Born in England but raised in Australia by his Norwegian father and Irish mother, Purcell was a bored landscaper who decided to attend a drama school. He became a TV star in Australia before debuting in America as the title character in John Doe. In 2000, he won the Green Card lottery and now lives in Los Angeles with his family.


He was a classmate of Hugh Jackman at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. Has four children: Joseph (b. August 12th 1999), Audrey (b. October 30th 2001) and twins Lily-Rose and Augustus (b. July 7th 2003). His mother is Maureen (she's Irish). Has two nieces named Claudia and Eilisha (Marie-Therese's daughters). Whilst in Ireland at Christmas 2007 he and his brother saved the life of a 16 month old boy, who was choking, by slapping his back to dislodge an onion ring and then Damian giving CPR until he started breathing again. Til this day both Dom and Damian keep in touch with the child and the boy's family.