Despite having grown up in a "not so together family," Keith Carradine and his brothers not only made an indelible mark in Hollywood, leading extraordinary careers in the entertainment industry, but they also developed an unbreakable bond.
Longtime actor Keith Carradine is one of six siblings, all brothers, five of whom were born to the late Hollywood heavyweight John Carradine. In the early years of their careers, the Carradine brothers collaborated on a few productions on screen and Broadway, linking their jobs for decades to come.
Although their careers were nothing short of notable, their early family life was not so glamorous or ordinary. At one point in his upbringing, Keith became estranged from his mother as a child while his dad struggled to care for him and his siblings.
A private portrait of David Carradine & Keith Carradine | Source: Getty Images
Yet, despite those predicaments, nothing stood in the way of a bond between himself and his brothers. Neither of them harbored resentment toward another even when considered for the same roles. The Carradine brothers, late and alive, always cheered each other on.
Keith Carradine's Childhood Was Not an Easy One
Keith drew his first breath in San Meteo, California, on August 8, 1949. He was born to his father's second wife, actress Sonia Sorel, whom the late star had married in March 1945. Keith was the fourth of his father's sons, as his parents first welcomed his brother, Chris Carradine, in January 1947.
His dad also had two sons, David and Bruce Carradine, from a previous marriage. Five years later, Sonia and John completed their family with Keith's younger sibling, Robert "Bobby" Carradine, in 1954; however, the couple divorced in 1957.
John Carradine (C) is pictured as he holds a reunion with his family to celebrate his 68th birthday | Source: Getty Images
The year before Robert's arrival, in 1953, Keith's mother had welcomed another son, Michael Bowen Jr, after conceiving him in an extra-marital affair with the late counterculture activist Michael Bowen. The same year she divorced Keith's father, she married Michael.
Following his parents' separation, Keith's upbringing had its challenges. He sat down with the New York Times in 1977 to talk about his formative years and early family life, saying it had its "weirdness." He revealed that he became estranged from his mother as a child, as he explained:
"It was not the most together of families. My parents were divorced when I was 6, and didn't see my mother from the age of 8 through 16; she was not your everyday mother, she was a little ahead of her time."
David Carradine (L) and Keith Carradine are pictured at the premiere of 'Life and Times of Xavier Hollander' on an unspecified date in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Keith added that, after her exit from his life, more "rough times" lay ahead. His father declared bankruptcy in 1960, and although the world thought him rich, Keith acknowledged that John worked hard to provide for him and his brothers.
He only met his older half-brother, David, when he was 17, as the two grew up in different places and with other families. However, after their first encounter, they developed a close relationship. And despite being considered for the same roles, the two had no rivalry.
They were once up for the same part in the film "Bound for Glory." Although David won the role, Keith was proud of his older brother's performance. He thought, "no one could have done it better."
Keith Carradine is pictured in 1973 in Madrid, Spain | Source: Getty Images
Keith Carradine's Full Siblings Are Also Associated with the Film Industry
Keith's brother, Chris, led a decades-long career in architecture, establishing his own firm, Christopher Carradine Architect, in 1979. Chris never became an actor, but he applied his expertise elsewhere in the entertainment industry.
He was the Vice President and Executive Concept Architect at Walt Disney Imagineering between October 1980 and 2009. His first wife was Candice Lee Corvi, who he married from 1974 to 1978.
Chris tied the knot with Carrolyn Carradine the following year, and the couple welcomed three children. He maintained a loving relationship with Keith and Robert, as he revealed in a 2019 interview with The Malibu Times. The three still go on couples' vacations with their wives.
John Carradine is pictured with his children Chris, Keith, Bruce, Mike, Robert and, David following a concert at the Wiltshre-Ebell Theatre in January 1979, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Robert became an actor, like Keith, but also went on to direct and produce. He's best known for his roles in "The Lizzy McGuire Movie," starring Hilary Duff, 1984's "Revenge of the Nerds," 1996's "Escape From L.A.," led by Steve Buscemi and Kurt Russell, and "Ghost of Mars."
Among his most recent credits are the films "The Marshal," "American Christmas" (2019), and "High Holiday" (2020). Robert married Edith "Edie" Mani in 1990, but the couple ended their union in 2018. They shared two children.
Robert Carradine and Keith Carradine are pictured at the U.S. premiere screening of "Dead For A Dollar" at Directors Guild of America on September 28, 2022, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Keith Carradine's Career Was Closely Related to That of His Brother
Keith's brother, David, was also an actor, best known for his role as Bill in "Kill Bill Vol. 2" opposite Uma Thurman. He also appeared in 1975's "Death Race 2000" and in 2007's "Big Stan" with Rob Schneider.
David has been associated with Keith's career since its inception, and it was through his pursuit of acting that Keith ended up joining him. Keith became enamored with the world of performance after watching the Broadway production, "Hair," in Los Angeles.
He'd recently dropped out of college, and as auditions were held for replacement roles around the country, he accompanied David and his friend, Jeff Cooper, to go and try for the parts of Claude and Berger. As they went in, Keith remained and played the piano that was lying around while he waited.
David Carradine is pictured as he arrives at a special screening of The Weinstein Company's "Hell Ride" at the Egyptian Theater on July 31, 2008, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
When the writers of "Hair" heard him play, they asked if he could sing. Keith returned the following day and performed a song for them, landing his first acting role and never looking back. Unfortunately, David passed away in Bangkok in what first appeared to be suicide in 2009.
However, as Keith and Robert revealed in an official video announcement, the results of the second autopsy indicated that it wasn't suicide. The brothers assured fans and supporters of their family that the investigation into the events surrounding their brother's death was ongoing.
They added that the final details would be shared after it was concluded. The eldest Carradine brother was Bruce, born in 1933, who also died in 2016. Bruce was also an actor, though he was less active in the industry than his brothers.
Following David's death, Bruce sat down with US Weekly, where he spoke fondly of his late brother. He remembered David as someone who fiercely guarded his beliefs and didn't always want to follow the conventional.
Keith Carradine's Brother Starred in 'Breaking Bad'
Keith's youngest brother, Michael Bowen Jr., is known for his devout dedication to the emotional, psychological, and physical portrayal of his characters. Having starred in the acclaimed crime show, "Breaking Bad," opposite Dean Norris, most fans didn't recognize the actor from his former roles in "Kill Bill" and "Valley Girl."
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