Dominic Purcell‘s son Joseph Purcell isn’t just a fellow actor — he’s also an internet sensation thanks to TikTok’s popular vertical dramas.
Dominic shares four kids with ex-wife Rebecca Williamson, whom he married in 1998. The pair welcomed Joseph in 1999, followed by daughter Audrey in 2001 and twins Augustus and Lily-Rose in 2003. Dominic and Williamson called it quits in 2008, and the Prison Break alum has since tied the knot with Tish Cyrus.
Joseph, for his part, has followed in his father’s footsteps after appearing in the short film Shellbound, which was written by and costars his sister Audrey. To some of Us, Joseph is more familiar because of his role as Hunter in the TikTok short His Nerd.
For those who aren’t aware, many TikTok users have recently found their FYPs flooded with ads for fanfiction-esque shows. From age-gap romances to forbidden love stories, each miniseries feels like a mix between a soap opera and a Lifetime movie. The point of the ads is to drive users to download applications such as ReelShort and DramaBox that host the short shows, which usually last a minute or so per episode and are designed for mobile viewing.
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Along with Joseph’s His Nerd, fans have come across The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband, Love at Dangerous Speeds, How to Tame a Silver Fox and more. Keep scrolling for everything to know about Joseph — and his TikTok short series:
Who Was Joseph Named After?
Dominic appeared to name his first child after his late father.
“For what’s [sic] it’s worth. As a father I believe the greatest gift he can receive from his child is the knowing [sic] he is deeply loved. Deeply respected. Surely a fathers only wish for his child is to grow, flourish and better him,” Dominic wrote via Instagram in April 2024 while mourning his dad’s death. “That was his wish. It came true.”
Dominic paid tribute to his dad through his emotional message, encouraging his own children to “pass on his memory.”
“I know very clearly I can not better him but I can try and be like him. … Watching my dad confront his own mortality was a lesson in courage and dignity,” he continued. “His stoicism in the face of great pain was heroic. A lesson. A last lesson from him to me. From me to my own children.”
Dominic concluded: “Let the bloodline continue in his honor with strength, dignity and above all else. Humility. Let us all be grateful, if not. It is a life not realized.”
Did Joseph Always Want to Become an Actor?
According to a 2018 interview with The Inertia, Dominic’s children weren’t initially interested in the entertainment industry.
“I don’t want my kids to become actors. It’s a very tough business. The acting game has an unemployment rate of 98 percent. I’m one of the lucky ones, not a good example of how brutal the industry actually is,” he noted. “But in saying that, if they really really wanted to do it then I’d support them one million percent. I don’t place restrictions on my kids’ dreams. They are free to be who they want to be. As a father, I simply guide them to be the best versions of themselves.”
Joseph elaborated on stepmom Tish’s podcast in July 2025, saying, “Because of my dad, people would always ask me if I wanted to act, and it was the one thing I never wanted to do. It was the only thing I didn’t want to do ‘cos I was super shy as a kid, and I wanted to be a professional athlete. It didn’t happen till I was 20 that I thought maybe there was a road [in acting].”
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How Has Dominic Supported His Son’s Career?
In January 2025, Dominic took to social media to praise Joseph’s venture into acting, writing via Instagram, “My eldest son Joe. His journey as an actor begins. Very proud of you mate. Your talent, quiet humble nature will get you far. Love Dad.”
Tish, meanwhile, had Joseph on her podcast to spotlight his career (and even gave Us’ article on him a shout-out!). “My favorite thing you ever said to me [was] at the wedding,” Tish said. “He started reading his speech, and he said, ‘I never, ever wanted my dad to get remarried, and then I met Tish.’ I was like, ‘That is the sweetest thing.’”
What Projects Has Joseph Been Cast In?
TikTok users might recognize Joseph for his role as Hunter in the viral miniseries His Nerd. Based on the official synopsis, the show centers around “a robotics whiz and soccer star fake-date to solve personal problems but face bullies, family issues, and criminal connections. Their pretend romance becomes real as they deal with feelings and colliding worlds.”
Joseph plays the lead opposite Amanda Troya in one of the many shorts being recommended via TikTok in addition to Rooming with the Devil, Falling for My Bodyguard, The Bad Boy Wants Me and more.
What Is Known About Joseph’s Personal Life?
Joseph largely remained out of the public eye before his 2025 roles. He now has a social media account with a few professional photos, but Joseph hasn’t done any interviews or spoken out about his experience in Hollywood.
He could potentially appear in more TikTok shorts since many of the actors have taken part in multiple shows on the social media app.
