Actor David Carradine, best-known for his role in the 70’s TV series, “Kung-Fu,” has passed away at the age of 72. Carradine was found in a hotel-room in Bangkok hanged and is believed to have committed suicide according to the Associated Press.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, Michael Turner, confirmed the death of the 72-year-old actor. He said Carradine died either late Wednesday or early Thursday, but he could not provide further details out of consideration for his family.
The website of the Thai newspaper The Nation cited unidentified police sources as saying Carradine was found Thursday hanged in his luxury hotel room and is believed to have committed suicide.
Carradine has a long and distinguished career, spanning several decades in movies and television. He played the title role in director Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” saga. Carradine was best known for his work on “Kung Fu” as Kwai Chang Caine. The show ran from 1972-75. Carradine later played the role in several TV movies and the syndicated series, “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.”
Wow! This is a real shocker. I really loved watching David act. One of my favorite films by him was the western “The Long Riders,” in which he starred as the oldest of the Younger brothers, Cole. Each of the outlaw gangs were represented by real-life brothers who were also actors —
The James’ were portrayed by the Keach brothers
The Youngers was played by the Carradine clan
The Millers were the two Quaid brothers
and the Fords were portrayed by the Guest brothers.
This is a sad day. I wonder what drove him to suicide? Has he been ill or was he recently diagnosed with a terminal condition? My Dad killed himself at the same age after he had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
I’m still shocked by the fact he hung himself. RIP David.
One of my favorite films with David Carradine was Bird on A Wire. I’ve seen a lot of films and TV he’s been in and he will be missed.
He will definitely be missed. I remember The Long Riders fondly, as well as the showdown between him and Chuck Norris in Lone Wolf McQuade.
Also had fun watching him on the history channel in the “Wild West Tech” show
The official report is that it was Accidental. For one thing, there was NO NOTE and David was going to do a new movie. He had no reason to commit suicide. I have set up a group at a candle site where people can light candles in his memory.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=DCFan
So far, there are 19 candles from 6 countries. Just follow the instructions on lighting your candle.
One Sci-Fi movie that a lot of people may not be aware of that he did was called Nightfall. It was based on a story by Isaac Asimov.
Description: The people of the planet Aeon blessed with six suns have never experienced night. When an archeologist uncovers evidence of an ancient catastrophe, all signs point toward the impending darkness of the very first Nightfall. Panic erupts as the suns slowly disappear one by one. Science struggles against the superstition as the people race to comprehend the approaching Nightfall . . . the end of the world as they know it.
The Science Fiction Writer’s of America voted as being “The Greatest Science Fiction Story of All Time.”
It is a VERY RARE Video and difficult to find. I was lucky to find a copy.
(@
AJCrane