Eric Purkis

Eric Purkis grew up in central Wisconsin. He left home at the age of 17 to pursue film and video at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. It was here that he also refined his painting, drawing, and sculpting abilities. After taking a course in theater studies he decided to pursue an acting career. Eric was then cast as the lead in Biloxi Blues, portraying Eugene Morris Jerome. It felt right to further studies in acting, and eventually he found a copy of the Truth In Comedy book from a local book store. This book led him to contact Del Close and a new adventure in Chicago, Illinois where he began studying at the Improv Olympic. His improvisational skills grew as did his writing abilities. Finishing all levels the Improv Olympic had to offer he moved on to The Annoyance Theater and The Second City. Still not content he began doing stand up comedy throughout Chicago and the surrounding area. Also he began singing with local Chicago bands, asking for suggestions for the next song, and improvising the lyrics, all fresh, and on the spot. While maintaining a day job at an art supply store to pay the bills and supply his painting and drawing, he lucked into meeting a man who was dropping off information about extra casting for the film Spiderman II. He did an impersonation of Tobey Maguire, the guy was impressed by the likeness and told Eric to come down to the open call a week from the day to see if they could get him a job as a double. All said and done it worked out and he got the job. Eric got a try at living in New York for a month and a half during the shoot, he missed it and moved from L.A. back to the Big Apple, where he currently studies at HB Studio and will soon attend Improv once again at which ever location feels right.