December 23, 1900

Irish film and television actor Noel Purcell was born in Dublin on this day in 1900. Purcell began his acting career at an early age, debuting on Dublin’s Gaiety Theater stage at the age of 12. He also did vaudeville as a boy. He moved to film, acting in 1947’s “Captain Boycott,” and played a crew member on Ahab’s ship in 1956’s “Moby Dick.” Purcell appeared in several British TV series. He was awarded with the Freedom of the City of Dublin award in 1984.