William Powell : Question about his career

Question about his career

Why was Mr. Roberts his last role? I'm sure he could have gotten many roles after that

Re: Question about his career

He retired after that movie. He actually was up for another movie and a TV program with Myrna Loy, but he was 62/63 years old and decided that the problems on the Mr. Roberts set (long location shoot, John Ford getting sick, and the constant delays) were too much for him and he wasn't up for it anymore. He had beaten Cancer years ago but still felt the lingering effects of his treatment plus he had diabetes by the time of Mr Roberts. He said he had been acting since starting on the stage in 1912 and he was "tired" and wanted to enjoy his life with his wife. And did he ever! He lived nearly 30 years after he retired and after he sold his house in Beverly Hills he split his time between Palm Springs,CA and Colorado Springs,CO. He and his third wife "Mousie" were married for over 44 years from 1940 until his death in 1984. She died in 1997.


"All you need to start an Asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people"-(My Man Godfrey)

Re: Question about his career

Thanks for such a thorough reply! I was watching "Mister Roberts" tonight and looked up the movie here and was a bit shocked that this was his last role ever.
Since he lived another 30 years I was wondering what had happened; why he stopped acting. I'm glad he relaxed and lived out his life in peace and happiness!

Cheers!
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