power's performance in "Witness for the Prosecution", released in 1957, was critically acclaimed, marking a successful departure from his earlier typecast roles.
March 1958: Stage Performance in "Back to Methuselah"
In March 1958, Tyrone Power returned to the stage to play the lead in "Back to Methuselah", adapted from George Bernard Shaw's 1921 play.
May 7, 1958: Marriage to Deborah Minardos
Tyrone Power and Deborah Minardos married on May 7, 1958, and Deborah soon became pregnant with their son.
September 1958: Filming "Solomon and Sheba" and Health Concerns
In September 1958, Tyrone Power traveled to Spain to film "Solomon and Sheba." He had a history of heart disease and was a heavy smoker.
November 15, 1958: Death of Tyrone Power III
Tyrone Power III passed away on November 15, 1958, after a successful acting career.
December 8, 1958: Tyrone Power's Will and Eye Donation
Tyrone Power's will, filed on December 8, 1958, included a provision for his eyes to be donated to the Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation, a decision ahead of its time regarding organ donation.
January 22, 1959: Birth of Tyrone Power Jr. and Deborah's Remarriage
Deborah Power gave birth to their son, Tyrone Power Jr., on January 22, 1959. She later remarried to producer Arthur Loew Jr. within the same year.
1960: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, Tyrone Power was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
1982: Lana Turner Releases Autobiography
Lana Turner released her autobiography in 1982, where she shared details about her life and relationships, including her affair with Tyrone Power and the revelation of her alleged pregnancy with his child in 1948.
2005: DVD Release of "Nightmare Alley"
After years of legal issues, "Nightmare Alley" was released on DVD in 2005.
2008: American Cinematheque Tribute
The American Cinematheque paid tribute to Tyrone Power on the 50th anniversary of his death in 2008 with a weekend of film screenings, reminiscences from co-stars and family, and a display of memorabilia at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles.
2018: Ranked Among Most Popular Male Film Stars
In 2018, Tyrone Power was ranked the 21st most popular male film star in history, demonstrating his enduring legacy in the film industry.