Tyrone Power (Irish actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tyrone Power
Tyrone Power c. 1840
Born	William Grattan Tyrone Power 20 November 1797 Kilmacthomas, County Waterford, Ireland
Died	17 March 1841(1841-03-17) (aged 43) North Atlantic Ocean
Spouse(s)	Anne Gilbert

William Grattan Tyrone Power (born November 20, 1797 – died March 17, 1841) was a famous Irish actor. He was also a comedian, writer, and managed theaters. Many people knew him as Tyrone Power. He is sometimes called Tyrone Power I because his great-grandson, a famous American actor, was also named Tyrone Power.

Tyrone Power's Life and Stage Career

Tyrone Power as Corporal O'Conor

Power as Major O'Dogherty in the drama St. Patrick's Eve, 1837

Tyrone Power was born in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford, Ireland. His father was also named Tyrone Power and was known as a "minstrel," which means a musician or singer. His mother was Maria Maxwell. Her father had served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. The Power family was part of the Anglo-Irish landed gentry, which means they were wealthy landowners in Ireland with British roots.

Young Tyrone Power decided to become an actor. He became very well-known around the world. A big moment in his career happened in 1826. Another Irish actor, Charles Connor, passed away. Tyrone Power then took over many of the Irish roles that Connor used to play.

He became famous for acting in plays about Irish characters and life. Some of these plays include King O'Neil (1835), his own play St. Patrick's Eve (1837), Rory O'More (1837), and The White Horse of the Peppers (1838). He also starred in The Groves of Blarney (1838), Charles O'Malley (1838), His Last Legs (1839), and The Irish Attorney (1840).

Tyrone Power worked hard to show Irish characters in a positive way. At the time, some plays used "stage Irishmen" who were shown in a silly or negative light. Power wanted to change this and present Irish people with more respect.

Tyrone Power's Family

Tyrone Power had several children with his wife, Anne Gilbert. Many of his descendants also became famous.

• Sir William James Murray Tyrone Power (1819–1911) was a very important leader in the British Army. He was also briefly an Agent-General for New Zealand.
  • His granddaughter, Norah Power, married Dr. Thomas Guthrie.
    • Their son, Sir Tyrone Guthrie (1900–1971), became a famous British theater director.
• Harold Littledale Power (1833–1901) was an actor, wine merchant, and engineer.
  • His son was Tyrone Power Sr. (1869–1931). He was a well-known English actor in theater and silent movies.
    • His son was Tyrone Power (1914–1958). He became a huge American Hollywood movie star from the 1930s to the 1950s. He did not use "Tyrone Power III" as his screen name.
      • His daughter is Romina Power (born 1951), an American singer and film actress.
      • His daughter was Taryn Power (1953–2020), also a film actress.
      • His son is Tyrone Power Jr. (born 1959), an American film actor. He did not use "Tyrone Power IV" as his screen name.

Tyrone Power was sadly lost at sea in March 1841. He was on a ship called the SS President. The ship disappeared without a trace in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Published Works

Tyrone Power was also a writer. Here are some of his published works:

• Born to Good Luck: or the Irishman's Fortune. A farce in two acts. Adapted from "False and True". (A farce is a funny play.)
• How to Pay the Rent; a farce, in one act [and in prose]
• St. Patrick's Eve; or the Order of the Day. A drama in three acts [and in prose]
• The Lost Heir and The Prediction (1830)
• The King's Secret (1831)
• The Gipsy of the Abruzzo. (1831)
• Impressions of America, during the years 1833, 1834 and 1835. (1836) (This was a travel book about his time in America.)

See also

• List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea