Biography for
David Carradine More at IMDb Pro »

Date of Birth

8 December 1936, Hollywood, California, USA

Birth Name

John Arthur Carradine

Height

6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

David Carradine is the eldest son of legendary character actor John Carradine and now presides over an acting family that includes brothers Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine and Michael Bowen as well as his daughter Kansas Carradine and nieces Ever Carradine and Martha Plimpton.

He was born in Hollywood and educated at San Francisco State College, where he studied music theory and composition. It was while writing music for the Drama Department's annual revues that he discovered his own passion for the stage, joining a Shakespearean repertory company and learning his craft on his feet.

After a two-year stint in the army, he found work in New York as a commercial artist and later found fame on Broadway in "The Deputy" and "The Royal Hunt of the Sun" opposite Christopher Plummer. With that experience he returned to Hollywood, landing the short-lived TV series "Shane" (1966) before being tapped to star opposite Barbara Hershey in Martin Scorsese's first Hollywood film, Boxcar Bertha (1972). The iconic "Kung Fu" (1972) followed, catapulting Carradine to superstardom for the next three years, until he left the series to pursue his film career.

That career now includes more than 100 feature films, a couple of dozen television movies, a whole range of theater on and off Broadway, and another hit series, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1992) (TV). Carradine received the Best Actor Award from the National Board of Film Review as well as a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Woody Guthrie in Hal Ashby's Bound for Glory (1976), and won critical acclaim for his work as Cole Younger in The Long Riders (1980). "Kung Fu" also received seven Emmy nominations in its first season, including one for Carradine as Best Actor. In addition he won the People's Prize at the Cannes Film Festival's "Director's Fortnight" for his work on Americana (1983), and a second Golden Globe nomination for his supporting role in "North and South" (1985).

Among his other most notable film credits are Gray Lady Down (1978), Mean Streets (1973), Bird on a Wire (1990), The Long Goodbye (1973), The Serpent's Egg (1977) and Circle of Iron (1978).

He recently returned to the screen in what could be his greatest performance to date, playing the title role in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) (Miramax), for which he received his fourth Golden Globe nomination.

Carradine has also continued his devotion to music, and has recorded some 60 tracks from various musical genres and sung in several movies. He makes his home in Los Angeles with his wife Annie, her four children and their two dogs.

IMDb Mini Biography By: frankfob2@yahoo.com

Spouse

Annie Bierman	(26 December 2004 - present)
Marina Anderson-Carradine	(20 February 1998 - 12 December 2001) (divorced)
Gail Jensen	(4 December 1988 - 1997) (divorced)
Linda Gilbert	(2 February 1977 - 1983) (divorced) 1 child
Donna Lee Becht	(29 December 1960 - 1968) (divorced) 1 child

Trivia

Son of John Carradine; half-brother of Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine and Michael Bowen, brother of Bruce Carradine.

Lived with Barbara Hershey from 1972-75 (she changed her last name to Seagull to during this time). They have a son they named Free Carradine at birth, but who has since changed his name to Tom Carradine.

Convicted of drunk driving in October 1989. Served 48 hours in jail and did community service.

Has a lifelong fascination with Eastern philosphies and culture which resulted in him writing the book "Spirit Of The Shaolin" about the philosophy of Kung Fu.

Uncle of actresses Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine.

Daughter: Calista Carradine (b. 1962).

Daughter: Kansas Carradine (b. 1978).

Began studying the Martial Arts after getting cast in "Kung Fu" (1972).

Studied drama at San Francisco State University.

Was suppose to attended the Armaggeddon Pulp Culture Expo Convention in Wellington, New Zealand, in September 2004 as a special Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) guest but had to pull out at the last minute due to filming commitments.

To date, he is the only actor who has appeared in films directed by Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Quentin Tarantino.

Because of his look, his stint on the TV series "Kung Fu" (1972) and his fascination with Eastern philosophies, people often assume that he is at least part Asian. He isn't.

A great deal of his characters posses lethal martial arts skills. This is a nod to his most famous character, the deadly yet benevolent Kwai Chang Caine in the TV series "Kung Fu" (1972).

Has been a close friend of Larry Cohen since they served together in the military.

Was married to his present wife at the home of Michael Madsen by Vicki Roberts who officiated and pronounced them husband and wife.

He was born in Hollywood, but he was brought up all over the country, mostly by boarding school teachers and reform school wardens.

Personal Quotes

If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.

There's an alternative. There's always a third way, and it's not a combination of the other two ways. It's a different way.

[on his late friend and one-time co-star, Brandon Lee] He was always giving 110%, and it produced a light in the eyes, which is what you look for in movies.

Every day, at least six people will come up to me and say, "Your show ["Kung Fu" (1972)] changed my life".

[reflecting on his lengthy acting career] It's always seemed to me like a mission. A holy one, like the Blues Brothers. It's a marathon. You can't quit; even coming in dead last has honor. Quitting doesn't. Look, I had absolute faith in my future when I was starving in New York and no one believed in me besides me and my girlfriend. I'd be stupid to lose that faith after I've become a fucking icon. Oh, yes. And I love the work.

Where Are They Now

(May 2005) Attended the first ever convention of his career at The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Malmõ, Sweden (7-8 May).

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