Culture

David Carradine Dead in Bangkok at Age 72: Rep Denies Suicide

by Jordan Yerman | June 4, 2009 at 06:16 am

2600 views | 47 Recommendations | 10 comments

David Carradine, an actor loved by audiences in the TV series Kung Fu, as well as recent comeback roles in Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 and Crank: High Voltage, was found hung in the closet of his hotel room at the Swissotel Nai Lert Park in Bangkok, where he was shooting a new film. While the initial police theory was suicide, Carradine's representative said that the actor's death was accidental.

The rep said David's death was "accidental."

Thai police told the BBC the 72-year-old was found naked by a hotel maid in a wardrobe with a cord around his neck and other parts of his body.

The 72-year-old was in Thailand filming his latest film Stretch, according to his personal manager Chuck Binder.

Carradine's manager says that the actor died of natural causes, though Thai police assert that Carradine committed suicide.

Police investigation showed that he hung himself with a rope, the kind that is used with curtains.

Police said he was dead for not less than 12 hours and found no sign of fighting and assaults.

Carradine has appeared in over 100 movies and television shows. He is survived by brother Bruce Carradine and half-brothers Robert Carradine and Keith Carradine, as well as wife Annie Bierman, daughters Calista and Kansas, and son Tom, as well as nieces Ever Carradine and Martha Plimpton.

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Jordan Yerman

at 09:25 on June 4th, 2009

Me, too. I don't get tired of Bill's "Superman" parable in Vol. 2.

Paschen

at 09:02 on June 4th, 2009

He was one of my favourites. That does some what sound bizarre though.

Karen Hatter

at 09:13 on June 4th, 2009

I was a huge fan and enjoyed seeing him again in the Kill Bill movies.

danesller0127

at 10:04 on June 4th, 2009

I remembered David Carridine in the early 70's the classic "Kung Fu" TV series, the adventures of a Shaolin Monks as he wanders the American West armed only with his skill in Kung Fu... A project idea for Bruce Lee, (Lee accepted the "Green Hornet" after Carradine was given the lead in "Kung Fu"... It's an amazing TV series... like Bruce Lee, He's one also of my favourites. Thanks! Jordan' :D

mgmirkin

at 10:08 on June 4th, 2009

Sorry to hear this news. Also sorry to duplicate this news item. Didn't realize it had already been noted. Didn't come up in "Search."

nowpublic.com/culture/actor-david-carradine-dead-bangkok-72

Regards,
~Michael

Diligent Dragon (not verified)

at 08:01 on June 4th, 2009

It's sad in any case!

sara star

at 09:53 on June 4th, 2009

Rest peacefully beautiful one, you have brought us much joy!

mgmirkin

at 10:18 on June 4th, 2009

I also recall the later sequel / spin-off "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" which I thought was pretty good...

savannahblues (not verified)

at 13:51 on June 4th, 2009

I am confused as to how someone as tall as David could hang themself in a closet. Of course I am use to USA hotel rooms. I just don;t trust the Thai police.

His friends on the set said he was up beat the night before.