John Carradine, the son of a reporter/artist and a surgeon, was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York. He attended Christ Church School, where he was educated in the traditional sense, and later Graphic Art School, where he honed his skills in sculpture. Following his studies, he embarked on a journey through the South, selling his sketches to make a living.
In 1925, Carradine made his acting debut in the theatre production of "Camille" in New Orleans. Two years later, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he worked tirelessly in local theatre productions. He applied for a job as a scenic designer with the renowned director Cecil B. DeMille, but despite his rejection, DeMille did offer him voice work in several films.
Carradine's on-screen debut came in 1930 with the film "Tol'able David," where he was billed as Peter Richmond. He soon became a protégé and close friend of the legendary actor John Barrymore, with whom he maintained a close relationship throughout his career.
As a film character actor, Carradine was incredibly prolific, appearing in a wide range of roles. Simultaneously, he continued to work on stage, taking on classic leading roles such as Hamlet and Malvolio. In his later years, he became typecast as a horror star, appearing in numerous low- and ultra-low-budget horror films.
Carradine was also a member of the esteemed group of actors often used by director John Ford, which came to be known as "The John Ford Stock Company." He passed away at the age of 82 on November 27, 1988, due to natural causes.
