BREAKING: David Carradine Found Dead in Bangkok
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom, Newsstand
Actor David Carradine has been found dead in a Bangkok hotel room, according to multiple news reports. BBC News says that he was in Thailand filming his latest movie, Stretch. He was 72.
The eldest son of character actor John Carradine made more than 200 appearances in films and television shows, first rising to prominence with his starring role as Caine in the TV series Kung Fu. At the time, me and my friends thought he was the coolest thing on the planet: he sought peace with everyone he encountered, yet could quickly put down any opposition that arose simply by using his hands and feet (and head). Later I caught up with his 70s film work: a union leader in Martin Scorsese's Boxcar Bertha, laconic race car driver Frankenstein in Paul Bartel's Death Race 2000, and, especially, his embodiment of folk singer Woody Guthrie in Hal Ashby's Bound for Glory.
More recently he starred with Uma Thurman in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill movies, which were widely viewed as a "comeback" for him, but, really, he never went away. He had a trio of very solid performances in the early 80s: as Paul Gaugin in the TV movie Gaugin the Savage; as Cole Younger, an outlaw trying to hold his family together in Walter Hill's The Long Riders; and as a police detective tracking down a flying serpent run amuck in Manhattan in Larry Cohen's Q.
Even as his resume became filled with more and more television work and direct to video movies during the late 80s and into the 90s, he maintained an edge to the characters he played and, where appropriate, a spirited air of bemusement, as in the ill-advised revival of his most famous character during the mid-90s with Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. When Tarantino finally gave him a chance to shine, he showed that he had lost none of his creepy, elegant splendor, his ability to sneer and smile at the same time.
By all rights, the Kill Bill films should have led to more juicy roles in major productions, but Hollywood doesn't really know what to do with actors who age gracefully yet are clearly not young anymore. He's made more than 40 appearances since Kill Bill - how many have you seen? He snared a small part in Crank: High Voltage, which is exactly the sort of crazed B-movie in which he once starred.
Rumors about Carradine's cause of death have already been floated, but I'd prefer to remember him on the screen, as Caine in Kung Fu: with his arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture -- with just a touch of menace in reserve. (See the clip embedded below. A bit low-quality, but you get the idea.)
Our condolences to his family and friends. Feel free to share your memories of David Carradine.
'Big Top Pee-Wee': The Original Benicio Del Toro Wolfman
Spin-ematical: New on DVD and Blu-ray for 2/9
Watch This: Brilliant Oscar-Nominated Short 'Logorama'
Chris Nolan to Lead 'Superman' Reboot!?
Tim Robbins Joins 'The Green Lantern'
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-04-2009 @ 10:27AM
Mr. R said...
He was cult of personality itself. So sad.
I just hope he didn't have claw marks on his chest...
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 10:47AM
j said...
I hope he went down fighting. I will miss him.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 11:04AM
Kathryn said...
Thanks for the article - it was focused on the person and not on the speculation. I really enjoyed reading it.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 11:08AM
Eric said...
I grew up watching Kung Fu. Now he's snatching pebbles in heaven. RIP Grasshopper you will be missed.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 11:20AM
warbringerdoom said...
I hope he was at least killed by a Honzo sword cause...... THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF HER GETTING THE FRICKIN' THING!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 11:52AM
cablebfg said...
I am utterly shocked. He was still so lively. I grew up watching re-runs of Kung Fu and will never forget him. RIP.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 3:03PM
komal said...
I watch the death race movie he's doing well work.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 1:00PM
ErmengardeTenderstone said...
I'm heartbroken, I adored this man both as an actor and for his spiritual pursuits. He's one person I'd like to have met in this life. I had the honor of knowing actor Khigh Dhiegh, who played WoFat on Hawaii Five-O and also played on Kung Fu. Khigh was a Taoist, and I admired both of them for their craft and their spirituality.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 12:36PM
ML said...
I will always remember him fondly, as I do the entire Carradine family.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 12:59PM
LB said...
Such a talented man; ahead of his time with Kung Fu. His work in all his films showed confidence and authenticity, as well as an insightful interpretation of his characters that made him a joy to watch. I thought he had a child by Barbara Hershey, am I wrong? He had a rare presence, a truly unique individual. I hope he understood that. Damn it. What happened?
Reply
7-08-2009 @ 5:29PM
Cartoon Slinger said...
Sad to hear it. He was a great actor and will be missed.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 3:32PM
Dan said...
Damn. It hurts when we start losing guys like this. I remember watching Kung Fu growing up as well. Carradine was the man. May he rest in peace.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 1:30PM
ErmengardeTenderstone said...
I like that! Grasshopper snatching pebbles in heaven, I'm sad for myself but happy for him being at rest. And if he's reincarnated, I know he'll have a blessed life and do wonderful things. His martial arts skills were accomplished, and he was my idea of handsome, unlike so many "pretty-faced" actors these days who seem like they are manufactured.
My favorite role of his besides Kung Fu (which helped lead me on a spiritual path in life) was Circle of Iron, for the martial arts but even more for the philosophical message.
RIP Grasshopper!! We'll miss you.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 1:49PM
blacc said...
David Carradine, star of the 1970s television series "Kung Fu." has been found dead in a Bangkok hotel room.
Read more and see a movie about his life here:http://malecafe.net/video/index.php?q=David-CarradineDavid Carradine-film
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 2:03PM
Mr. R said...
Just read he hung himself...ugh, I am so sad. So long, master!
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 2:16PM
Marie said...
I don't believe it. Unless he was diagnosed recently with Cancer and did not want to face the kind of physical deterior ation under the public eye caused by chemo and cancer treatments I guess we will never know.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 3:08PM
Nadir said...
his kung-fu character looked real. i thought david was like caine in real life. he seemed at peace with himself and with the world. i loved every character he played, most of all caine. Rest in peace David.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 3:51PM
laura said...
auto-erotic asphyxiation.
Reply
6-04-2009 @ 7:11PM
Bubbameister33 said...
That's fucked up but damn was it funny.
6-04-2009 @ 3:57PM
Lucy MacDonald said...
I adored David carradine! He was one of the few people on earth that I admired. If it is true what is said about the circumstances of his death, why? He had so much talent. Why could he not allow himself to die with honor and be remembered as such?
Ironically, David Carradine appeared to me once in a dream not long ago. He appeared as a teacher and taught me a valuable lesson about responsibility. Not only that, but he dies on my birthday in exactly the same manner as I had died in a past life. I wish I had met him in life. His soul will not be at peace if the rumors are true.
Reply