MUSEUM OF MODERN MYTHOLOGY AND POP CULTURE

JOHN CARRADINE

1906-1988. Richmond Reed Carradine was born in New York City. His life changed after seeing Robert Mantell, as Shylock, in a theater production of The Merchant of Venice. "Shakespeare's immortal works are the best training ground for any actor," he frequently advised. Carradine's 1925 acting debut was in a theater production of Camille. In 1929, after his stage success as the wicked Richard III, Carradine formed his own Shakespearean theater company. His film career began in 1930's Tol'able David. "I was a Shakespearean actor," said Carradine, "so naturally they cast me as a hillbilly halfwit." But it was John Ford's 1940 film The Grapes of Wrath, in the role of Casey, that John Carradine was recognized as one of the truly greatest actors of all time.

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