Each year on November 15, as soft autumn light settles over Hollywood Forever Cemetery, a quiet pilgrimage takes place. Admirers, historians, and devoted fans gather to honor Tyrone Power—a man whose charm and artistry bridged the Golden Age of Hollywood and whose sudden death in 1958 left an ache that time has never fully erased. What began decades ago as a simple tribute has evolved into one of the cemetery’s most enduring annual traditions, a testament to how deeply Power’s legacy continues to resonate.
Reported by Allan R. Ellenberger for The Hollywoodland Revue
This year marked the 67th anniversary of his passing, and Hollywood Forever hosted a memorial service that blended remembrance, scholarship, and heartfelt devotion. The event was held at 11 a.m. in the main chapel, where the warm glow of votive candles and the echo of soft footsteps created an intimate sanctuary for reflection.
A Tribute Shaped by Service and Stardom
Unlike some previous ceremonies, this year’s speakers focused on Power’s military career—a chapter of his life often overshadowed by his luminous Hollywood roles. As a dedicated Marine, Power served bravely during World War II, flying cargo and evacuation missions and later continuing his involvement with the Marine Reserves.
His 1943 wartime picture Crash Dive, in which he portrayed a Navy lieutenant, was revisited not just as a film but as a reflection of the patriotism and discipline that guided him during the war years. It was a reminder that Power’s heroism extended far beyond the screen.
Tye Justis
Father Aiden Comerford
Anthony Hernandez
Angie Schneider
A Ceremony Curated with Care
This year’s memorial had been arranged by Maria Ciaccia, a respected Hollywood researcher and writer whose deep knowledge of Power’s life was instrumental in shaping the Tyrone Power DVD box set. Though Ciaccia was unable to attend this year, she entrusted the program to Hollywood Forever's Chanell O'Farrill and a group of dedicated presenters who carried out her vision with thoughtfulness and grace.
Tye Justis stepped in as emcee, offering warm, steady guidance through the morning’s reflections. Father Aiden Comerford opened the service with prayers, grounding the ceremony with a spiritual serenity that seemed to settle over the chapel like a quiet blessing.
One of the most poignant moments came with the appearance of Anthony Hernandez, representing the United States Marine Corps—the very branch in which Power served. Hernandez spoke with clarity and admiration about Power’s military record, his professionalism, and his enduring reputation among Marines. His remarks underscored the genuine respect Power earned—not only as an actor but as a serviceman whose dedication never wavered.
The above are images from the collection of Debbie Benos
Angie Schneider of Hollywood Heritage followed with the reading of a letter dated August 10, 1945, that Power wrote to a friend. Collector Debbie Benos presented a display of rare and cherished pieces from her extensive Tyrone Power collection—photographs, memorabilia, and artifacts that brought the man and the star vividly to life for all in attendance.
And in a particularly touching contribution, Joanna Ramos produced a short film honoring Power's military career, filled with archival material and imagery that reminded the audience just how luminous his presence remains.
A Ceremony Reshaped by Weather, Not Diminished by It
Hollywood had its own script twist in store: a soft but steady rain swept across the cemetery grounds, preventing the traditional walk to the Garden of Legends where Power is buried. Yet the weather failed to dampen the ceremony’s spirit. After the chapel service the floral tributes were placed before Power’s tomb. Each flower, gleaming with raindrops, felt like a quiet promise that remembrance endures—even when skies darken.
Floral arrangements placed after the memorial service
A Tradition That Refuses to Fade
The annual Tyrone Power Memorial began in 1959, organized originally by publicist Bud Testa at the encouragement of industry friends who feared their friend’s legacy might fade without a dedicated tribute. It has lasted far longer than any of them could have imagined. Generations later, it is kept alive not through spectacle but through sincerity—through people like Ciaccia, Justis, Hernandez, Schneider, Benos, Ramos, and the many who continue to show up year after year.
At Hollywood Forever, where so many of cinema’s pioneers rest, Power’s memorial remains one of the cemetery’s most heartfelt rituals. It is a reminder not only of the star who once swashbuckled across the screen with easy elegance, but of the man behind the glamour: a dedicated Marine, a devoted father, a generous colleague, and a performer whose appeal never dims.
And so, on this rain-washed November morning, the tradition endured once more—proof that in Hollywood, true legends never fade. They simply wait, quietly, for the next gathering of voices to speak their names.
Below are scenes from Tyrone Power's funeral in 1958... Photo Credit: Life Magazine
Are you a fan of Tyrone Power? Have you attended services in the past or today? Please share your comments below:
Add comment
Comments
I am very grateful to everyone who participated in the memorial today. I was so sorry I could not be there but illness prevented it. Tye Justis stood in for me at the last minute and did a magnificent job. I am thrilled that so many people participated. The cemetery does a great job helping to put it together. I don’t know at this point if I would even call myself a fan. Tyrone is responsible for my career path, and I feel very close to his family. I love, classic film, and it means so much that people still watch it. I just wish we had an even bigger audience for these great movies and these great stars.,
Honored to share my artifacts knowledge and love for Ty since I discovered him in 1971. Will never let this tradition go ! He is more than deserving ! Each year I do a different theme and they just get better and better !