Background
Purcell was born Richard Gerald Purcell, Junior. in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Purcell was born Richard Gerald Purcell, Junior. in Greenwich, Connecticut.
An only child, he attended Catholic grade school and high school, before enrolling as a student at Fordham University in The Bronx in New York City.
Purcell also appeared in films such as Tough Kid (1938),, and While in New York City, Dick Purcell began his acting career in theatre, appearing in at least three plays: Men in White, Sailor, Beware! and Paths of Glory. During his time acting in Paths of Glory, a talent scout spotted Purcell and this led to a small role in the film.
His next film was in which Purcell had a larger role as a newspaper reporter.
Purcell appeared in eleven films in 1936 alone. is a Republic serial film based (loosely) on the comic book character lieutenant was the last Republic serial made about a superhero. lieutenant also has the distinction of being the most expensive serial that Republic ever made.
The serial sees, really District Attorney Grant Gardner, trying to thwart the plans of The Scarab, really museum curator Doctor Cyrus Maldor - especially regarding his attempts to acquire the "Dynamic Vibrator" and "Electronic Firebolt", devices that could be used as super-weapons. Purcell was cast as the hero despite supposedly appearing a bit overweight and average.
The role that made Dick Purcell famous turned out to be his last, and in fact he died before the film serial was released, to enormous success: The strain of filming had been too much for his heart and he collapsed in the locker room at a Los Angeles country club on 10 April 1944, shortly after playing a round of golf.
Purcell died a few weeks after filming was completed.
