:Tom Powers is also the name of a fictional Irish-American gangster played by James Cagney in The Public Enemy. Tom Powers (July 7, 1890 - November 7, 1955) was an American stage and film actor. He was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, USA and died in Hollywood, California, of heart disease.

After years as a Broadway star in musical comedies and dramas, Powers, who previously appeared in a number of films in the 1910s, didn't become a full-time movie actor until his performance as the murder victim in the now classic Double Indemnity. From then on, Powers appeared in dozens of films and television shows, usually playing middle-aged business men or police officers. He played General Thayer in George Pal's Destination Moon (1950). (His nephew, Thomas Powers, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1971 and is the author of several books on the intelligence community.)

Spouse: Anita Janney

He had, in essence, two successful film careers, appearing in 42 films between 1911 and 1917. He then pursued a career on Broadway, where he became a star in both musical comedies and dramas. His invitation to play the murder victim in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (1944) restarted his career in movies and he appeared in an addition 62 films before his death in 1955.

Enjoyed a successful career on Broadway as a playwright, actor and director; active there from 1916-44.