Early Life
Ella Summer Purnell was born on September 17, 1996, in the Whitechapel area of London, England. She grew up in Bethnal Green and was raised in a family with three younger half-siblings. Purnell attended several schools, including the City of London School for Girls and the Young Actors Theatre Islington. She also trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she honed her skills in acting, singing, and dance.
From a young age, Purnell was involved in performing arts. At just 12 years old, she made her stage debut in the West End production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This experience paved the way for her transition into film.
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Table of Contents
Who is Ella Purnell?
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters)
- Tattoo: Star Tattoo
- Boyfriend/ Partner: Max Bennett Kelly
- Family: 3 half siblings
Movies and TV Shows
Career Beginnings
Purnell’s acting career took off when she was cast as a young version of Keira Knightley’s character in the film Never Let Me Go (2010). This role marked her film debut and showcased her talent at a young age. In 2008, she gained significant recognition when she won a role in the West End production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where she performed for a year.
Following her debut, Ella appeared in various films:
- Intruders (2011) alongside Clive Owen
- Kick-Ass 2 (2013), where she played a supporting role
- Maleficent (2014), portraying the teenage version of Angelina Jolie’s character
- Wildlike (2014), a performance that earned her several awards, including the Grand Jury for Best Female Performance at the Gasparilla International Film Festival.
Rise to Prominence
Ella’s career trajectory continued to ascend with notable roles in both film and television. In 2016, she starred in Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, playing Emma Bloom. This role significantly raised her profile in Hollywood.
In recent years, Purnell has diversified her portfolio with roles in acclaimed series:
- Sweetbitter (2018-2019)
- Yellowjackets (2021-2023), where she played Jackie Taylor
- Fallout (2024), portraying Lucy MacLean, which has become one of Prime Video’s highest-rated shows.
- In addition to her acting roles, Ella has lent her voice to characters in animated series like Arcane (2021) and Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-2024).
Recent Projects and Achievements
Ella Purnell has not only acted but also taken on production roles. She is set to executive-produce and star in the upcoming Sky drama series Sweetpea. In recognition of her versatile career, she received the Madame Figaro Rising Star Award at the 2024 Canneseries Festival.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Beyond her acting career, Purnell is actively involved in philanthropy. She is associated with the non-profit organization Educate2Eradicate, which raises awareness about child and forced marriage as well as honor-based abuse. Additionally, she has been involved with Creative Visions since 2015 and serves as chairperson for the Influential Young Activists Movement.
Purnell has garnered attention for her performances and was recently awarded the Madame Figaro Rising Star Award at the 2024 Canneseries Festival. Her work has been recognized by various industry publications; she was named one of Screen International’s “UK Stars of Tomorrow.”
Personal Life
Ella Purnell is known for her distinctive large hazel eyes and has been open about her experiences in the industry. She previously dated actor Rob Raco and is currently in a relationship with musician Max Bennett Kelly. Despite her success, she expressed a desire to explore other paths, including writing for children or teaching, but chose to continue acting after being offered a significant role shortly after graduating high school.
Purnell continues to evolve as an actress, taking on diverse roles that challenge her range and ability. Her journey from a young girl in London to a rising star in Hollywood reflects her dedication and passion for the craft of acting.
Ella Purnell Brad Pitt Dating Rumors
Ella Purnell, a rising star in Hollywood, recently addressed long-standing rumors regarding her alleged romantic involvement with Brad Pitt. Despite tabloid speculation in 2017 that linked the two, Purnell clarified that they never dated. At the time, she was just 21 and had recently begun her career in the U.S. with the series Sweetbitter, which Pitt produced. The rumors emerged shortly after Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt, leading to a media frenzy that inaccurately portrayed Purnell as a potential homewrecker.
In a recent interview, Purnell reflected on the absurdity of the situation, noting how she initially found the rumors amusing but quickly became overwhelmed as they spiraled out of control. She expressed regret for not addressing them more decisively at the time, emphasizing that such narratives unfairly targeted her while deflecting scrutiny from Pitt.
Purnell’s career has since flourished, with notable roles in Yellowjackets and Amazon Prime’s Fallout, where she portrays Lucy MacLean. As she continues to gain recognition for her talent, she hopes to move beyond the shadow of unfounded rumors and focus on her evolving career
Height
Ella Purnell’s height is reported to be 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) according to multiple sources, including IMDb and Yahoo UK. However, some sources vary slightly, listing her height as 5 feet 6 inches1 or 5 feet 4 inches2. Overall, the most commonly cited height is 5 feet 5 inches.
Tattoos
Ella Purnell is known for her extensive collection of tattoos, which she has described as being “covered from head to toe.” However, specific details about the individual tattoos and their meanings are not widely documented in public sources.
Nevertheless, Ella has a Star Tattoo: One of her prominent tattoos is a minimalist star design. This tattoo often symbolizes guidance, hope, and inspiration, reflecting a desire to reach for one’s dreams.
Matching Tattoos with Her Mother: In a notable instance, Purnell and her mother got matching tattoos together. This experience not only signifies a deep bond between them but also highlights the transformative nature of their relationship regarding body art. Initially opposed to tattoos, her mother became so inspired by Ella’s ink that she developed an enthusiasm for getting tattoos herself
General Insights on Ella Purnell’s Tattoos
Coverage: Purnell’s tattoos are significant enough that they posed a challenge for the makeup department during the filming of the Amazon series Fallout, where her character was not supposed to have any visible tattoos due to her background in an idyllic Vault setting. This led to daily efforts to cover her tattoos, highlighting their prominence
Net Worth
Purnell’s career trajectory reflects a blend of talent, versatility, and strategic decision-making which has attracted a net worth of about $3 million.
Eye Condition
Ella Purnell has drawn attention for her distinctive eye appearance, which some observers have speculated may be linked to a medical condition known as hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease, specifically Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). This condition can cause the eyes to appear more prominent or bulging due to inflammation and swelling behind the eyes.
While some fans have commented on her eyes appearing larger than typical, attributing this to makeup or camera angles, others suggest it may be a result of her health condition24. Purnell herself has not publicly confirmed any specific eye condition but has openly discussed her struggles with mental health, including anxiety and depression, which she has faced since her teenage years.
In summary, while there is speculation regarding the nature of Ella Purnell’s eye appearance, particularly in relation to thyroid issues, she maintains a focus on her overall health and well-being, actively engaging in discussions about mental health awareness.
who is Ella Purnell dating?
She is currently in a relationship with musician Max Bennett Kelly.
how old is Ella Purnell?
28 years.
What is Ella Purnell known for?
The British actress known for her roles in Fallout and Yellowjackets, has garnered attention for her impressive American accent.
Why does Ella Purnell have an American accent?
Purnell attributes her skill to a dialect coach named Coley, who played a significant role in shaping her American accent. She first attempted an American accent at the age of 15 during a film project, where she decided to maintain the accent off-set for three weeks, believing it was what “real actors” do.
How tall is Ella Purnell?
Ella Purnell’s height is reported to be 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) according to multiple sources, including IMDb and Yahoo UK. However, some sources vary slightly, listing her height as 5 feet 6 inches1 or 5 feet 4 inches2. Overall, the most commonly cited height is 5 feet 5 inches.