American actor David Carradine was born on December 8, 1936 in Hollywood California. He is the eldest son of the legendary actor John Carradine. He attended the San Francisco State College and studied music theory and composition. His passion for the stage arose when he wrote music for the school’s Drama Department. He then joined a Shakespearean repertory company to learn the craft. He then worked as an actor on stage, as well as appearing on film and television.
David Carradine has had a number of television roles, appearing in East Side/West Side and Wagon Train in 1963. He is best known for playing Kwai Chang Caine on the series Kung Fu, a role he reprised in the sequels during the 1980s and 1990s. He also found fame on Broadway, appearing alongside Christopher Plummer in The Deputy and The Royal Hunt of the Sun. He then landed the title role in the 1966 series Shane, and was then chosen to play “Big” Bill Shelley in the Martin Scorsese film Boxcar Bertha. He was next cast as Woody Guthrie in 1976’s Bound for Glory. For his portrayal, he received the Best Actor Award from the National Board of Film Review as well as a Golden Globe nomination. He was also well-received for his performance in The Long Riders and 1983’s Americana. His next Golden Globe nomination came when he was given a supporting role in North and South. Carradine was also noted for his roles in Mean Streets, Ingmar Bergman’s The Serpent’s Egg and 1990’s Bird on a Wire.
He has also portrayed a demon on the hit television series Charmed, and has also appeared on Alias. He was also featured in the show Lizzie McGuire, and has provided voices for characters on Danny Phantom, King of the Hill and Jackie Chan Adventures. David Carradine has also returned to the big screen with a remarkable performance in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 in 2003 and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 in 2004. His portrayal of the title character earned him his fourth Golden Globe nomination.