Born Edmund Anthony Cutlar Purdom on December 19, 1924 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England. After attending St. Ignatius College he began his acting carrer as a stage actor in 1945, appearing in such prodcutions as “Romeo and Juliet” and Molière's “The Imaginary Invalid”. His stage appearances and good looks caught the attention of Hollywood where he was cast in the leading role of the musical “The Student Prince (1954) opposite Ann Blyth. He had replaced Mario Lanza who had a dispute with the director. Purdom lip-synched the songs to Lanza's voice. He is best remembered for his leading role in “The Egyptian” (1954) replacing Marlon Brando. He later appeared in like films such as “Athena”, “The Prodigal” and “The King's Thief”. At this point his career began to lose steam so he re-located to Rome where he spent the rest of his life. He began to appear in 'Sword and Sandal' films and later westerns such as “The Last Ride to Santa Cruz” and “Shoot to Kill” both 1963. “Charge of the Seventh” (1964), “Gun Shy Piluk” and “A Wreath for the Bandits” both 1968. He then became a voice dubber for Italian films into English. He was married to actresses Anita Phillips (1954-1962), Linda Christian (1962-1963) and is the father of journalist Lilan Purdom. Purdom passed away on January 1, 2009 of heart failure in Rome. We remember Edmond Purdom today on what would have been his 85th birthday.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Remembering Edmund Purdom
Born Edmund Anthony Cutlar Purdom on December 19, 1924 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England. After attending St. Ignatius College he began his acting carrer as a stage actor in 1945, appearing in such prodcutions as “Romeo and Juliet” and Molière's “The Imaginary Invalid”. His stage appearances and good looks caught the attention of Hollywood where he was cast in the leading role of the musical “The Student Prince (1954) opposite Ann Blyth. He had replaced Mario Lanza who had a dispute with the director. Purdom lip-synched the songs to Lanza's voice. He is best remembered for his leading role in “The Egyptian” (1954) replacing Marlon Brando. He later appeared in like films such as “Athena”, “The Prodigal” and “The King's Thief”. At this point his career began to lose steam so he re-located to Rome where he spent the rest of his life. He began to appear in 'Sword and Sandal' films and later westerns such as “The Last Ride to Santa Cruz” and “Shoot to Kill” both 1963. “Charge of the Seventh” (1964), “Gun Shy Piluk” and “A Wreath for the Bandits” both 1968. He then became a voice dubber for Italian films into English. He was married to actresses Anita Phillips (1954-1962), Linda Christian (1962-1963) and is the father of journalist Lilan Purdom. Purdom passed away on January 1, 2009 of heart failure in Rome. We remember Edmond Purdom today on what would have been his 85th birthday.
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