Noel Purcell, born Patrick Joseph Noel Purcell, (23 December 1900 — 3 March 1985), was an Irish character actor.
He started in show business at the age of twelve at the Gaiety Theatre and went on to tour Ireland with Jimmy O'Dea, doing a vaudeville act.
After stage training, Purcell began appearing in many British films, some of which include The Blue Lagoon (1949), Moby-Dick, four films of the Doctor... Series, The Rising of the Moon, Watch Your Stern, No Kidding, Double Bunk, The Iron Maiden, and Nurse on Wheels. In 1959, he narrated the documentary, Seven Wonders of Ireland.
Just after World War II, he recorded the song "The Dublin Saunter", which was written by his friend Leo Maguire. The recording wasn't a hit at first, but over the years it became a classic and would be frequently played on the radio. Purcell never received any royalties as he never signed any contracts as he only did it as a favour for his pal.
He died at the age of 84.
Works on TV Tropes he appeared in:
Films- Knight Without Armour (1937) — Train Driver (Uncredited Role)
- Odd Man Out (1947) — Tram Conductor (Uncredited Role)
- The Blue Lagoon (1949) — Paddy Button
- Appointment with Venus (1951) — Trawley Langley
- The Crimson Pirate (1952) — Pablo Murphy
- Doctor in the House (1954) — Padre (Uncredited Role)
- Doctor at Sea (1955) — Corble
- Moby-Dick (1956) — Ship's Carpenter
- Doctor at Large (1957) — Padre
- The Rising of the Moon (1957) — Dan O'Flaherty
- Watch Your Stern (1960) — Admiral Sir Humphrey Pettigrew
- No Kidding (1960) — Mr. Tandy
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) — Seaman William McCoy
- Lord Jim (1965) — Captain Chester
- Doctor in Clover (1966) — O'Malley
- The McKenzie Break (1970) — Ferry Captain (Uncredited Role)
- The Saint, 2 episodes:
- "The Wonderful War" (1964) — Mike Kelly
- "Little Girl Lost" (1966) — Brendan Cullin
- The Avengers, episode "A Surfeit of H₂O" (1965) — Jonah Barnard
- I Spy, episode "Now You See Her, Now You Don't" (1967) — Fletcher
- Dixon of Dock Green, episode "The One That Got Away" (1969) — Thomas
- The Onedin Line, episode "Survivor" (1972) — Hennessy
- The Irish R.M., episode "Oweneen the Sprat" (1984) — O'Reilly
