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William Powell (I) (1892–1984)

William Powell was on the New York stage by 1912, but it would be ten years before his film career would begin. In 1924 he went to Paramount Pictures, where he was employed for the next seven years. During that time, he played in a number of interesting films, but stardom was elusive. He did finally attract attention with The Last Command (1928) ... See full bio »
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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins. See more awards »

Known For

The Thin Man
The Thin Man Nick Charles
(1934)
Life with Father
Life with Father Clarence Day - Father
(1947)
My Man Godfrey
My Man Godfrey Godfrey
(1936)
Song of the Thin Man
Song of the Thin Man Nick Charles
(1947)
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Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Actor (96 credits)
 1955 Mister Roberts
Doc
 1953 How to Marry a Millionaire
J.D. Hanley
 1953 The Girl Who Had Everything
Steve Latimer
 1952 The Treasure of Lost Canyon
Homer 'Doc' Brown
 1949 Dancing in the Dark
Emery Slade
 1949 Take One False Step
Andrew Gentling
 1948 Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid
Mr. Peabody
 1947 The Senator Was Indiscreet
Senator Melvin G. Ashton
 1947 Song of the Thin Man
Nick Charles
 1947 Life with Father
Clarence Day - Father
 1946 The Great Morgan
William Powell (voice, uncredited)
 1946 The Hoodlum Saint
Terence Ellerton 'Terry' O'Neill
 1945 Ziegfeld Follies
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
 1944 The Thin Man Goes Home
Nick Charles
 1944 The Heavenly Body
William S. Whitley
 1943 The Youngest Profession
William Powell
 1942 Crossroads
David Talbot
 1941 Shadow of the Thin Man
Nick Charles
 1941 Love Crazy
Steve Ireland
 1940 I Love You Again
Larry Wilson aka George Carey
 1939 Another Thin Man
Nick Charles
 1938 The Baroness and the Butler
Johann Porok
 1937 Double Wedding
Charles Lodge
 1937 The Emperor's Candlesticks
Baron Stephan Wolensky
 1937 The Last of Mrs. Cheyney
Charles
 1936 After the Thin Man
Nick Charles
 1936 Libeled Lady
Bill Chandler
 1936 My Man Godfrey
Godfrey
 1936 The Ex-Mrs. Bradford
Dr. Lawrence Bradford
 1936 The Great Ziegfeld
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
 1935 Rendezvous
Lieutenant Bill Gordon
 1935 Escapade
Fritz
 1935 Reckless
Ned Riley
 1935 Star of Midnight
Clay 'Dal' Dalzell
 1934 Evelyn Prentice
John Prentice
 1934 The Key
Capt. Bill Tennant
 1934 The Thin Man
Nick Charles
 1934 Manhattan Melodrama
Jim Wade
 1934 Fashions of 1934
Sherwood Nash
 1933 The Kennel Murder Case
Philo Vance
 1933 Double Harness
John Fletcher
 1933 Private Detective 62
Donald Free
 1932 Lawyer Man
Anton (Tony) Adam
 1932 One Way Passage
Dan Hardesty
 1932 Jewel Robbery
The Robber
 1932 High Pressure
Gar Evans
 1931 The Road to Singapore
Hugh Dawltry
 1931 Ladies' Man
Jamie Darricott
 1931 Man of the World
Michael Trevor
 1930 For the Defense
William B. Foster
 1930 Shadow of the Law
Jim Montgomery aka John Nelson
 1930 Paramount on Parade
Philo Vance (Murder Will Out)
 1930 The Benson Murder Case
Philo Vance
 1930 Street of Chance
John D. Marsden / 'Natural' Davis
 1930 Behind the Make-Up
Gardoni
 1929 Pointed Heels
Robert Courtland
 1929 Charming Sinners
Karl Kraley
 1929 The Greene Murder Case
Philo Vance
 1929 The Four Feathers
Capt. William Trench
 1929 The Canary Murder Case
Philo Vance
 1928 Interference
Philip Voaze
 1928 Forgotten Faces
Froggy
 1928 The Vanishing Pioneer
John Murdock
 1928 The Dragnet
Dapper Frank Trent
 1928 Partners in Crime
Smith
 1928 Feel My Pulse
Her Nemesis
 1928 Beau Sabreur
Becque
 1928 The Last Command
Lev Andreyev
 1927 She's a Sheik
Kada
 1927 Nevada
Clan Dillon
 1927 Paid to Love
Prince Eric
 1927 Time to Love
Prince Alado
 1927 Special Delivery
Harold Jones
 1927 Señorita
Manuel Oliveros
 1927 Love's Greatest Mistake
Don Kendall
 1927 New York
Trent Regan
 1926 Tin Gods
Tony Santelli
 1926 The Great Gatsby
George Wilson
 1926 Beau Geste
Boldini
 1926 Aloma of the South Seas
Van Templeton
 1926 The Runaway
Jack Harrison
 1926 Desert Gold
Snake Landree
 1926 Sea Horses
Lorenzo Salvia
 1926 White Mice
Roddy Forrester
 1925 The Beautiful City
Nick Di Silva
 1925 My Lady's Lips
Scott Seldon
 1925 Faint Perfume
Barnaby Powers
 1925 Too Many Kisses
Julio
 1924 Romola
Tito Melema (as William H. Powell)
 1924 Dangerous Money
Prince Arnoldo da Pescia
 1923 Under the Red Robe
Duke of Orleans (as William H. Powell)
 1923 The Bright Shawl
Gaspar De Vaca
 1922 Outcast
DeValle
 1922 When Knighthood Was in Flower
Francis I (as William H. Powell)
 1922 Sherlock Holmes
Foreman Wells (as William H. Powell)
Show Show Soundtrack (10 credits)
Show Show Self (5 credits)
Show Show Archive footage (33 credits)

Related Videos

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Personal Details

Other Works:

(3/29/48) Radio: Appeared (as "Larry Wilson") on a "Lux Radio Theatre" broadcast of "I Love You Again". See more »

Publicity Listings:

4 Print Biographies | 4 Portrayals | 11 Articles | 1 Pictorial | 2 Magazine Cover Photos | See more »

Alternate Names:

William H. Powell

Height:

5' 10½" (1.79 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

There is more money in being liked by an audience than in being disliked by it. The biggest thing about movie audiences is the sympathy they give characters on the screen. But the art of acting and the talent of selecting what one will act are divorced qualities. See more »

Trivia:

Purchased for Jean Harlow a 150-carat sapphire engagement ring for $20,000, and presented it to her for Christmas of 1936. See more »

Nickname:

Bill

Star Sign:

Leo
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