JOHN CARRADINE

February 5, 1906

John Carradine was born Richmond Reed Carradine in New York City. He became one of the most famed character actors in Hollywood history. He was best known for his roles in horror films, Westerns, and Shakespearean theatre. In total, he holds 351 film and television credits, making him one of the most prolific English-speaking actors of all time.

He made his screen debut in 1930, with an uncredited role in Bright Lights directed by Michael Curtiz. 

In 1936, he appeared in Winterset, a film in which Lucille Ball played a small (uncredited) role. 

In 1939, Carradine and Ball were billed as two of the stars of Five Came Back. 

Carradine made one appearance with Lucille Ball on television: “Lucy Goes To Art Class” (TLS S2;E15) on January 13, 1964. Carradine played Lucy and Viv’s art instructor, Professor Guzman. 

“I’ve made some of the greatest films ever made–and a lot of crap, too.” ~ John Carradine

Carradine was married four times, had five children, and was the patriarch of the Carradine family, including four of his sons and four of his grandchildren who are or were also actors.

Carradine died on November 27, 1988 in Milan, Italy, age 82. 

“Milan. What a beautiful place to die.” ~ John Carradine

The last time he was seen on screen was in 1995′s Jack-O, a low budget horror film. Carradine’s scenes were filmed eight years earlier in December 1985. While certainly not the last role he played, it was the last released: 7 years after his death.