Irene Purcell
Irene Mary Purcell (August 7, 1896 – July 9, 1972) was an American film and stage actress, who appeared mostly in comedies, and later married Herbert Fisk Johnson Jr., the wealthy grandson of the founder of S. C. Johnson & Son. Career. She appeared opposite William Haines in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's romantic comedy film "Just a Gigolo" (1931), directed by Jack Conway and adapted from the 1930 play "Dancing Partner", by David Belasco. The same year, she played the lead role in Sam Wood's romantic comedy "The Man in Possession", adapted from H. M. Harwood's play of  the same name. She was paired opposite Reginald Owen and Robert Montgomery. Purcell starred alongside Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante in the comedy "The Passionate Plumber" (1932), directed by Edward Sedgwick. Despite not so favorable reviews, the film was a commercial success. "The New York Times" wrote that Purcell "fits the mood of the comedy nicely". A French-language version of the latter film, "", was filmed by MGM at the same time. She was a part of a June 9, 1935 "Lux Radio Theatre" broadcast, based on the 1930 play "Candle-Light". Her notable Broadway appearances were in Jean Furguson  Black's comedy "Penny Wise" (1937), J. Frank Davis' "The Ladder" (1926), Elmer Harris' comedy "The Great Necker" (1928), Dillard Long's comedy "A Good Woman, Poor Thing" (1933), Lynn Starling's comedy "The First Apple" (1933), Frederic and Fanny Hatton's comedy "Dancing Partner" (1930), and Martin Flavin's "Cross Roads" (1929). She toured Australia with the play "The Women" in 1938-9. Purcell was a trustee of Ripon College and member of Governor's Council on the Arts (Wisconsin). She also served as an adviser to Johnson Foundation. Personal life. On October 4, 1941, she married Herbert Fisk  Johnson Jr., president of S. C. Johnson & Son, at his apartment in Chicago. The couple had met for the first time in 1938 in Australia. Post-marriage they lived at Wingspread designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. She died in Racine, Wisconsin in 1972.