Linda Anne Gilbert, often known as Linda Gilbert or Linda Carradine, is an American actress with a noteworthy daughter and two famous entertainers. She was born in the US on March 16, 1950, and has spent most of her life in the background. Although her marriages to Roger McGuinn and David Carradine made her famous, Linda seems to have enjoyed a quieter life.
Her acting credits are restricted to modest, supporting roles under numerous aliases. Her daughter Kansas Carradine, an equestrian, trick rider, stunt performer, instructor, and advocate, is her longest-lasting public connection. Linda’s family journey continues through Kansas with horses, worldwide performance, emotional recovery, and unique schooling.
Linda Anne Gilbert’s Early Life and Public Identity
Little is known about Linda Anne Gilbert’s childhood, education, parents, or siblings. She did not have a major public career or constant media presence like many Hollywood figures. Biographical gaps are part of her story. Linda is mostly unknown, except in her prior husbands’ and daughter’s profiles.
Some stories of Kansas Carradine’s maternal Native American lineage mention Cree heritage from an Oklahoma reservation grandmother. She moved to Texas and Southern California, supposedly. There is no comprehensive genealogy of Linda’s familial line.
Linda’s public identity is therefore shaped less by extensive interviews or personal memoirs and more by the relationships that placed her near several creative worlds: folk rock, television drama, film, and the Carradine acting dynasty.
Marriage to Roger McGuinn
Linda married Roger McGuinn in November 1971. McGuinn, born James Joseph McGuinn III in 1942, was the lead singer and guitarist of The Byrds, one of the influential groups in American folk rock. The band became known for songs such as “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”
Their marriage began during a period when McGuinn was already an established musician. The couple remained together for several years before divorcing in June 1975. They had no children together.
Camilla and McGuinn married in 1978. His sons from a previous marriage are Patrick and Henry McGuinn. Linda’s brief but significant relationship with McGuinn reflects the 1960s and 1970s’ folk, rock, and counterculture music revolution.
Marriage to David Carradine
In February 1977, Linda married actor David Carradine in a civil ceremony in Munich, Germany. The ceremony took place after Carradine worked on the film The Serpent’s Egg. David Carradine was already a familiar face to international audiences, particularly through the television series Kung Fu. He later gained renewed attention through films such as Kill Bill.
David was part of the extensive Carradine acting family. His father was actor John Carradine, and his half brothers included Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine. He also had children from earlier relationships, including Calista Carradine and Tom, also known as Free, Carradine.
Linda and David had one child together, a daughter named Kansas Anne Carradine. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1983. Although the relationship lasted only several years, it connected Linda to one of the most recognizable acting families in American entertainment.
Linda’s Acting Career
Linda Anne Gilbert’s acting career appears to have been modest and intermittent. She used both Linda Gilbert and Linda Carradine professionally, which may account for some of the difficulty in tracing her credits.
Her known screen appearances include the following:
| Year | Project | Role or credit |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Q: The Winged Serpent | Shepard’s Wife, uncredited |
| 1994 | Rockwell | Mrs. Neff, Mary Ann’s mother |
| Later listing | Mata Hari related credit | French student and later self credit |
These jobs reflect a part-time performer rather than a main actress. She is not known for major prizes, breakout performances, or long-running television appearances. Her screen job was a minor portion of a life that mixed entertaining with other things.
Kansas Carradine and the Family’s Equestrian Legacy
Los Angeles-born Kansas Anne Carradine was born April 19, 1978. She lives differently from her mother, who was more secretive. Kansas was a trick rider, Roman rider, roper, stunt performer, horse trainer, educator, and equine guided practitioner. She is known as “Circus Cowgirl.”
Kansas has described growing up around horses and feeling drawn to them from an early age. Around age 11, after attending a summer program at Riata Ranch in California, she became deeply involved in professional equestrian training. She stayed with the ranch’s founders, Tom and Vicky Maier, for several years and has described them as important parental figures.
Kansas learned trick riding, trick roping, Roman riding, liberty work, and performance choreography at Riata Ranch. Her live performances began soon after. Her employment led her to rodeos, sports, equestrian shows, and worldwide places. She performed with Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls in Australia, France, Mexico, Spain, and Norway.
Her performances required strength, balance, timing, and unparalleled horse-rider confidence. Some drama occurred during a 1999 Australian concert. Kansas damaged her nose but continued a trick after a horse swapped leads. A rider wounded midperformance completes the movement as the show proceeds around her appears cinematic.
The Cavalia Years
In 2004, Kansas joined Cavalia, a large theatrical equestrian production created by a cofounder of Cirque du Soleil. The show combined live music, stage design, acrobatics, theatrical storytelling, and highly trained horses.
Kansas performed on five continents with Cavalia for almost a decade. She excelled at trick riding, Roman riding, lassoing, and riding numerous horses. Her duties stretched beyond performing. She bought, trained, and rehabilitated horses for rigorous theatre work.
Kansas met Alain Gauthier in equestrian performance. With Cavalia and Cirque ties, Gauthier choreographed and directed. Kuwaleah and Phoenix (also Phoenix Rose) Carradine Gauthier are their daughters from their 2004 marriage.
The family traveled extensively through the performance world. Kansas has also spoken about homeschooling her daughters and incorporating horses, travel, and practical learning into their lives.
Kansas Carradine’s Work Beyond Performance
Kansas eventually developed a teaching and coaching practice centered on the emotional relationship between people and horses. Her work includes equine guided education, HeartMath training, liberty riding, bridleless riding, confidence building, trail skills, and trick riding fundamentals.
She portrays horses as sensitive collaborators, not tools. Her focus is present, breathing, emotional management, and nonverbal communication. This approach sees horses as living mirrors. Calm attention builds trust, but anxiety, impatience, and bewilderment might show in the animal’s response.
Kansas has taught youth, adult, charitable, and community clinics. She worked with Compton Cowboys and Compton Junior Equestrian programs. She cares about animal welfare, emotional well-being, youth development, and horse access for underserved populations.
The Gaucho Derby, a Patagonia endurance race, was Kansas’ 2024 entry. Racing hundreds of kilometres through harsh terrain, changing horses at specific points, negotiating wildness, and managing weariness. She rode seven horses for nine days. Her life with horses taught her that endurance requires athleticism, communication, and trust.
Linda Gilbert as a Grandmother
Kansas gave Linda Anne Gilbert two kids, Kuwaleah and Phoenix. Few details about the girls are public, reflecting the family’s secrecy. They were involved in their mother’s equestrian lifestyle, worldwide travel, performance, and homeschooling.
The family has performed and created for generations. Linda liked folk rock and films. David Carradine’s family was famous actors. Kansas went from entertainment to horses, physical performance, education, and healing. Ranches, arenas, and wilderness routes are in the family tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Linda Anne Gilbert?
Linda Anne Gilbert is an American actress born on March 16, 1950. She is also known as Linda Gilbert and Linda Carradine. She is best known publicly for her marriages to Roger McGuinn and David Carradine and for being the mother of Kansas Carradine.
Was Linda Anne Gilbert married to Roger McGuinn?
Yes. Linda married Roger McGuinn of The Byrds in November 1971. They divorced in June 1975 and had no children together.
Was Linda Anne Gilbert married to David Carradine?
Yes. Linda and David Carradine married in February 1977 in Munich, Germany. They divorced in 1983 and had one daughter, Kansas Anne Carradine.
What movies did Linda Carradine appear in?
Her credited or associated acting work includes Q: The Winged Serpent in 1982, Rockwell in 1994, and listings connected to Mata Hari. Some of her work was performed under the name Linda Gilbert, while other credits used Linda Carradine.
Who is Kansas Carradine?
Kansas Carradine is Linda Gilbert’s daughter and David Carradine’s daughter. She is a professional trick rider, Roman rider, roper, stunt performer, horse trainer, HeartMath Certified Trainer, and equine guided educator.
Who is Kansas Carradine’s husband?
Kansas Carradine is married to Alain Gauthier, a choreographer and director associated with major equestrian theatrical productions. They married in 2004 and have two daughters.
Does Linda Anne Gilbert have a public net worth?
No verified public financial information establishes Linda Anne Gilbert’s net worth, current income, investments, or business activities. She has maintained a low public profile for many years.
What is Linda Anne Gilbert doing now?
Specific details about Linda’s current life are not widely publicized. Most recent public attention has centered on her daughter Kansas Carradine and the family’s equestrian work rather than on Linda’s own activities.
