Actor David Carradine, best known to baby boomers as Caine from "Kung Fu" and to younger audiences as Bill from Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" movies, was found dead Wednesday in a Bangkok hotel room. He had apparently hanged himself.
Carradine, 72, was the oldest son of noted actor John Carradine and patriarch to a Hollywood dynasty. He was half-brother to actors Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine and Michael Bowen. Two of his children are actors, daughters Calista Carradine and Kansas Carradine. He also had two acting nieces, Ever Carradine (daughter of Robert) and Martha Plimpton (daughter of Keith).
Carradine moved easily between television and movies. His role as Caine in television's "Kung Fu" from 1972 to 1975 made him a star. He then starred as his character's grandson in "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" from 1993 to 1997.
He also starred in movies ranging from Martin Scorsese's first hit "Boxcar Bertha" in 1972 to Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films in 2003 and 2004.
He was an action star of sorts in the 1970s, starring in several low budget films such as "Cannonball" and "Deathsport."
Carradine, 72, was the oldest son of noted actor John Carradine and patriarch to a Hollywood dynasty. He was half-brother to actors Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine and Michael Bowen. Two of his children are actors, daughters Calista Carradine and Kansas Carradine. He also had two acting nieces, Ever Carradine (daughter of Robert) and Martha Plimpton (daughter of Keith).
Carradine moved easily between television and movies. His role as Caine in television's "Kung Fu" from 1972 to 1975 made him a star. He then starred as his character's grandson in "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" from 1993 to 1997.
He also starred in movies ranging from Martin Scorsese's first hit "Boxcar Bertha" in 1972 to Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films in 2003 and 2004.
He was an action star of sorts in the 1970s, starring in several low budget films such as "Cannonball" and "Deathsport."
Over the years he worked with a number of great directors including Scorsese, Tarantino, Hal Ashby and Ingmar Bergman.
Besides acting for more than 40 years, Carradine was a producer, director, writer and editor. He also was a musician and had composed music for at least one film and had and contributed songs to movie soundtracks. He was also an accomplished artist.
Here are six of his best performances that are available on video or DVD.
"The Long Riders" (1980) -- A Western with a twist. All of the sets of brothers in the movie are played by real-life acting siblings. David, Keith and Robert Carradine are the Younger brothers, while Stacy and James Keach are Jesse and Frank James. Stars include Randy and Dennis Quaid, Christopher and Nicholas Guest and Pamela Reed.
"Boxcar Bertha" (1972) -- Martin Scorsese directs Carradine and then girlfriend Barbara Hershey in this film about a union organizer and his prostitute girlfriend during the Depression. Other stars include Barry Primus, Bernie Casey and John Carradine.
"Bound for Glory" (1976) -- Carradine stars as folk singer Woody Guthrie during his travels during the Depression. Other stars include Melina Dillon, Ronny Cox and Gail Strickland.
"Kill Bill" (2003 and 2004) -- Carradine is Bill in these Tarantino films about a woman (Uma Thurman) seeking revenge on the people who almost killed her and stole her baby. Other stars include Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah and Michael Madsen.
"Death Race 2000" (1975) -- Carradine stars as Frankenstein, a driver in a futurisic American road race where teams earn points by running over pedestrians in this cult classic. Other stars include Sylvester Stallone and Mary Woronov.
"Kung Fu" (1972 to 1975) -- All three seasons of the show about a young Chinese man wandering the American West are available. He later portrayed this character's grandson in "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues."
Besides acting for more than 40 years, Carradine was a producer, director, writer and editor. He also was a musician and had composed music for at least one film and had and contributed songs to movie soundtracks. He was also an accomplished artist.
Here are six of his best performances that are available on video or DVD.
"The Long Riders" (1980) -- A Western with a twist. All of the sets of brothers in the movie are played by real-life acting siblings. David, Keith and Robert Carradine are the Younger brothers, while Stacy and James Keach are Jesse and Frank James. Stars include Randy and Dennis Quaid, Christopher and Nicholas Guest and Pamela Reed.
"Boxcar Bertha" (1972) -- Martin Scorsese directs Carradine and then girlfriend Barbara Hershey in this film about a union organizer and his prostitute girlfriend during the Depression. Other stars include Barry Primus, Bernie Casey and John Carradine.
"Bound for Glory" (1976) -- Carradine stars as folk singer Woody Guthrie during his travels during the Depression. Other stars include Melina Dillon, Ronny Cox and Gail Strickland.
"Kill Bill" (2003 and 2004) -- Carradine is Bill in these Tarantino films about a woman (Uma Thurman) seeking revenge on the people who almost killed her and stole her baby. Other stars include Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah and Michael Madsen.
"Death Race 2000" (1975) -- Carradine stars as Frankenstein, a driver in a futurisic American road race where teams earn points by running over pedestrians in this cult classic. Other stars include Sylvester Stallone and Mary Woronov.
"Kung Fu" (1972 to 1975) -- All three seasons of the show about a young Chinese man wandering the American West are available. He later portrayed this character's grandson in "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues."
For more information on David Carradine's film career or to leave a message for his family visit http://www.david-carradine.com/
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