Biography

Marina Anderson-Carradine is a dual citizen (American-Canadian), multi-hyphenate. A noted actress, voice-over artist, writer, producer, designer makeup artist, teacher acting coach and manager.  For over 35 years, Marina has made a successful life for herself venturing in practically every facet of the entertainment industry in front of and behind the camera.

She was singly responsible via her efforts as personal manager (TGS Management) and publicist, for resurrecting the career of actor David Carradine (her now, ex-husband), which culminated with his being cast in Quentin Tarrantino’s film KILL BILL. It was Marina who befriended and introduced Tarrantino  to Carradine, which ultimately led to his being cast in the film.  During their six years together, her life and career with Carradine has been highly publicized worldwide. It was publicly acknowledged that Marina was the sole motivating factor of his sobriety after many years of alcohol abuse (E! True Hollywood Stories).  Marina combined her skills to rebuild his career as well as to pursue her own.

Also during this time, Marina appeared in fourteen independent feature films (starring and supporting roles). Recently aired: Sex & Mrs. `X' (for Lifetime starring Linda Hamilton), Macon County Jail (stars Ally Sheedy and David Carradine), Kiss Of A Stranger (Mariel Hemmingway), My Little Hollywood (Sylvester and Frank Stallone, Dennis Hopper), Naked Movie (Christian Slater, Tori Spelling), Shepherd and Natural Selection (stars David Carradine, Michael Bowen, Bob Balaban), The Donor (starring Marina), American Reel, Puzzle In The Air, Zoo, Dangerous Curves (Marina co-stars).

Currently,  Marina has had appearances on Ghost Whisperer, Desperate Housewives, , Studio 60,  feature film Licensed To Wed, Rendition, Wild Hogs and co-lead in Sophie Chase, which was nominated for a Daytime EMMY for Outstanding Achievement in  Video Content For Non-Traditional Delivery Platforms (New Media - iPod, Broadband…) in addition to several press articles which include Lulu, her Collie.

Previous credits including  starring and supporting roles in many television shows, feature films, commercials and voice-overs include three films directed by Walter Hill (Brewster's Millions, Johnny Handsome, Crossroads) and 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (which won Canada’s equivalent to the Oscars, directed by The Red Violin  award winning French-Canadian Francois Gerard), Dynasty, Cagney & Lacey, Seinfeld, Amazing Stories, Forever Knight and more.

Marina began her acting and modeling career at age 13, appearing in various commercials and television shows. An Art major at Ulysses S. Grant High School, she later attended Los Angeles Valley College where she became their first female DJ (KLAV). After attaining her Associate Arts degree in Theatre/Cinema, Marina received the ASO scholarship, which allowed her to pursue Journalism and Broadcasting at California State University Northridge and UCLA. As an artist, she sold her Grandma Moses style primitive paintings to various galleries in Southern California and also ran her own basket decorating company (The Basket Lady), selling high-end, one-of-a-kind creations she crafted herself, to famous Hollywood clientele.

Entertainment runs in Marina's family. Her mother (MARIANA DOTTORE, the Sicilian side) was a contract singer for Warner Bros. in the 40's, also Pasadena Civic Light Opera as well as appearing in various noted nightclubs. She is related to famed CARDINAL d'ESTE (Villa d'Este in Italy) and LUCREZIA BORGIA.  Marina’s father (JOSEPH BENJAMIN, Lithuanian descent) was a professional musician, inventor, aerospace engineer and Imagineer for EPCOT/DISNEY. Her father's uncle was film and TV producer, HARRY JOE BROWN (Randolph Scott westerns, classic films such as CPT. BLOOD starring Errol Flynn).  Via Brown, Marina is related to aclaimed actor PETER O'TOOLE and Academy Award winning lyricist, RAY EVANS (Mona Lisa, Que Sera Sera, Silver Bells, Mr. Ed and Bonanza themes). Marina has one older brother, Daniel who is also a professional musician as well as a computer programmer and analyst. He is happily married to Maggie Lew (Benjamin), a real estate investor born in Hong Kong).

In 1990, Marina returned to acting and moved to Toronto, Canada, where she received her dual citizenship, wrote and developed comedy projects as well as guest starred in many Canadian-American TV and film projects. It was there in Toronto, where Marina had recurring guest star roles on the show KUNG FU, THE LEGEND CONTINUES, where she met Carradine (1992). They did not start their relationship until 1995.

Marina enjoyed working on the other side of the camera for over 15 years "at practically every studio in town in just about every capacity from production assistant to Executive Assistant of company's CEO's to producing". In the 70s, Marina co-owned American Biograph Production Company, where she held the position VP of Production and was the youngest producer at that time to join the Academy of TV Arts and Sciences. The company produced commercials and live-action promotions for record companies such as Motown and Warner Bros.

Freelancing in other areas, Marina has held the positions of: Script Analyst for ShowTime/Viacom, makeup artist (specializing in glamour makeovers, personal makeup artist to Yoko Ono), Director of Publicity for various companies, freelance journalist and screenwriter. to owning her own basket decorating company (The Basket Lady) which sold hand-painted and porcelain one-of-a-kind creations across the country and Canada. She has worked as Director of Publicity for various companies and publications and as a modeling and acting teacher (John Casablancas/Elite, John Robert Powers, Sutherland Models (Canada), Film Actors Lab).

Originally trained in theatre, Marina has performed leads in over twenty productions and touring companies including Taming Of The Shrew, Twelfth Night, Butterflies Are Free, My Fair Lady and Company.  Marina has also hosted her own roving reporter on-the-town interview show for WCCO radio Minneapolis.

Dividing her time between Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles, Marina is currently writing her autobiography, a spiritual journey that takes us to, through and beyond her publicized marriage and divorce to Carradine.  To add to her schedule, Marina has her own jewelry line -- The Flying Goddess™ which has been covered in the media and is in the possession of celebrities such as: Shirley MacLaine, Fran Drescher, Dr. Maya Angelou, Jillie Mack (Mrs. Tom Selleck) and Jan (Mrs. Mickey) Rooney.

Marina is also developing film projects, paints, sculpts and has an active acting career. She enjoys playing guitar, singing, dancing, horseback riding, jet skiing, golf and bowling!  An owner of a Collie, Lulu (who is Lassie IX’s sister and a Ralph Lauren Model) and four cats, Marina actively supports animal and children's rights groups (American Oceans, World Wildlife Foundation, PETA. MADD, ASPCA, Children Uniting Nations, LA Family Housing, to name a few).

Currently airing in syndication is Marina’s interview for E! Entertainment Channel Special – “Hollywood Wives Tales” and celebrity psychic reading on “Crossing Over With John Edward”.