David Carradine found dead in Bangkok

Jun 04, 2009 by Ian Evans

Actor David Carradine, who had a cult following from the 1970s series Kung Fu and his role in Kill Bill, was found dead in his room at the Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. Police say he appeared to have hanged himself. He was 72.

Carradine comes from an acting family. His father, John, brothers Keith, Robert and Bruce and niece Martha Plimpton all acted. In a statement, Plimpton said that, “My Uncle David was a brilliantly talented, fiercely intelligent and generous man. He was the nexus of our family in so many ways, and drew us together over the years and kept us connected.”

Carradine filmography stretches over 100 films. On TV, he was best known for his role in the series Kung Fun where he played the Shaolin priest Kwai Chang Caine from 1972 to 1975. He later played the character’s grandson in the syndicated series Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. In 2003, David teamed up with director Quentin Tarantino to play the leader of an assassins squad in Kill Bill — Vol. 1. and then 2004’s Kill Bill — Vol. 2, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor.