IN MEMORY OF

Tyrone Power

 

 

By Allan R. Ellenberger 

 

Today was the 50^th anniversary of the death of matinee idol, Tyrone Power. To mark the occasion, a memorial service was held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery where the actor is interred. The service was held in the Chapel of the Psalms where Power’s funeral was held fifty years ago.

 

Those in attendance included Maria Ciaccia, author and film historian; Henry Colman, producer and friend who served with Power in the war; actress Terry Moore, his co-star in King of the Khyber Rifles (1953); Coleen Gray, his co-star in Nightmare Alley (1947); Mike Steckler, Power’s stand-in; Colin Watling, British recording artist, and the singing group, The Celtic Heart. Each one shared memories and anecdotes about Tyrone Power with the audience.

 

Copy of my autographed Tyrone Power memorial service program

 

Also participating were Power’s children, Romina and Taryn, the daughters he had with actress, Linda Christian, and Tyrone Power, Jr., whose mother was Debbie Ann Minardos, the actor’s last wife.

 

Tyrone Jr. was the emcee and shared stories, including one about being taught how to ride a bicycle at Hollywood Cemetery by his father’s stand-in, Mike Steckler. He also recalled that he recently appeared in a friend’s film and one of the scenes was shot at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. When he later saw the rushes, he noticed that in one shot he could see his father’s grave over his shoulder. He noted that, “This man is dead and he’s able to make it into my scene.”

 

Taryn recalled how she and her family recently survived a fire at her home in Wisconsin. The intensity of the flames blew many pieces of her father’s memorabilia through the roof and onto the snow covered lawn. Many pieces survived and one item in particular was an article about In Old Chicago (1937) showing a man fleeing the flames of the great Chicago fire.

 

Power’s eldest child, Romina, was seven years old when her father died and was attending school in Mexico. She read a letter from him sent from the set of Solomon and Sheba (1959), the film he was working on at the time of his death. In it her spoke of his love and affection and that he was sorry to be away, but promised to spend the following summer with her. Sadly, she didn’t receive the letter until after his death and never had the chance to respond, so she wrote a reply and read it to the audience. This was also the first time that she attended one of her father’s memorials.

 

Afterward, everyone walked to the gravesite where the Celtic Heart once again shared their music and Reverend Gary Dickey gave the closing prayer.

 

 

Chapel of the Psalms where Tyrone Power’s funeral was held 50 years ago

 

Tyrone Power’s gravesite prior to the service

 

Flower tribute

 

 

Tyrone Power, Jr.

 

 

Tyrone, Jr. and Romina Power. Terry Moore and Coleen Gray are behind them

 

Taryn Power, Mrs. Tyrone Power Jr, Tyrone Power Jr, and Romina Power

 

The family of Tyrone Power. Taryn, Tyrone Jr. and Romina are in the center

 

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