Tyrone Power Sr.

Frederick Tyrone Power was born in London, England, the son of concert pianist Harold Littledale Power and stage actress Ethel Lavenu, and the grandson of famed Irish actor Tyrone Power (1795-1841). He was educated at Dulwich College. His family emigrated to the U.S. and he was sent to Florida to work as a citrus farmer. However, he hated farming, having always wanted to be an actor, so he abandoned the citrus ranch and made his stage debut in 'The Private Secretary' in 1886. He toured the U.S., Britain, and Australia in theatrical tours, becoming a famed matinee idol and calling himself Tyrone Power II and Tyrone Power the Younger. In 1912, he was acclaimed for his Brutus in 'Julius Caesar'. In 1914, he entered films and played leading roles until age moved him into often villainous character roles. At home one night after shooting on the film 'The Miracle Man' in 1931, Power suffered a massive heart attack and died literally in the arms of his 17-year-old son, Tyrone Power (Tyrone Edmund Power Jr., as he was legally named).