William Powell lived in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from high school there in 1910. Who was his neighbor who lived a few blocks away?

William Horatio Powell (July 29, 1892 – March 5, 1984) was an American actor. A major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he was paired with Myrna Loy in 14 films, including the "Thin Man" series based on the Nick and Nora Charles characters created by Dashiell Hammett. Powell was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times: for "The Thin Man" (1934), "My Man Godfrey" (1936), and "Life with Father" (1947).

In 1907, he moved with his family to Kansas City, Missouri, where he graduated from Central High School in 1910. The Powells lived just a few blocks away from the Carpenters, whose daughter Harlean also went to Hollywood, under the name Jean Harlow, although he and she did not meet until both were established actors.

After high school, he left home for New York and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts at the age of 18. In 1912, Powell graduated from the AADA, and worked in some vaudeville and stock companies. After several successful experiences on the Broadway stage, he began his Hollywood career in 1922, playing a small role as an evil henchman of Professor Moriarty in a production of Sherlock Holmes with John Barrymore.

In 1935, he starred with Jean Harlow. A romance developed between them, and in 1936, they were reunited on screen and with Loy and Spencer Tracy in the screwball comedy "Libeled Lady". Harlow died from uremia at the age of 26 in 1937 before they could marry.