David Carradine

**David Carradine** (December 8, 1936 Hollywood, California, U.S. – June 3, 2009, Bangkok, Thailand), was an American actor. He was famous as the lead in a 1970s TV series _Kung Fu_.

Carradine had an unstable childhood. This instability continued throughout his life. He married five times. He was frequently arrested and prosecuted for a variety of offenses which often involved substance abuse. He died on June 3, 2009, from erotic asphyxiation.

## Television

Carradine began his career participating in small roles in 1960s television show as Armstrong Circle Theatre, Wagon Train, The Virginian, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre.

His first starring role was in the TV western _Shane_ (1965), where he played a lone cowboy going from town to town helping people who have problems with gunmen and bandits.

He leapt to fame in 1972 playing the role of Kwai Chang Caine, in the TV series _Kung Fu_. Kwai Chang Caine is a Shaolin monk fugitive who fled to America to escape the Emperor who put a price on his head, for the crime of his father.
63 episodes were filmed between (1972 - 1975). He returned to play the character in _Kung Fu: The Movie_ (1986), and _Kung Fu: The Legend Continues_ (1992 - 1997) (TV series).

One of his films for television was _High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane_ (1980), with Lee Majors and directed by Jerry Jameson.

Carradine had appearances in many television series including: _Gunsmoke_, _Night Gallery_, _Ironside_, _Darkroom_, _Airwolf_, _The Fall Guy_, _North and South_ (mini-series), _Matlock_, _Profiler_, _Acapulco H.E.A.T._, and _Family Law_.

He was also the voice of Clockwork for the T.V. show Danny Phantom.

## Movies

After _Kung Fu_, David starred in movies _Death Race 2000_ (1975), with Sylvester Stallone, _Cannonball!_ (1976), Bound for Glory (1976), he plays the role of Woody Guthrie an American folk singer, _Thunder and Lightning_ (1977), _The Serpent's Egg_ (1977), director Ingmar Bergman, _Gray Lady Down_ (1978), _Circle of Iron_ (1978).

In 1980, Carradine starred in _The Long Riders_, with Stacy Keach, and directed by Walter Hill. In 1983 co-starred in _Lone Wolf McQuade_, with Chuck Norris.

In the mid 1980s, he acted in low-budget films, among which are _Armed Response_ (1986) with Lee Van Cleef, _Crime Zone_ (1989).

He returned to play the role of Bill in Quentin Tarantino's film _Kill Bill: Vol. 1_ (2003), with Uma Thurman.

Carradine starred in major motion pictures and several important awards were awarded to him.

## Other websites

- David Carradine at TV Guide
- 2003 Interview by Hikari Takano, recorded at Mr. Carradine's home
- 2004 Onion interview
- 2004 IGN interview with David Carradine
- _2004, "A Fresh Thing": David Carradine_
- David Carradine – _The Daily Telegraph_ obituary
- McLellan, Dennis. "David Carradine dies at 72; star of 'Kung Fu'," _Los Angeles Times_, Friday, June 5, 2009.

## Infobox (person)

- **image**: David Carradine Polanski Unauthorized.jpg
- **name**: David Carradine
- **birth name**: John Arthur Carradine
- **birth place**: Hollywood, California, United States
- **death date**: June 3, 2009 (aged 72)
- **death place**: Bangkok, Thailand
- **death cause**: Autoerotic asphyxiation
- **body discovered**: June 4, 2009
- **resting place**: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills
- **nationality**: United States, American
- **yearsactive**: 1963–2009
- **spouse**: Donna Lee Becht
(m. 1960-1968, divorced)
Linda Gilbert
(m. 1977-1983, divorced)
Gail Jensen
(m. 1986-1997, divorced)
Marina Anderson
(m. 1999-2003, divorced)
Annie Bierman
(m. 2004-2009, his death)
- **partner**: Barbara Hershey
(1972-1975)
- **children**: 3 Children 4 Stepchildren (7)
- **parents**: John Carradine (dead)
Ardanelle (née McCool, dead)
- **relatives**: Keith Carradine
(half-brother)
Robert Carradine
(half-brother)
Ever Carradine (niece)
Martha Plimton (niece)
Beverly Carradine
(great-grandfather)
- **television**: _Kung Fu (TV series), Kung Fu_