When you hear the name Carradine, you might picture a certain martial-arts TV series or a Quentin Tarantino film. But Keith Carradine carved his own path—one that led to an Academy Award for a song and a chilling turn on Dexter—while belonging to one of Hollywood’s most sprawling acting dynasties. Here’s how his career and family story fit together.
Born: August 8, 1949 ·
Known for: Nashville, Dexter ·
Award: Academy Award for Best Original Song ·
Family: Carradine acting dynasty
Quick snapshot
- Keith Carradine is alive and active in acting (Wikipedia (Norwegian edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Won Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I’m Easy” (1976) (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Born in San Mateo, California, on August 8, 1949 (IMDb (industry-standard database))
- Exact circumstances of Robert Carradine’s death (if deceased) remain unverified by authoritative sources (Wikipedia (Norwegian edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Complete up-to-date count of living Carradine brothers (Robert’s staus needs confirmation) (Wikipedia (Norwegian edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Full list of Keith’s marriages and children beyond first marriage requires direct confirmation from reliable biographies (Wikipedia (Norwegian edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- 1971: Screen breakthrough in McCabe & Mrs. Miller (Wikipedia (Spanish edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- 1975: Stars in Robert Altman’s Nashville, writes “I’m Easy” (Wikipedia (Spanish edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- 2009: Half-brother David Carradine dies in Bangkok (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Keith continues to work in television (recent credits include Fargo and The Big Bang Theory) (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform))
- Legacy within the Carradine acting dynasty remains a frequent topic in Hollywood retrospectives (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform))
Six key facts, one pattern: Keith Carradine’s life is a blend of personal milestones, artistic achievements, and the weight of a famous surname.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Keith Ian Carradine (Wikipedia (Spanish edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)) |
| Birth date | August 8, 1949 (IMDb (industry-standard database)) |
| Spouse | Married three times, including actress Shelley Plimpton (BroadwayWorld (theatre news site)) |
| Children | Four children, including actress Martha Plimpton (Page Six (celebrity news outlet)) |
| Notable works | Nashville (1975), Welcome to L.A., Pretty Baby, Dexter (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform)) |
| Major award | Academy Award for Best Original Song (1976) (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)) |
Are Keith Carradine and David Carradine brothers?
Yes, they are half-brothers, sharing the same father, actor John Carradine (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform)). They are not twins—David was born in 1936, Keith in 1949. Robert Carradine is also a half-brother to both (Wikipedia (Norwegian edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)).
Are David and Keith Carradine twins?
No. David Carradine was born December 8, 1936; Keith was born August 8, 1949—a 13-year age gap (IMDb (industry-standard database)).
How was Robert Carradine found when he died?
Details about Robert Carradine’s death remain unconfirmed as of early 2025. Multiple biographies mention his passing, but authoritative sources have not published a consistent account (Wikipedia (Norwegian edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)).
The pattern: the family tree is clear, but gaps in Robert’s record show how even famous names can have obscured legacies.
How many Carradine brothers are still alive today?
As of 2025, only Keith Carradine is confirmed alive. David Carradine died in Bangkok on June 3, 2009, at age 72 (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)). Robert Carradine’s death has been reported by several outlets, but the exact date and cause lack official verification (Page Six (celebrity news outlet)).
Is Keith Carradine still alive?
Yes. Keith Carradine is alive and continues to work in film and television (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform)).
For fans tracking the fate of the Carradine brothers, the only survivor currently known with certainty is Keith. The lack of a verified official record for Robert leaves a gap in the family narrative.
The consequence: any discussion of the Carradine brothers must acknowledge the uncertain status of Robert.
What is Keith Carradine best known for?
Keith Carradine is best known for his role as Tom Frank in Robert Altman’s Nashville (1975). He also wrote and performed the song “I’m Easy,” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1976 (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)). Other notable film credits include Welcome to L.A., Pretty Baby, and Thieves Like Us. On television, he played the serial killer’s stepfather in Dexter and appeared in Madam Secretary and Fargo (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform)).
What are Keith Carradine’s most famous movies and TV shows?
Beyond Nashville, his filmography includes McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), Choose Me (1984), and the TV series Deadwood and The Big Bang Theory (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform)).
What award did Keith Carradine win for “I’m Easy”?
He won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and also a Golden Globe in the same category in 1976 (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)).
What this means: his artistic versatility spans music and screen, a rare dual‑talent in Hollywood.
Who is Keith Carradine married to?
Keith Carradine has been married three times. His first wife was actress Shelley Plimpton, with whom he has daughter Martha Plimpton, also an actress (BroadwayWorld (theatre news site)). His later marriages—to a second and third wife—are not as widely documented in English-language sources, but he has a total of four children (Page Six (celebrity news outlet)).
Does Keith Carradine have children?
Yes, he has four children. The most well-known is Martha Plimpton, born from his marriage to Shelley Plimpton (BroadwayWorld (theatre news site)). Names and birth years of the other three are not consistently available in widely cited databases.
The gap in verifiable details about Keith’s later marriages and children highlights a common problem: even well-known public figures can have personal histories that remain opaque when relying on secondary sources.
The implication: Keith’s private life remains partly obscured, even as his public career is well‑documented.
What was the official cause of death of David Carradine?
The official cause of death of David Carradine was accidental asphyxiation due to autoerotic asphyxiation, according to Thai authorities and confirmed by the family’s spokesperson (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)). He was found in a hotel closet in Bangkok on June 3, 2009.
What was David Carradine doing when he died?
At the time of his death, David Carradine was in Bangkok filming a movie called Stretch. He was found in his room at the Swissôtel Nai Lert Park Hotel (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)).
The pattern: this tragic event cemented a controversial chapter in the Carradine family history.
Three brothers, three distinct paths—here’s how their lives compare side by side.
| Detail | Keith Carradine | David Carradine | Robert Carradine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | August 8, 1949 | December 8, 1936 | March 24, 1954 |
| Died | — (still alive) | June 3, 2009 (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia)) | Reported deceased, date unverified (Page Six (celebrity news outlet)) |
| Known for | Nashville, Dexter | Kung Fu, Kill Bill | Revenge of the Nerds |
| Notable award | Academy Award (1976) | Primetime Emmy nomination (1974) | — |
| Father | John Carradine (actor) | ||
Confirmed facts
- Keith Carradine is alive and active. (Yahoo Enterainment (news and entertainment platform))
- David Carradine died in 2009 from accidential asphyxiation. (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Keith won an Academy Award for “I’m Easy.” (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Keith and David are half‑brothers. (Wikipedia (Spanish edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
What’s unclear
- Exact circumstances of Robert Carradine’s death
- Current number of living Carradine brothers (Roberts status unverified)
- Complete list of Keith Carradine’s marriages and children beyond the first
The implication for fans and genealogists is clear: the Carradine family story is still being written, with Keith as the sole living reminder of a dynasty that spans generations. For anyone researching the Carradine brothers, the priority should be to consult official records—especially for Robert’s death—rather than relying on celebrity gossip sites, or risk perpetuating incomplete narratives.
pl.wikipedia.org, news.amomama.com, reddit.com, mensjournal.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Keith Carradine’s birth name?
Keith Ian Carradine (Wikipedia (English edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
How many children does Keith Carradine have?
He has four children (Page Six (celebrity news outlet))
What was Keith Carradine’s first acting role?
His screen breakthrough came with McCabe & Mrs. Miller in 1971 (Wikipedia (Spanish edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
Did Keith Carradine appear on Broadway?
Yes, his Broadway credits include The Will Rogers Follies and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (BroadwayWorld (theatre news site))
What is Keith Carradine’s net worth?
Estimated between $5 million and $10 million, though exact figures are not publicly audited.
What is Keith Carradine’s height?
He stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) (IMDb (industry-standard database))
Are Keith and David Carradine full brothers?
No, they are half‑brothers sharing the same father, John Carradine (Yahoo Entertainment (news and entertainment platform))
Multiple sources report his death, but a verified official record is not publicly available, so his status remains unclear (Wikipedia (Norwegian edition) (community-edited encyclopedia))
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.