Dominic Purcell

Born Dominic Haakon Myrtvedt Purcell on February 17, 1970, in Wallasey, an English town in Merseyside County, he has a diverse heritage with a father, Phil Myrtvedt, of Norwegian, British, and American descent, and an Irish mother, Maureen (née Clarke), granting him potential Irish citizenship.

At the age of two, Dominic’s family relocated to Australia, initially settling in Bondi, a suburb east of Sydney, before moving to Penrith. Although born in the United Kingdom, Purcell predominantly identifies as Australian. His educational journey included time at St. Finbar’s Primary School, Glenbrook, Blaxland High School, and St. Joseph’s School in Kingswood, followed by studies at McCarthy Catholic College and St. Dominic’s College.

Though Purcell is qualified in landscape gardening, he seldom worked in that profession. A sports enthusiast from a young age, he particularly enjoyed surfing. His passion for acting was ignited after watching “Platoon,” starring Charlie Sheen, compelling him to follow a path in acting. He enrolled in a drama school, showcased his talents at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP), and attended the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, where he was a contemporary of Hugh Jackman.

Dominic Purcell steadily built his theatrical career in the late 1980s, gracing the stage with his presence. His television break in Australia occurred in 1991, portraying Constable Rogers in three episodes of “Home and Away,” sharing the screen with Ray Meagher and Lynne McGranger. After this, Purcell briefly shifted his focus back to academic pursuits and theatrical roles.

Between 1997 and 1998, Dominic assumed a pivotal role in the series “Raw FM,” where he collaborated with Nadine Garner and Dan Spielman. He subsequently featured in television shows like “Water Rats” alongside Brett Partridge and “Moby Dick” with Patrick Stewart. In 1999, Purcell had short stints in “Heartbreak High” with Lara Cox and TV movies “First Daughter” with Doug Savant and “Silent Predators” alongside Harry Hamlin.

In 2000, Purcell embarked on an American journey, promptly marking his Hollywood debut. He portrayed the antagonist Ulrich in “Mission: Impossible 2,” starring Tom Cruise and Thandiwe Newton, catching the attention of casting directors. This led to numerous auditions and a steady stream of roles in Hollywood.

The year 2001 saw Purcell in two major films: “Invincible” with Billy Zane and Byron Mann, and the thriller “Scenes of the Crime” featuring Jeff Bridges. The following year, he starred in the sci-fi hit “Equilibrium” alongside Christian Bale and Sean Bean. In the same year, Purcell took on the lead role in the series “John Doe,” featuring John Marshall Jones and Jayne Brook.

2003 was significant for Purcell, playing the villain in “Blade: Trinity” with Wesley Snipes and Jessica Biel. He established himself in Hollywood, often seen in supporting and occasional lead roles. By the mid-2000s, he appeared in series like “North Shore” with Brooke Burns and “House” with Hugh Laurie, and in the film “Three Way” with Ali Larter, always aiming higher.

Dominic Purcell’s international acclaim skyrocketed with the 2005 premiere of “Prison Break” on Fox. In this critically acclaimed series, which received nominations for the Golden Globe, Emmy, and Saturn Awards, he portrayed Lincoln Burrows, known as “Linc.” Remarkably, he secured this role a mere three days before the pilot episode filming began.

Dominic featured in all five seasons of “Prison Break,” appearing in 90 episodes – a screen time matched only by co-star Wentworth Miller. The show was an instant success, drawing over 10 million viewers to its debut and maintaining a high viewership thereafter, elevating Purcell from a supporting actor to a lead star.

Post “Prison Break,” Purcell became discerning in his role selection, though he occasionally ventured into less successful projects. His most significant post-2000s role was as Mick Rory (also known as Heat Wave) in various superhero series on The CW, including “Arrow,” “The Flash,” and “Legends of Tomorrow.” This role showcased his versatility and further solidified his status in the entertainment industry.

Dominic Purcell’s collaborations extended to working with notable figures in the film industry. He appeared alongside Jason Statham, Clive Owen, and Robert De Niro in “Killer Elite,” shared the screen with Dave Bautista and Amy Smart in “House of the Rising Sun,” acted with Ray Liotta in “Bad Karma,” co-starred with John Cusack in “The Bag Man,” and featured with Bruce Willis in “Assassin.” Additionally, Purcell explored the production side of filmmaking. He took on the role of a producer, overseeing budgets in productions such as “Three Way,” “Prison Break,” “Balibo,” and others.

Dominic Purcell’s career trajectory reflects his ability to adapt to a wide range of roles, from action-packed blockbusters to introspective drama series, demonstrating his dynamic range as an actor. His contributions to both acting and production highlight his multi-faceted talent in the entertainment industry.

Dominic Purcell’s journey into matrimony began in 1998 when he wed Australian Rebecca Williamson, whom he met during his time at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. The union blessed them with four offspring: a son named Joseph, a daughter named Audrey, and twin children, Augustus and Lily-Rose. A testament to his devotion, Purcell bears a tattoo of their birthdates on his left hand. In 2000, the family relocated to the United States, making their home in Laguna Beach, California. Although their marriage concluded in 2008, Dominic and Rebecca have sustained an amicable relationship.

Between 2011 and 2014, Purcell was romantically involved with actress AnnaLynne McCord, renowned for her work in series such as “90210,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Their relationship rekindled a year later. It was revealed that McCord re-entered Dominic’s life as a supportive friend following his skin cancer diagnosis, leading to the revival of their romance. The relationship between Dominic and AnnaLynne experienced several phases of breakups and reconciliations until they ultimately went their separate ways at the end of 2020.

In November 2022, Dominic entered a relationship with Tish Cyrus, mother of the well-known singer and actress Miley Cyrus. Tish, deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, has not only managed her daughters’ careers but also has credits as a film producer. The couple’s relationship quickly flourished, leading to their engagement announcement in April 2023 and their marriage in Malibu later that August.

Following his departure from the series on The CW, Dominic Purcell’s presence in the acting world became less frequent. In 2021, he was featured in the Netflix horror film “Blood Red Sky.” The following year saw him acting alongside Bruce Willis in “Assassin,” and in 2023, he appeared in the action-packed “Confidential Informant” with Mel Gibson. Facing financial challenges, Purcell has been seen more often in less prominent “B” category films. As of now, his only confirmed upcoming role is in the fantasy action film “Paradise Lost,” starring alongside Bradley Cooper, marking a continuing, though evolving, journey in his acting career.