- Holds the distinction of being the only personality to have his hand/footprints removed from the TCL (formerly Grauman's) Chinese Theater walkway. Purdom received the honor only six days after the premiere of The Egyptian (1954), which was only his third credited film (the first two being Julius Caesar (1953) and The Student Prince (1954)). Industry outcry was so great that his prints were swiftly removed, the space later occupied by the prints of Yul Brynner. Purdom's prints have since vanished, their whereabouts unknown to date.
- He worked extensively as a voice dubbing actor for many years - dubbing numerous European (mostly Italian) films into English.
- Father of Lilan Purdom, a French television journalist.
- Was typecast wearing togas in Hollywood costume dramas and European 'sword and sandal' epics, from the time he appeared on Broadway in "Caesar and Cleopatra" and "Antony and Cleopatra", respectively in 1951 and 1952.
- Won the lead role in The Student Prince (1954) after Mario Lanza's weight gain forced him out of the part; won the lead role in The Egyptian (1954) after Marlon Brando turned it down in favor of playing Napoleon in Désirée (1954).
- Son of an artist/critic; he attended Douai, St. Ignatius and Downside schools in England, UK.
- Began acting on stage in 1945.
- He was long based in Rome.
- First acted in repertory theatre in 1945.
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