David Carradine

Photo of David Carradine

Biography

A leading and supporting player in television and movies, actor David Carradine rose to fame with his iconic role, Kwai Chang Caine, the half-Asian student of life on the popular TV series, "Kung Fu" (ABC, 1972-75), a role he would go on to reprise for a syndicated series in the late 1990s. The son of legendary actor John Carradine, he excelled at playing villains in action and terror films which, unfortunately, were often relegated to the …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Editor, Music

Born

John Arthur Carradine on December 8, 1936 in Hollywood, California, USA

Career Milestones

2008

Starred in the original movie miniseries, "Kung Fu Killer" (Spike)

2007

Co-starred with James Franco and Sienna Miller in "Camille"

2007

Had a small role in the comedy spoof, "Epic Movie"

2004

Hosted "Wild West Tech" on the History Channel

2004

Reprised role of Bill for Tarantino's "Kill Bill Vol.2"

2003

Had a recurring role as Conrad on the ABC series, "Alias"

2003

Cast as the assassin leader Bill in writer-director Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill, Vol. 1"; earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor

2000

Guested as Andrew Weller on the second season of the legal drama "Family Law" (CBS)

1997

Received star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (April)

1997

Co-starred with Ally Sheedy in "Macon County Jail"

1993

Reprised role of Caine in syndicated series, "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues"

1990

Appeared in "Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat"

1987

Portrayed an evil German soldier in "The Misfit Brigade/Wheels of Terror"

1985

Miniseries debut, "North and South" (ABC)

1983

Second directing effort, "Americana"

1982

Played the villain tracked by Chuck Norris in "Lone Wolf McQuade"

1979

Starred in the TV-movie "Mr. Horn" (CBS)

1977

Began directing the unfinished film, "Mata Hari"

1976

Played Woody Guthrie in "Bound for Glory"

1975

Film directing debut "You and Me" (also scripted and co-starred)

1973

Had memorable bit part in "Mean Streets"

1972

Starred as Caine in the ABC drama series, "Kung Fu"; also directed several episodes

1972

First worked with Martin Scorsese on "Boxcar Bertha"

1971

TV-movie debut, "Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring" (ABC)

1966

Made series debut in the ABC Western, "Shane"

1965

Appeared on Broadway in "The Royal Hunt of the Sun"

1964

First episodic work, "Arrest and Trial" (ABC)

1964

First film appearance (in bit part) "Taggart"

1963

Broadway debut, "The Deputy"

Put under contract by Universal

Served in the US Army

Raised in New York City

Awards

2004

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in Kill Bill Vol. 2

1985

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in North and South

1976

National Board of Review Award for Best Actor in Bound For Glory

1976

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama in Bound For Glory

1973

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama in Kung Fu

1973

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Continued Performance By an Actor In a Leading in Kung Fu