L.M. Kit Carson, a multifaceted Texan writer, actor, and producer, embarked on a career trajectory that was as diverse as it was captivating. Born in Dallas to Louise (Roche) and Minor Lee Carson, his earliest on-screen appearance was in the critically acclaimed David Holzman's Diary (1967),where he played the lead role.
Carson's foray into writing yielded mixed results initially, with films like The Last Word (1979) and Breathless (1983). However, his adaptation of Sam Shepard's Paris, Texas (1982) showcased his remarkable talent, earning widespread acclaim.
The following years saw Carson take on various projects, including the enigmatic The Chinese Box (1986) and associate producing and writing The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986). He returned to acting in 1988, delivering a memorable performance in the acclaimed Running on Empty.
As a family friend of the Wilson brothers, Carson played a pivotal role in championing their short film, Bottle Rocket (1994). His support was instrumental in securing funding for Wes Anderson to develop a full-length feature, which he co-produced.
Throughout his career, Carson's output was marked by his willingness to take risks and explore different genres. He collaborated with his son, Hunter Carson, on several projects, including the drama Hurricane Streets (1997) and the Shakespearean adaptation Midsummer (1997).
Carson reprised his role as David Holzman in Griffin Dunne's mockumentary, Lisa Picard is Famous (2000),and produced and wrote the disasterous film, Bullfighter (2000). His subsequent projects included the behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry, Perfume (2001),the homage to European cinema of the 60s, CQ (2001),and the low-budget thriller Tempo (2003),all set in the City of Light.
