Television Producer, Director, Executive. Born Norman Scott Barnes, his mother was actress Joan Blondell, his father was motion picture cinematographer George S. Barnes, his parents divorced during his early youth and he would be adopted by Blondell's second husband actor Dick Powell. After studying at Cornell University, he followed his parents' career paths into the entertainment industry, initially as an assistant director for the TV programs "Zane Grey Theatre" and "The Rifleman" and moved on to production manager for "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "Richard Diamond, Private Detective," "Burke's Law" and "Honey West." He rose to director for the the television series "The Big Valley" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show." Along with Jim Allen and Martin Cohan, Powell created the TV series "The Bob Crane Show" (1975) and served as the primary director. During the 1970s, he turned to producing and had credits with the Roald Dahl penned screenplay motion picture "The Night Digger" (1971) which starred Patricia Neal, "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" (1977), "Rafferty" (1977), "24" (2003) and the TV-Movie documentaries "American Valor" (2003) and "Brothers at War" (2009). Powell received Emmy Award nominations for "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" and "24." Additionally, he served as vice president of CBS's entertainment production division for thirteen years. He died from acute respiratory failure.
Television Producer, Director, Executive. Born Norman Scott Barnes, his mother was actress Joan Blondell, his father was motion picture cinematographer George S. Barnes, his parents divorced during his early youth and he would be adopted by Blondell's second husband actor Dick Powell. After studying at Cornell University, he followed his parents' career paths into the entertainment industry, initially as an assistant director for the TV programs "Zane Grey Theatre" and "The Rifleman" and moved on to production manager for "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "Richard Diamond, Private Detective," "Burke's Law" and "Honey West." He rose to director for the the television series "The Big Valley" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show." Along with Jim Allen and Martin Cohan, Powell created the TV series "The Bob Crane Show" (1975) and served as the primary director. During the 1970s, he turned to producing and had credits with the Roald Dahl penned screenplay motion picture "The Night Digger" (1971) which starred Patricia Neal, "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" (1977), "Rafferty" (1977), "24" (2003) and the TV-Movie documentaries "American Valor" (2003) and "Brothers at War" (2009). Powell received Emmy Award nominations for "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" and "24." Additionally, he served as vice president of CBS's entertainment production division for thirteen years. He died from acute respiratory failure.
Bio by: C.S.
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