David Carradine found dead in Bangkok
By Alexandra Heilbron on June 4, 2009 | 39 Comments
Actor David Carradine, 72, best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s Kung Fu television series, was found dead in a hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday morning. Though he was found naked with a rope around his neck and genitals — co-workers and friends don’t believe it was suicide, something that his wife is denying as well. Director Adam Rifkin says: “I find it extremely hard to believe that David — who was such a hard-working, energetic and beloved Hollywood legend — was done in by his own hand.” David’s rep told TMZ: “We can confirm 100% that he never would have committed suicide. It was an accidental death. Everybody is in shock.” It appears now that Carradine likely died of asphyxiation, when an auto-erotic sex game went wrong, according to police. Carradine, who also starred in the Kill Bill movies and played his Kung Fu character’s grandson in the 1990s series Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, was reportedly in Bangkok to shoot his latest film, Stretch. David was the eldest son of legendary actor John Carradine. His brothers Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine are also both successful actors. Married five times, David leaves behind his wife of four years, Annie Bierman. He is also survived by three children from different marriages/relationships — Calista, Kansas and Tom (whose name at birth was “Free”). Results from an autopsy are expected to be released on Saturday.
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Sad to hear that someone becomes so desperate over something that they take their own lives.At his age there must have been something terribly wrong for him to do this. My condolences to his family.
Wow, that is so sad.
I had the privilege of meeting him a month ago in Edmonton for a few games of Bocce Ball. He was a very accomodating, interesting, and funny fellow. His death saddens me.
Thanks for the memories David.
Sounds like erotic asphyxiation, same way as Michael Hutchens died. That was an accident, too. The rep should’ve kept his mouth shut and let people think it was a suicide. This will be really embarassing for his family.
what kind of an accident could it have been? what would prompt him to get naked and then tie a rope around his body accidentally hanging himself?
this is so sad. i loved him in Kill Bill.
hated Kill Bill, had to turn it off after 1/2 hour, but he was good at what he did. Never like to hear this stuff. Hopefully he died peacefully and not suicide like the media is suggesting. And even if he did, he’s 72, maybe he was sick…so why can’t they keep it quiet and keep it dignified for him, and just say he died peacefully. It’s bad enough to hear when someone passes away, but even worse when the media has to put ideas in everyone’s head just to get a story.
i dont think it was an accident. for real, you have to climb on a chair and put a rope up on the ceiling, make a noose and then climb in it. i dont believe it was an accident, nor related to sex at all. i think maybe he was going through a hard time and couldnt deal with it anymore. so sorry to hear, terrible news. rest in peace. i hate how they cant ever just let things like this go and admit they are suicides.
I don’t believe it was suicide maybe it was an
accident or maybe someone forced him to do it.
Who knows for sure, but I won’t believe it. He had to much going for him, he was in a new movie and a wife and kids back home. I’ll remember him most in both the Kung Fu series from the 70’s and 90’s. Thanks for the memories and my condolences to all the family.
It’d be hard to keep this ‘dignified’ finding him the way they did lol.
R.I.P. David…
My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
David’s death was very sad to hear about, he will be missed. How he died or why are irrelevant and really nobody’s buisness. Just because he was famous doesn’t give people the right to know every detail of his life and death.
Well Adelle, being found in a hotel by a maid, hanging in the closet naked with the rope around his d!ck as well as around his neck is the kind of news that gets reported nowadays. Whether we have the right or not, the media does and this is the stuff that sells. Is it sad that this is what it comes down to? Yes, but the sun will rise again tomorrow and a new day will begin. Mr. Carradine was not a stupid man. He was no stranger to the scrutiny of the media and the curiosity of the public. To be in the “position” he was found, even if it was an accident, “what if?” had to have crossed his mind. So, I’m sure he knew the consequences.
So sorry to hear! I loved his acting, I wish the media would just let him rest in peace.
He will be sorely missed as an actor and as kind man. I do hope media respects the families wishes.
Some things are just best left unsaid. I definitely didn’t need to know the details and feel sorry for the family.
Goodbye David,Rest in Peace!Never missed Kung Fu!
I wished the Media would have let you die with dignity!
I really enjoyed all the Kung Fu series he will really be missed.Media go and bother somebody else.My condolences to the family as well.Thanks David for the memories.
My condoleances to his family. He was a really talented man and although he played his shares of villains, he seemed to be a nice individual in his every day life.
He will definitely be missed.
Check out this link to court documents from when his second wife was filing for divorce. Two of the reasons she gave for the divorce were because he continally participated in “deviant sexual behavior which was potentially deadly” and also says the last straw was when she found out he was having an “incestuous relationship with a very close family member” which both he and the family member admitted to. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0605092carradine2.html
My condolences to his family. Let the man rest in peace. God is the only one who can judge him. I think the press should leave it be. Unless he did not really commit kill himself. Funny it should happen over there.
I guess I just do not trust what is writtin or the police. What if was murder?????
Nothing like waiting till the man is dead before dragging him and his family through the mud ‘eh TSG??
He made good movies, he entertained people…that’s all we should remember him for. What a person does behind closed doors is there own buisness.
People, give your heads a collective shake. Auto-erotic asphyxiation is a farily common sexual act. To die from it is simply a mistake. It’s a dangerous game people with this fetish play, extremely dangerous when they’re alone. Passing out from lack of blood / oxygen to the brain is a hell of alot easier than one would imagine. Simply put, David Carradine messed up and paid for it with his life. Sad, but true…
May the Goddess bless you and give peace to your family.
Who is the goddess? There is only one God and man was made in His image. Not sure if Carradine is resting in peace that is not for me to say. I would hope so for his sake though because eternity is forever.
I’m just heartbroken.
I am just in shock to hear this news. i will sadly miss his acting. He was one of my favorite actors and very good looking at his age. All my condolences go out to his family. This should never have happened. I’m sorry it happened to a great all time actor.
Steve on June 5, 2009 11:59 PM
OMG! The Goddess is the mother of God, or his wife. I keep forgetting which one she is but she’s one of them.
i think that no matter what ended his life , that it is a loss to all who were entertained by him acquainted with him and worked with him. Sadly I say farewell David
I wish I could patent this cartoon.
Picture David at the door of the Pearly Gates.
He is asked who he is and what he wants. Without thinking, and in character, STATES
I AM CAINE, I HAVE COME TO HELP YOU. Watch for the comet in the sky.Red in color. He was a good man of mankind and has a great family. We will all miss him. I pictured him taking a large BOOK to Afhganistan, and presenting it to the people in power. It would have to be THE CANADIAN BOOK OF CRIMINAL CODE. The best Secular based Code in the world for ALL people. They should be translated iMMedialey and negotiated for dispersment and implimentation.It would save the country.and the whole area.Remmember “let what is caesar’s be caesars, let what is Gods be Gods” They have a COUNTRY on this world to run before they can even attempt to be in paradise. They will need 10,000 years of practice or more. What,s this rush to human DEASTH, which meens absolutily nothing but a futile gesture of frustation. Rather stay and prove youself human and learn to coexist and run a life here on earth.If you die before your god given time you fade into black matter which will not matter to anyone.I have spoken. The sage
Whaaaa?
Anon,
First of all Mary the mother of Jesus is and will never be a goddess and second Jesus was never married. Sorry that you didn’t know this sooner but hope you will look at the scriptures and see for yourself. Using God’s name in vain not a good idea because you will stand before Him one day and be judged for everything that you say and do. I surely would hate to see anyone stand before God alone rather than accept what His Son Jesus Christ did for us on the cross a couple of thousand years ago and have Him as our lawyer (Saviour). Repent before it’s too late.
I thank you Anon for trying to clarify who “goddess” is though.
Keith Hanson, did you ever hear the saying “Say no to drugs”?
Steve on June 6, 2009 11:37 AM
I was just trying to do my part in educating everyone here on who the goddess was but I see know that I stand corrected. Maybe ena was referring to Mary Magdalene the lover and not the mother?
I wish to send my condolences to David’s family and close friends. I was one of those people who enjoyed his movies as a child and I wish to remember what a wonderful man he was. God Bless you and Keep you.
Marla
l Wish to send my Condolences to the Family Daivd was a good person l Have been watching Kung Fu on TV it is still on. will real miss him have been a fan for over 30 years never miss his movie .do not think he did this was to good. and if you love God. then you would not do this. God Bless and Kept you.
Linda
I remember Kung fu too bad he died my condlenses to his family and friends.
so many Kung Fu fans (such as myself) wanted to grow up to be like David Carradine
Well….get the rope grasshopper! 😀