Carl Bradshaw (actor)

Carl Bradshaw
OD
Born
Kingston, Jamaica
Occupation(s)Actor, producer
Years active1972–present

Carl Bradshaw OD is a Jamaican actor and film producer who has been described as "Jamaica's most renowned actor" and "arguably Jamaica's premier actor".

Career

Carl Bradshaw grew up in the Kingston ghetto of Standpipe, and was educated at Excelsior High School.[1] He was a keen actor and athlete as a teenager and his talent won him a scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania.[1] He received a master's degree in Physical Science.[2]

Bradshaw represented Jamaica in the 400m in 1968.[3] He also competed in the 400m hurdles.[3] He went on to take up the role of Head of Physical Education at Excelsior High School, where he was working when he was cast as Jose, one of the lead roles in Perry Henzell's 1973 film The Harder They Come, after initially getting involved as an extra.[1][4] Bradshaw described how the role originated: "When I met Perry, there was no script. He asked me to make up a story for my character, so I gave him a line about some guy who'd owed me money for ages."[4]

Carl Bradshaw appears in Grand Theft Auto IV as the host of Tuff Gong Radio radio station.[citation needed]

He took the lead role of Ringo in the 1976 film Smile Orange, and also had roles on Countryman and Dancehall Queen, which he also co-produced while Director of Operations for Island Entertainment Jamaica.[1][5][6] He went on to act in most of the major Jamaican films, including Third World Cop, One Love, Henzell's second film No Place Like Home, and the 2009 film Wah Do Dem.[7] He played a Jamaican mystic in the 2011 supernatural thriller The Skin.[3][8]

Bradshaw has won several awards for his acting, including the Doctor Bird Award and the Carifesta Film Festival Award of Excellence, and has been described as "Jamaica's most renowned actor" and "arguably Jamaica's premier actor".[1][9] In October 2017 he was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government.[10]

Films

As actor

Television

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Eyes on Carl Bradshaw". Jamaica Star. 23 February 2007. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  2. ^ I.S.L.A., 1976, p. 177
  3. ^ a b c Johnson, Richard (27 July 2012). "Actor represented Jamaica in track and field". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  4. ^ a b Simpson, Dave (20 August 2012). "How we made: songwriter and actor Jimmy Cliff and actor Carl Bradshaw on The Harder They Come". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  5. ^ Meschino, Patricia (19 July 1997). "Dancehall Queen: The Song, The Soundtrack, The Movie". Billboard. p. 65. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  6. ^ Thomas, Polly (2010). The Rough Guide to Jamaica. Rough Guides. p. 83. ISBN 978-1848365131.
  7. ^ "Henzell amazed at success of 'Harder They Come'". Jamaica Gleaner. 20 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 December 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Carl Bradshaw to appear at tomorrow's premiere of The Skin". Antigua Observer. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  9. ^ Black Music & Jazz Review. Vol. 5. IPC. 1982. p. 29. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ Johnson, Richard (17 October 2017). "With Distinction: Arts, entertainment fraternity members honoured at King's House". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2017.