BIO

John Carradine was born Richmond Reed Carradine in New York City, in 1906.   His father was a surgeon and he grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, studying sculpture.   Carradine spent several years as a young man roaming the southern U.S. selling sketches.

He made his acting debut in New Orleans, in 1925, and arrived in Los Angeles in 1927.   He became a protégé and close friend of the actor John Barrymore.

Carradine made his film debut in 1930 for First National Pictures, at the age of 24.   A ubiquitous character actor, he appeared in more than 225 movies during his career and made more than 100 television appearances.   His last film role was in 1990.

Carradine also did considerable stage work, touring with his own Shakespearean company in the 1940s.   He first appeared on Broadway in 1946, at the age of 40, and performed in 10 productions through 1981.

Carradine married four times:

1. Ardanelle McCool, 1935-1941, two children, divorced.   One child was adopted from a previous marriage.   The other became the actor David Carradine. The couple separated after three years.
2. Sonia Sorel, actress 1944-1956, three children, divorced.   Two children became the actors Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine.
3. Doris Rich, actress, 1957 to 1971, widowed. They were separated at the time of her death.
4. Emily Cisneros, 1975-1988.

Carradine died in Milan, Italy, in 1988, at the age of 82.

Additional Broadway stage history is available at:

Additional biographical information is available at:

NOTED FILMS

Complete filmography at:

NOTED FILMS

Matinee Theatre

The Red Skelton Hour