David Carradine: 1936-2009
Summary
David Carradine, the film and television actor who lent his rugged persona to more than 100 films, was found dead in Thailand while on location for the film Stretch. Police said the cause of death was suicide by hanging. He was 72. Carradine was born into a family of thespians: his father was noted star John Carradine, his brother was Bruce Carradine and he was the half-brother of Keith and Robert Carradine. Though he came to prominence as the star of TV's Kung Fu, Carradine was a key player in works by some of cinema's greatest directors. One of his earliest starring movie roles was in Martin Scorsese's second feature, Boxcar Bertha, and he also toplined the works by Hal Ashby (Bound for Glory), Ingmar Bergman (The Serpent's Egg), Walter Hill (The Long Riders), and, most recently, Quentin Tarantino (Kill Bill). Back to Article
David Carradine, the film and television actor who lent his rugged persona to more than 100 films, was found dead in Thailand while on location for the film Stretch. Police said the cause of death was suicide by hanging. He was 72. Carradine was born into a family of thespians: his father was noted star John Carradine, his brother was Bruce Carradine and he was the half-brother of Keith and Robert Carradine. Though he came to prominence as the star of TV's Kung Fu, Carradine was a key player in works by some of cinema's greatest directors. One of his earliest starring movie roles was in Martin Scorsese's second feature, Boxcar Bertha, and he also toplined the works by Hal Ashby (Bound for Glory), Ingmar Bergman (The Serpent's Egg), Walter Hill (The Long Riders), and, most recently, Quentin Tarantino (Kill Bill). Back to Article
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JAKEofMIDWORLD writes: on Jun 04 2009 09:28 AM too bad, that sucks, I enjoyed him in Box Car Bertha and the Kill Bill movies. I love his scene from Mean Streets as well. Seemed like a cool guy. (Reply to this) |
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jaredisme writes: on Jun 04 2009 09:44 AM absolutely heartbreaking.... (Reply to this) |
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bluestar2000 writes: on Jun 04 2009 09:54 AM David Carradine you will be missed. you were great in the Kill Bill movies, and Kung Fu. (Reply to this) |
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arendr writes: on Jun 04 2009 09:59 AM My friend and location sound guy was working on a movie with him, possibly that one. He had a picture on his Facebook page where he was sitting on the grass with Mr. Carradine. It looked as though Carradine was giving him worldly advice. Shame. (Reply to this) |
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cypress550 writes: on Jun 04 2009 10:11 AM a great actor will surely be missed by many (Reply to this) |
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rle4lunch writes: on Jun 04 2009 10:24 AM hmm. the guy obviously had some demons in him. apparently they won. sorry to see him go. at least he didn't do it when he was 35. (Reply to this) |
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willywonkanobi writes: on Jun 04 2009 10:58 AM Weird... and sucky. He always struck me as a cool dude. I am upset for his wife and family. (Reply to this) |
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Bigbrother writes: on Jun 04 2009 11:24 AM That sucks, reason #56 why I'll never go to Thailand. (Reply to this) |
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fvzappa writes: on Jun 04 2009 11:29 AM Met him, nice guy. Never would've figured he'd kill himself. (Reply to this) |
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D Effin W writes: on Jun 04 2009 11:35 AM No more Kung Fu... (Reply to this) |
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askingseven writes: on Jun 04 2009 11:37 AM Dammit. (Reply to this) |
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Andrew W. writes: on Jun 04 2009 11:48 AM In reply to this comment (#2524601) I don't think Thailand is to blame. Must have been something else troubling his soul. May he rest in peace. (Reply to this) |
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JamesEarl writes: on Jun 04 2009 12:08 PM I am so sad to hear of this but am so angry with Carradine. While we may never know what drove him to it, I can't help but be angry. I feel terrible for the friends and loved ones he left behind and he will be missed. RIP David. (Reply to this) |
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Dave J. writes: on Jun 04 2009 12:33 PM An exceptional actor and very suspicious that lead up to his death (Reply to this) |
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Chris B. writes: on Jun 04 2009 12:38 PM well that sucks :( (Reply to this) |
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Mr. Positive writes: on Jun 04 2009 12:52 PM What is going on in Hollywood lately? All these actors and actresses offing themselves. Especially that beautiful girl from London that was in Spiderman. It just doesn't make sense. (Reply to this) |
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rodge d. writes: on Jun 04 2009 12:54 PM nefarious. (Reply to this) |
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Christopher256G writes: on Jun 04 2009 12:56 PM That's just sad. Too bad he didn't get the help he needed. (Reply to this) |
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cuni34 writes: on Jun 04 2009 01:07 PM The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering...... Bruce Lee Farewell (Reply to this) |
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Bob S. writes: on Jun 04 2009 01:17 PM Goodbye, Grasshopper. Bill killing Bill is a sad thing indeed. A television and film presence who will definitely be missed. Condolences to his surviving family. (Reply to this) |
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ledawg1138 writes: on Jun 04 2009 01:19 PM I love "Kung Fu" and "Kill Bill". A lot has to do with him! This hurts. (Reply to this) |
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Bigbrother writes: on Jun 04 2009 01:24 PM In reply to this comment (#2524613) Bad things happen in Thailand. It's like Denny's after 3AM. I've been trying to think of it for years now, but does anyone remember the movie David Carradine was in where he played Dracula? He was like the mayor of a town of vampires who was trying to reform ala True Blood. Terrible low budget movie, but enthralling too. Carradine in particular. (Reply to this) |
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Josh C. writes: on Jun 04 2009 01:37 PM Wow, with a wife, two kids and a reinvigorated career it seems really hard to believe that he killed himself... He was a great actor and he will be missed... (Reply to this) |
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The Reaper writes: on Jun 04 2009 02:03 PM Very sad. Shows how little we know about others. Everyone fight their own battles, most of the time alone and fending off depression. RIP. (Reply to this) |
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J3vr0N writes: on Jun 04 2009 02:17 PM Wow, what a sad story. He was a great actor and always gave a good performance. He was a very mysterious and open soul. (Reply to this) |
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Bob S. writes: on Jun 04 2009 02:20 PM @bigbrother: Are you talking about SUNDOWN? I think that's the movie you're talking about. Whole exercise was laughably bad except for the legend himself, David Carradine. (Reply to this) |
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dethburger writes: on Jun 04 2009 02:21 PM I'm not surprised he killed himself, I'm surprised he did it now. rip David (Reply to this) |
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rebranded001 writes: on Jun 04 2009 02:37 PM He should've made sure he had a buddy around if he was going the autoerotic asphyxiation route. Good thing he hooked up with QT a few years ago to make sure he had retardedly irrational Tarantino Internet fanboys with poor taste in cinema to mourn his death. (Reply to this) |
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Sprizmo writes: on Jun 04 2009 02:45 PM Aw man, something else to be depressed about. (Reply to this) |
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snickerskicker writes: on Jun 04 2009 03:41 PM In reply to this comment (#2524664) Why don't you rid the world of your existence and bad taste in movies by following David's example? (Reply to this) |
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Bigbrother writes: on Jun 04 2009 03:50 PM That's it!!! Thanks. One of those great camp horror comedies of the late 80's early 90's like The Howling and Fright Night. I remember it because of Carradines performance and some of the unique elements it brought that hadn't been seen before at the time, but which have been done in other more successful films since i.e. blood substitute for peaceful vampires, blending of western and horror elements and of course the incomparable Bruce Cambell as the descendant of Van Helsing. I also remember the bad vampire being pretty good for this production. If you're a fan of B-movie vampire flicks this is definately one to check out. I'll leave it at that since this probably isn't he forum to discuss it. Thanks again Bob. (Reply to this) |
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CodeClearanceBlue writes: on Jun 04 2009 03:57 PM There is still no confirmation that is was suicide. (Reply to this) |
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ZigBallistic writes: on Jun 04 2009 05:47 PM Man, if I killed myself, it sure wouldn't be in Thailand. Land of cheap meth and child prostitution. (Reply to this) |
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Islander writes: on Jun 05 2009 09:47 PM I thought he died from erotic asphyxiation? (Reply to this) |
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Freebirth writes: on Jun 06 2009 12:46 PM NOT suicide. Bad journalism. (Reply to this) |
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the train writes: on Jun 06 2009 12:47 PM is RT waging war on user comments? comments keep disappearing. anyway. i never believed it was a suicide. even before the news came out that the rope was also tied to his genitals. he didn't seem like the kind of guy who would hang himself. and in a chair? either this was a sex act that went wrong or something more sinister. (Reply to this) |
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RT-Steveo writes: on Jun 06 2009 12:57 PM No...we're not waging a war on user comments. We are experiencing issues with the site that will hopefully be worked out soon. Thanks for your patience. (Reply to this) |
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dystopiandweller writes: on Jun 06 2009 01:21 PM I'm not convinced this was a suicide. And really John, he was gonna be on that Air France? (Reply to this) |
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Sablicious writes: on Jun 07 2009 02:11 AM In reply to this comment (#2511240) Not INTENDED suicide. Just an unfortunate offshoot to the perils of autoerotic asphyxiation! : / (Reply to this) |
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shane f. writes: on Jun 07 2009 09:55 PM I%uFEFF guess as you get older you try different things if you have the chance. His former wife also told a divorce court about his sexual oddities. Search and look at the picture, it tells a story and is quite shocking/revealing... (Reply to this) |
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RhapsodicInk M. writes: on Jun 08 2009 12:52 AM (Reply to this) |
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Cujo Ramsey writes: on Jun 12 2009 05:18 AM I actually worked with David Carradine on a film once (low budget crap) and he was a world class douchebag. I'm not surprised that he died in such a sick and perverse manner. He reallly was a pretty pathetic individual. But that's just my opinion. Cujo Ramsey (Reply to this) |
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BigBoy writes: on Jun 12 2009 06:04 AM Just saw the photo: grainy, distorted and shot from a 3/4 view. A wig and fishnets? Nice!? :/ Oh well, f@ck the celebrities and their fake self-fulfilling prophecies. I never liked the guy anyway. slippy (Reply to this) |
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