Noel Purcell (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Noel Purcell
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1999 commemorative stamp
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| Born |
Patrick Joseph Noel Purcell
23 December 1900 Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 3 March 1985 (aged 84) Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
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| Resting place | Deansgrange Cemetery, Blackrock, Dublin |
| Occupation | Film, television, and stage actor |
| Years active | 1926–1984 |
| Spouse(s) | Eileen Marmion (1941–1985) (his death) |
| Children | Four sons |
Noel Purcell was a famous Irish actor. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, on December 23, 1900. He became well-known for his roles in movies, TV shows, and plays. You might know him from films like Moby Dick (1956) and Mutiny on the Bounty (1962). He was a talented performer who entertained people for many years.
Early Life and School
Noel Purcell's full name was Patrick Joseph Noel Purcell. His father, Pierce Purcell, was an auctioneer, and his mother, Catherine, was an antique dealer. He grew up in Dublin, where he was born.
He went to school at Synge Street CBS. Noel had a unique feature: he was missing parts of two fingers. He lost the tip of his right index finger while making cigarette machines. He also lost his entire left index finger in a different accident when he was learning to be a carpenter. He even used this in the movie Mutiny on the Bounty to make his character more interesting!
A Career in Acting and Music
Noel Purcell started acting very young. He was only 12 years old when he first performed at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. Later, he traveled around Ireland with a vaudeville show, performing with another famous Irish entertainer, Jimmy O'Dea.
He began acting in movies in 1934. He played a sailor in The Blue Lagoon (1949). He was also part of Captain Ahab's crew in the classic film Moby Dick. Noel worked with famous director John Huston in films like The List of Adrian Messenger (1963) and The Mackintosh Man (1973).
On television, Noel was a regular on the British show The Buccaneers in 1955. In 1962, he played William McCoy in Mutiny on the Bounty. He also played a kind rabbi in the children's musical movie Flight of the Doves (1971).
Noel Purcell was also a singer. He performed a song called "The Dublin Saunter," which became very popular in Dublin. Even though he didn't earn any money from it, the song is still loved by many people today. He also recorded a spoken version of "Dublin in the Rare Old Times" by Pete St. John.
In 1958, he was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life, where guests are surprised and celebrated. In June 1984, the city of Dublin gave him a special honor called the Freedom of the City. Noel Purcell passed away nine months later in his hometown of Dublin, at the age of 84.
Personal Life
Noel Purcell married Eileen Marmion on July 7, 1941. Eileen was also a child actress when she was younger. They had four sons together.
Images for kids
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1999 commemorative stamp
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Plaque in Noel Purcell Walk in Dublin, Ireland
