Theater News

David Carradine Dies at 72

David Carradine in Kung Fu
David Carradine in Kung Fu

David Carradine, best known as the star of the television series Kung Fu has died, according to published reports. He was 72. Carradine was reported by local police to have been found dead in his hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, hanging from a rope. He was working on a movie there.

The actor appeared on Broadway in The Deputy and The Royal Hunt for the Sun, winning a Theatre World Award for the latter. He received an Oscar nomination for playing Woody Guthrie in Bound for Glory, and his other film and television credits include Shane, North and South, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, and Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2.

The son of actor John Carradine, he was part of an acting family that also includes his half-brothers Keith and Robert Carradine, and nieces Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine.

In a statement, Plimpton said: “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. I adored him as a child, and as an adult I admired and respected him. We will all miss him terribly, and are so grateful for everyone’s condolences. The passing of someone so loved is extremely difficult under any circumstances, and I hope that all those who admired David will respect his legacy and allow his family and loved ones to grieve peacefully.”

He was married five times, and is survived by his fifth wife Annie Bierman, whom he married in 2004, along with his son Tom (whose mother is the actress Barbara Hershey), and his daughters Calista and Kansas from previous marriages.