David Carradine dead at 72

[mperfct]

Just saw this on Yahoo...kind of a shocker.

BANGKOK – Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" who also had a wide-ranging career in the movies, has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok. A news report said he was found hanged in his hotel room and was believed to have committed suicide.

A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, Michael Turner, confirmed the death of the 72-year-old actor. He said the embassy was informed by Thai authorities that Carradine died either late Wednesday or early Thursday, but he could not provide further details out of consideration for his family.

The Web site of the Thai newspaper The Nation cited unidentified police sources as saying Carradine was found Thursday hanged in his luxury hotel room.

It said Carradine was in Bangkok to shoot a movie and had been staying at the hotel since Tuesday.

The newspaper said Carradine could not be contacted after he failed to appear for a meal with the rest of the film crew on Wednesday, and that his body was found by a hotel maid at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The name of the movie was not immediately available.

It said a preliminary police investigation found that he had hanged himself with a cord used with the room's curtains. It cited police as saying he had been dead at least 12 hours and there was no sign that he had been assaulted.

A police officer at Bangkok's Lumpini precinct station would not confirm the identity of the dead man to The Associated Press, but said the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel had reported that a male guest killed himself there.

Carradine was a leading member of a venerable Hollywood acting family that included his father, character actor John Carradine, and brother Keith.

In all, he appeared in more than 100 feature films with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Hal Ashby.

But he was best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin priest traveling the 1800s American frontier West in the TV series "Kung Fu," which aired in 1972-75.

He reprised the role in a mid-1980s TV movie and played Caine's grandson in the 1990s syndicated series "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues."

He returned to the top in recent years as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's two-part saga "Kill Bill."

 

[rnatalli]

I will always remember him as Bill. RIP

 

[gmichael]

Something seems fishy to me. Did he have a history of depression? What could go so wrong that he would decide to off himself?

 

[Nemo128]

Maybe someone killed Bill...

 

[CraigV]

Wow, I grew up watching Kung Fu, man I loved that show. I also really liked him as Bill. Sad indeed.

 

[j_garcia]

Very sad when I heard this early this morning. Unbelievable. I will always remember him as Qui Chang Kane, but I agree he was good as Bill as well. RIP

 

[jamie2112]

Something doesn't quite gel for me on this.....

 

[speakerman39]

It is sad to hear about him committing suicide. He must have been very depressed or perhaps had some personal problems. I also liked him as Bill. Very seasoned actor imho. My heart and prayers goes out to all of his friends and family. RIP Bill.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Something doesn't quite gel for me on this.....

He had some long term substance abuse problems apparently. Though it seemed like he was doing well and was in a positive state of mind and working, people with those types of problems generally carry the effects for the rest of their lives. One of the articles I read had a comment from him about his state of mind at the time and it sounded like serious depression to me. The article also said he was there to shoot a new movie. Though they said there was no immediate indication of foul play, it can't be ruled out.

 

[Nemo128]

It's kinda like Heath. Why off yourself when you're filming a movie, and in Ledger's case, when you just wrapped up the performance of a lifetime worthy of an Oscar.

I'll never understand famous people, seriously. Tom Cruise jumps on couches, Travolta believes in Lord Xenu, Britney shaves her head and goes wacko... does being rich and famous really do that to people? They should send me a few mill so I can find out for myself.

Back to thread, I honestly think foul play. It just smells of it for some reason, even if it wasn't someone literally stringing him up.

 

[jliedeka]

I think it was the 5 point palm exploding heart technique.

Seriously, based on some reports, I wouldn't rule out autoerotic asphyxiation.

Too weird. I was a huge fan of Kung Fu, Circle of Iron and Kill Bill.

Jim

 

[Alex2507]

Seriously, based on some reports, I wouldn't rule out autoerotic asphyxiation.

You mean for him or for you?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Wow, I grew up watching Kung Fu, man I loved that show. I also really liked him as Bill. Sad indeed.

He also did some shows on History channel, the western ones.

 

[Scarriere]

He was awesome in "The Long Riders". Which, in my opinion, is on the short list of the great westerns.
R.I.P. David.

 

[newb]

autoerotic asphyxiation

I read an article saying it was autoerotic asphyxiation, the article said he had a rope around his neck and genitals. Who knows, recent pictures didn't have him looking too healthy and maybe he went out his own way.

RIP, he'll be missed.