An American actor, born in Bethel, Illinois, on October 20, 1878. He attended University of Southern California and University of Pennsylvania. Purnell married Julia C. Price and had no children, and she remained with him until his death. He began his career in silent films, after which he played diverse roles from judges to crime bosses. He's known for Scarface (1932), Crimson Romance (1934) and The Mystery Squadron (1933). Pratt died in 1941, at age 55.