Brad Dourif Biographhy | Marriage, Wife and Tv shows

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<p>Brad Dourif is an American <a href="/biography/brad-dourif">actor</a> best known for his roles in the Child’s Play film series and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. His unique voice and intense performances have made him a prominent figure in the horror genre and beyond.</p>

<h2>Early Life and Education</h2>

<p><a href="/biography/brad-dourif">Bradford Claude Dourif</a> was born on March 18, 1950, in Huntington, West Virginia. He began cultivating an interest in acting early, making an appearance at the Fountain Valley School's Film Festival in 1969. There, he narrowly missed winning in the 8 mm film category with his 10-minute short film titled “Blind Date.” Dourif attended Marshall University for a time, but later left to pursue acting in New York City upon the advice of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchata_Ferrell">actress</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchata_Ferrell">Conchata Ferrell</a>.</p>

<h2>Theater Roots and Professional Training</h2>

<p>Dourif’s acting career began with school productions and later progressed into community theater, joining the Huntington Community Players during his time at Marshall University. In New York, he studied under the influential <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanford_Meisner">acting teacher</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanford_Meisner">Sanford Meisner</a> and worked closely with prominent figures such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_W._Mason">Marshall Mason</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanford_Wilson">playwright</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanford_Wilson">Lanford Wilson</a> at the Circle Repertory Company.</p>

<h2>Breakthrough and Film Success</h2>

<p>His breakthrough role came in 1975 when <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miloš_Forman">director</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miloš_Forman">Miloš Forman</a> cast him as Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The critically acclaimed performance earned Dourif an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, as well as a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award in the same category.</p>

<p>During the 1970s, he appeared in various theatrical productions including The Ghost Sonata, The Doctor in Spite of Himself, and When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? It was through these performances that he garnered attention from industry professionals.</p>

<h2>Horror Icon and the Chucky Franchise</h2>

<p>Dourif is perhaps most widely recognized for voicing the killer doll Chucky in the Child’s Play film series, beginning in 1988. His performance combined menacing tones with dark humor, contributing greatly to the character’s cultural impact. As a horror icon, Dourif’s portrayal became central to the enduring popularity of the franchise, which has achieved cult status among horror fans.</p>

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<h2>Return to the Stage and Recent Work</h2>

<p>After a significant period away from the stage, Dourif returned in 2013 to star alongside <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Plummer">Amanda Plummer</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Williams">Tennessee Williams</a>’ The Two-Character Play. The Off-Broadway production, held at New World Stages, was met with critical acclaim and marked a significant artistic comeback.</p>

<p>In 2019, Dourif appeared in HBO's Deadwood: The Movie, reprising his role as Doc Cochran from the original series. The film garnered a nomination for Outstanding Television Movie at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, highlighting Dourif’s continued relevance in television drama.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Family</h2>

<p>Brad Dourif was previously married to Janet Stephanie in 1980. He has two daughters: one with Janet and another, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona_Dourif">actress</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona_Dourif">Fiona Dourif</a>, with his former partner Joni Dourif. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona_Dourif">Fiona</a> has carved out her own successful acting career, gaining recognition for roles such as Bart Curlish in BBC America’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency and Diane Jones in the miniseries When We Rise. She has also appeared in Showtime’s Shameless and held a recurring role on NBC’s The Blacklist.</p>

<h2>Legacy and Influence</h2>

<p>With a career spanning theater, film, and television, Brad Dourif remains a distinctive and respected actor. Known for his intense, often unsettling characters, his work continues to influence both the horror genre and dramatic storytelling. His contributions to cult classics and acclaimed dramas have secured his place in American cinema history.</p>

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