Charlie Carlson

Charlie Carl Carlson, Jr. (December 31, 1943 – August 30, 2015), was an American author, novelist, actor, and film producer. Known as "Florida's Man in Black",[1] or "Master of the Weird", Carlson specialized in the paranormal, strange events and places, and many historical books. Carlson also produced and acted in radio shows and movie productions related the genre.

Charlie Carlson
BornCharlie Carl Carlson, Jr.
(1943-12-31)December 31, 1943
Sanford, Florida, US
DiedAugust 30, 2015(2015-08-30) (aged 71)
Sanford, Florida, US
OccupationActor, producer, writer, novelist
Years active1999-2015
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Command Sergeant Major
Unit11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsLegion of Merit

Military service and early career

Charlie Carlson joined the US Army and spent two tours in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) and after twenty-five years retired as a Command Sergeant Major. He earned several decorations including the United States Legion of Merit. After retirement, Carlson went on to become a showman of outdoor attractions, including owning a circus sideshow.

Writing and acting

He began his writing career as author of several Florida history books and the Civil War. In 1997 he began writing about Florida folklore and published the successful book, Strange Florida and, in 1999, portrayed Professor Charles Morehouse on the then-named Sci-Fi Channel's Curse of the Blair Witch. He has produced and appeared in several television documentaries related to Florida history and unexplained phenomena. He was a frequent guest on Florida talk radio and was the author of the 2005 best selling book, Weird Florida and, in 2006, published his first fiction novel, Ashley's Shadow.

He was a contributing writer to Weird Hauntings and Weird Encounters, both by Sterling Publishing.

Current activities

Mr. Carlson lived on the east coast of Florida, and was one of the founding members of the Grand Order of Weird Writers.

In 2008 he was producing an independent film entitled Henry Blackhart Is Dead, by Blue Heron International Pictures [2] about a legendary haunting set on the east coast of Florida during the Great Depression, and was acting in The Cleansing, about a real-life cleansing ceremony in a haunted building. He also produced and was featured among the cast for Hunt For the Devil, a ghost hunting DVD.

In 2010, he became the host of his own PBS television show, Weird Florida: Roads Less Traveled which aired nationally. In 2012 PBS released his new television show, Weird Florida: On the Road Again.

Bibliography
  • When Celery was King
  • I Got my Dress Tail Wet in Soda Water Creek
  • History of Bookertown (Co-writer)
  • First Florida Cavalry Regiment
  • History of Monroe (Co-writer)
  • Strange Florida I
  • Tux and Tales of a Wizard
  • Weird U.S.(Contributing writer)
  • Weird Hauntings (Contributing writer)
  • Weird Encounters (Contributing writer)
  • From Fort Mellon to Baghdad
  • Seminole County's Curious Files
  • Swedish History of Seminole County, FL.
  • Weird Florida
  • Ashley's Shadow
  • Strange Florida II

Filmography

As actor

As narrator or host
  • Night With Johnny Duncan
  • Paranormal Florida
  • PBS Weird Florida: Roads Less Traveled
  • PBS Weird Florida: On The Road Again

As producer
  • Harry Blackheart Is Dead
  • Safe Haven
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References
  1. Referred to as such in a photo for the Hunt For the Devil DVD, here
  2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pangeaworldofweird/2008/03/06/henry-blackheart-is-dead
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