David Carradine, the renowned actor known for his roles in the 1970s TV series Kung Fu and the Kill Bill films, has been discovered deceased in a hotel room in Bangkok.
The 72-year-old was in Thailand to film his latest project, Stretch, as confirmed by his personal manager, Chuck Binder.
According to authorities, Carradine was found in a hotel wardrobe with a cord wrapped around his neck and other parts of his body, supporting earlier reports from the Thai press suggesting that he had taken his own life.
His agent expressed shock at the news, stating that Carradine was a vibrant individual who always had a passion for his work.
The US embassy spokesperson has verified the actor’s passing, sharing that Carradine died either late Wednesday or early Thursday, but providing no further details out of respect for his family.
Throughout his career, Carradine appeared in over 100 films and television dramas.
He is most remembered for his iconic portrayal of Kwai Chang Caine in the popular American TV series Kung Fu during the 1970s, as well as his role as Bill, Uma Thurman’s nemesis, in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill films.
Tarantino himself was an admirer of Carradine’s talent.
In addition to his notable roles in Kung Fu and its subsequent spin-off movies and TV sequels, Carradine also gave memorable performances such as his portrayal of folk singer Woody Guthrie in the Oscar-nominated Bound for Glory in 1976, and his role as a railroad union organizer in Martin Scorsese’s Boxcar Bertha in 1972.
Scorsese later cast Carradine as a drunken character who gets shot while urinating in a bar in Mean Streets in 1973.
Born John Arthur Carradine, he was the eldest son of actor John Carradine.
Apart from his acting career, Carradine produced and starred in various exercise videos, sharing his knowledge of martial arts such as tai chi and qigong, which he became interested in during his time on Kung Fu.
He is survived by his two daughters, Calista and Kansas, his son, Tom, and his fifth wife, Annie Bierman, along with her children.
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