Purnell Pratt (October 20, 1885 – July 25, 1941) was a prolific American film actor whose path to the screen began with ambitions for a career in opera. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, a lack of funds prevented him from pursuing this goal, leading him instead to join the chorus of a George M. Cohan production. This pivot proved successful, as Pratt spent the next decade honing his craft on stage with Cohan’s esteemed theatrical troupes. A veteran who served in France during World War I, he ultimately transitioned to film, where he appeared in an impressive 114 movies before his passing in 1941.
