Tyrone Power, one of film's greatest matinee idols, adored by women and emulated by men, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 5, 1914 to famous Shakespearean actors Frederick Tyrone Edmund Power and Helen Emma Reaume Power, known by the stage names Tyrone and Patia Power. He came from a long line of distinguished actors.

Tyrone was in ill-health as a child and his family, which now included younger sister Anne, moved to San Diego, California's warmer climate. His parents divorced and Patia moved the family back to Cincinnati in 1923 where she taught voice and dramatic expression. His mother's profession made a lasting impression on Tyrone. He was awarded the 1946 International Sound Research Institute award for diction.

Tyrone's father encouraged his son to pursue an acting career through their correspondence. He traveled and performed with his father in the early '30s and learned a great deal. Tyrone Sr. died in his son's arms of a heart attack on December 23, 1932.

His first screen role was a small part in Tom Brown of Culver. But parts were few and far between, so Tyrone left California for New York to do radio and theater. He went back to Hollywood in the spring of 1936 and signed with 20th Century-Fox. His first film for Fox was Girl's Dormitory. Darryl F. Zanuck took a chance and cast Tyrone in the big-budget film Lloyd's of London which shot him to stardom.

Tyrone made five films opposite Loretta Young and also starred with Sonja Henie and Alice in many popular movies. He married his Suez co-star Suzanne Charpentier (Annabella) on April 23, 1939 and also starred in his first Technicolor film Jesse James. 1939 was a big year for him. He was named the number two box office star in the nation.

Tyrone starred in his signature swashbuckling role of Zorro in 1940's The Mark of Zorro opposite Linda Darnell. He again appeared opposite Ms. Darnell and the luscious Rita Hayworth in the Technicolor remake of Valentino's Blood and Sand.

Tyrone enlisted as a private in the U.S. Marine Corps on August 24, 1942 and after completing Crash Dive he reported for duty at Camp Pendleton on January 2, 1943. On June 2, 1943, Tyrone received his commission as Second Lieutenant. He had been a licensed pilot since 1937. He logged eleven hundred hours of flying time with much of it under enemy fire. He was discharged a First Lieutenant on January 14, 1946.

Tyrone's first post-war film was The Razor's Edge in which he gave a credible performance. He received kudos for his excellent work in 1947's Nightmare Alley, which I consider one of his best roles.

He was divorced from Annabella in the late '40s and married Linda Christian in a lavish ceremony with 10,000 spectators on January 27, 1949 in Rome, Italy.

Tyrone's first film after his marriage man was The Black Rose. He made several undistinguished films and worked in the theater in the early '50s.

His daughter, Romina Francesca was born in Hollywood on October 2, 1951 and his daughter Taryn was born September 13, 1953. Tyrone divorced Linda Christian on August 7, 1956.

Pony Soldier was the last film that Tyrone made under his exclusive contract to Fox. His contract was one of the longest in the history of Hollywood. He could now be more selective in choosing his roles.

Tyrone made some respectable films in the '50s, including the still-popular movies The Long Gray Line, The Eddy Duchin Story and Witness for the Prosecution.

In late 1956, Tyrone formed the independent production company Copa Productions with his friend Ted Richmond. The newly formed company's first production was Abandon Ship!.

Tyrone married Deborah Ann Montgomery Minardos on May 7, 1958 and was delighted to learn he was to become a father again. He told friends that he could die a happy man if only his two wishes came true, he wanted a son and he wanted to die on stage. In August, Tyrone and Debbie set up a temporary residence in Madrid so he could begin his work on Solomon and Sheba.

On the morning of November 15, 1958, Tyrone and George Sanders worked on a grueling dueling scene which required numerous retakes. He collapsed, holding his left shoulder and arm. He was taken to his dressing room where he fell unconscious and was rushed to the nearest hospital. He died of a heart attack en route. Eerily, Tyrone had made a television commercial for the American Heart Association not long before his death. He was interred at Hollywood Memorial Cemetery (now called Hollywood Forever), Hollywood, California, USA. His tombstone includes the masks of Comedy and Tragedy and the inscription, "Good night, sweet prince..."

On January 22, 1959, Debbie gave birth to Tyrone William Power IV, who resembles his famous father.