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Actor David Carradine Found Dead in Thailand

by Alex Billington
June 4, 2009

Multiple sources, including CNN and the BBC, have confirmed that 72-year-old actor David Carradine was found dead in his hotel in Bangkok, Thailand earlier today. The BBC is claiming that Bangkok police told them that Carradine hung himself in his own room. The actor was in Thailand filming his latest film called Stretch, according to his personal manager Chuck Binder. Carradine's death was "shocking and sad. He was full of life, always wanting to work... a great person," Binder said. Most will recognize Carradine as Bill from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films, but his acting career stretches all the way back to the 1960's.

Carradine most recently appeared in Crank: High Voltage as the rich, old Poon Dong. He is also known for his role as the traveling Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine on the TV series "Kung Fu." After a career which included more than 100 movies with directors such as Martin Scorsese and Ingmar Bergman, he recently found fame again thanks to his role as Bill in Tarantino's Kill Bill. He is survived by his wife, Annie Bierman, and four children. Carradine on acting: "It's always seemed to me like a mission. A holy one, like the Blues Brothers. It's a marathon. You can't quit; even coming in dead last has honor." Rest in peace, David.

Filed under General, Movie News

From around the web:

jason

Holy crap. WTH? Why would he do this?
K

RIP...
hey

is that quote really appropriate?
Epic

Yeah the quote has nothing to do at all with the man that he was. This is ridiculous. He was such a great actor. It makes you wonder what pushed him off the edge.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

I wanted to end it on a bit of a happier or comedic note, kind of like, let's remember him for his great career and great performances and great lines, like that one.
Chris

I'll say what everyone is thinking....Ninjas or midget ninjas. It can be the only explanation.
Dan

Hey Chris, too soon. Kind of a dick thing to say. RIP Carradine.
-Peter-

this sucks hard... how depressing
K

how about showing some respect people. some people just have no class or common sense.
http://www.none.com miguel

Hard to remember him for his great career when it seems he may have died from auto-erotic asphyxiation. That's what I would remember him for if it turns out to be true.
Bahumbug

His best performance has to be Bound For Glory. He was perfect for that role.
Matthew

Ya at 72.. why kill yourself? Something must have been real troubling. The easy route could have been retirement, but who knows. RIP, hope the family does well.
Syphous

Ok, this seems really odd. He killed himself at age 72, while on a shoot for a feature film, and in a foreign country... how sure are they it was suicide? Did he leave a note? Questionable.
Nick Sears

I just can't believe he went out like that. A man of his travels and life experience/practice. Grant it, I have no idea what's going on in his life/head, but I feel something may surface to reveal a deeper reasoning for this event. Just dumbfounded about this. He will be missed.
I have anxiety (and depression)

I just hope it wasn't murder. Everyone seems on the money. He's 72. Shooting a movie. He doesn't seem like the type to do this. Either way this is sad.
Greek God

Poor family...
I have anxiety (and depression)

I just read there was no sign of assault.
Jay

Terrible news, really. The BBC stated that he had a rope around his neck and "other body parts". That came off as rather odd. Suicide does sound unconvincing when hearing lectures from him. My condolences.
PinkSushi

Bill Killed...
Al

19, how extremely inappropriate
RC

Wow, that's really unfortunate. He was a favorite actor of mine; I loved his characters. He'll be missed.
xerxex

sad.
Mario

Rest in peace David..
Joseph S.

RIP Mr. Carradine.
Robbie

R.I.P. =(
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4120/sppunx06oa5.jpg Crapola

I really hope this wasn't another asphyxiwank death. I grew up watching him in cowboy films and Kungfu, my dad really liked him too, he was cool. Don't get upset by the masturbating whilst hanging thing it's pretty common and seemingly even more common with actors and musicians. One of my favourite cartoonists Vaughn Bode died the same way... He made great films. Rest in Peace.
cine_phil

My condolences - rest in peace David Carradine.
Spider

My condolences go out to Mr. Carradine's family! R.I.P Mr David Carradine!
Richard

RIP
C

RIP
daniel

That sucks i think someone killed himand mand it look like he hung himsilf he the one from that TV show will RIP.
LV 428

i knew he was good at marshal Arts but come on.......Hung Fu!!!!!
Raul

I'm thinking there's got to be foul play..... RIP Mr. Carradine
cody

Lot of straight up douche bags posting on this apparently, like all you ppl making jokes about a guys death do you seriously think your funny? Your not go fuck yourselves seriously your worthless pieces of shit and what goes around comes around. But I agree with some really dont think think this was suicide specially while filming and it just seems downright weird...RIP Mr. Carradine
David Banner

Oh, noooo! RIP, you were a Gem
L

The resurgences of David Carradine was definitely refreshing. He was like a retired hippy/rebel that was as surly as lovable. It's really too bad. I'll join the conspiracy theory as his death is questionable.
teyhtr

It's very odd... I used to sell movie tickets to him at the box office and saw him quite often. To know he killed himself is a very eerie feeling.
Daniel

RIP David Carradine, You were a talented actor who brought others joy every time your presence graced the big screen.
Dir3ct

tragic.
DoomCanoe

NOOO!!! i grew up watching Kung Fu with my dad... I adored this man for his talent and love of film. he will be missed.
Tyler

He will be missed such a great actor. on a side note. It's being reported that it is being ruled an accidental death. Brought on by autoerotic asphyxiation. No disrespect to Mr Carradine.
http://ohaidere.com danielvutran

#41 What is autoerotic asphyxiation?
Marcus

Its wierd, you hear about more and more deaths from autoerotic-asphyxiation. You would think that people would just learn and not do it! Especially as its such an embarrising way to be remembered. Such a shame to hear of his death. He was great in Kill Bill. Also, I heard somewhere that he had jst finsihed his part in the film. Although, I've been reading the news from multiple sources and only heard that once, so its not a confirmation.
bltzie

RIP Mr. Carradine
Janice

Found naked in his closet, he is not suicidal, and there was no forced entry to his room. I don’t think he was murdered, sounds like autoerotic asphyxiation. It is suppose to heighten your pleasure by cutting off your oxygen at the moment off release. There have been a lot of cases; people just don’t like to discuss it. Hopefully for his family’s sake the media will let it go
Stevie Miller

I thought he killed himslef back in the 80's? No, on second thought that was just his carrer he killed. At least Uma Thurman can rest now, he took care of the job for her. Hopefully he busted his nut before he went, it would suck to die from jerking off and not finish. Talk about adding insult to injury. Fast enough to pull the stone from his master's hand, but was he fast enough to pull a nut out before he balcked out and hung himself? Now that would be a true master! Maybe he can have some jam sessions in hell with the guy from INXS. Ok, I'm out.
ADN

#46 That was extremely insensitive. This was a great man and does not deserve that. Seriously people, didn't anyone ever tell you if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all? RIP Mr. Carradine
Stevie Miller

Insensitive? He was a B actor who died trying to enhance a jerkoff session. Decent actor maybe, but one who is known for one show 30 years ago. I'll say something nice, even though he was in Thailand, which is one big whorehouse where anything goes, he at least decided to jerk off rather than going out and paying a ten-year-old to do it for him. On second thought, a ten-year-old's hands would be too small to choke him so that wouldn't do it for him.
TediusTed

RIP but like the others, sounds like foul play.
xerxex

It's been confrimed that the death was an accident, I feel I do not need to eloborate on the subject. BUT I COULD BE WRONG and I HOPE THAT I AM, but it seems as if the death was accidental and the result on stimulation gone awry!
Squiggly

@ Stevie M. He might have been a "B" actor, but it wasn't due to a lack of talent. The man could act and act well. Hollywood isn't the sort of place where actual talent will get you very far unless you get really lucky. You get farther by being a name and hanging with the right crowd. Being connected, as it were. Also, just wait until you're in your 50's or 60's and need to start trying crazy shit to get it up anymore. 30 or 40 years of just plain-old sex can get kinda dull after a while. @ Crapola: Vaughn Bode died in a similar way, but he didn't do it for sexual stimulation - and for the record, Caradine might not have been doing it for sexual reasons, either. He did it for spiritual reasons. Crazy? Maybe. He claimed to have visions afterwards. I think he likened it to some form of meditation, but honestly it still seems like a dumb thing to do. Especially with your kid in the other room. The only difference is that Caradine was naked, and Bode wore a sort of costume when he did it. I would not be surprised if Caradine was doing it for the same reasons Bode was, since both were sort of 60's hippy types who were both into the whole alternative spirituality stuff, though I might be off with Caradine... hard sometimes to separate him from martial arts... He did come off that way to me, tho.
Fisherr

He was a good actor to me. God Rest His Soul in Peace...
RICK

WOW IM SHOCKED I JUST READ THIS NEWS TODAY WHY WOULD HE DO THIS TO HIMSELF. WHAT WAS HE THINKING? HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED AND REMEMBERED. MY DEEPEST CONDOLINSES TO HIS FAMILY. WE LOST A GREAT PERSON.
Shelby

Steve miller thats kinda harsh.I mean i know its obious that you have an autoerotic ashyxiation problem of your own which is why you given Caradine low blows.But its alright because karma's a bitch. And i know someday you too will get caught hanging from your living room ceiling with a magazine a playgirl in front of you! Or youll be in Thailand getting choked by some 10yr old hands because you prefer that you sick S.O.B. Anyways nobody cares what happens to you which is probly why your so jealous of Caradine . it kinda makes sense ...well just some logics for your dumbass!!! R.I.P. he will be missed
http://www.galaxykid.net Johnny Neat

I believe it was an accident as he was found naked with a cord around his neck and genitals. I assume he was practicing Michael Hutchence abstinence. Sad way to be found and to go. I really found him super cool since I was a kid, Kung-Fu anyone?
K

Looks like it may have not been suicide... what as shame. http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/2009/06/04/9675066-ap.html
bozoconnors

Damn. Thanks Mr. Caradine. We'll miss you. You were the original "blase' " bad ass.
booger

snatch the pecker from my hand
Joe C.

RIP. Even lately, he's not acting much but in Kill Bill, his acting was soo good. For those that have no respect to him, I really have to say is that how you want people to talk about you when you're dead? What has he done wrong? He might not be the best actor out there recently, do you at least know how to respect a dead person? To Stevie M., I really want to know how old you are and where did you learn all your sense of sensitivity and respect? We are talking about a dead person here. Do you want us to talk trash about your parents, your relative, your siblings or anyone you care about because they might not have good achievement when they were alive? Is this something you ever want people to joke about. Answer us not. Apologize now!!!! We demand this now.
http://jerryfar.blogspot.com JeRrYFaR

R.I.P. Kill Bill was his comeback and it really looked like he was going places. He will be missed.
Stevie Miller

# 59 If my parents are found in a closet hanging dead with a cord tied around their geitals feel free to say whatever you want because they invited it. This, while sad, is just fucking funny. "Hung Fu" and Snatch the pecker from my hand" were hillarious. C'mon, lighten up. Dave would have thought it was funny, had it not been him wound up like a wicker basket with a hard on. What I want to know is why did he have to use the curtain cord? Now they have to replace the carpet AND the drapes. At least the carpets will match the drapes now.
Stevie Miller

Just think of the hotel's marketing opportunities..."David Carradine slept here. Why not stop in and hang around for a while?" or "Spacious closets big enough for whatever you may need to hang in them." I should charge for these.
Movieraider321

This death was an accident everyone, David Carradine has a fetish called autoeroticism, in which you enjoy choking or not being able to breath while recieving sexual pleasure. In this case it was him with a rope around his neck while masturbating.
Movieraider321

Sorry its not called autoeroticism its called Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation. thanks
AprilCoolsDay

One of the safety rules erotic bondage experts say is that one should never wrap any rope around the neck. They know it's dangerous to play with breathing. Though, erotic bondage and autoerotic-asphyxiation are two different things.
joe

If you kill yourself masturbating, you are just opening yourself up to criticism and jokes. Being dead doesn't absolve you, nor does being dead automatically garner you respect. The idea that you have to respect someone because they are dead or that you will accrue karma as a result is ridiculous. I guess everyone is supposed to sit idly by and pretend he didn't die in a perverse, weird, disrespectful way so that everyone thinks it is normal and maybe their kids will try it cause its so flippin normal as well.
John J

Think about the poor maid who found him next morning trussed up like a turkey. She's likely been scared for life. If you're gonna carry out that kind of stuff do it in your own closet.
http://www.jbarcelona.de JPanther

Very sad that he is dead....
god

#46 Settle down. I think your moms calling you. It's medicine time. and you seem to know alot about this hanging yourself and masturbating thing you fuckin weirdo.
Stevie Miller

I'm a wierdo? What about all the people who think hanging to death while jerking off is normal and makes you a hero? Don't have to be a kid to think this is funny. Dumbass couln't just pay a hooker. What's more embarassing, getting caught with a prostitute or getting photos of your corpse and your genitals tied to a coat rack? Stop talking about the man like he was a hero. He was a decent actor who died in a very unfortunate, very embarassing way. Not a tragedy in the least. The Air France flight was a tragedy. This was a moron who tried to hold out for a nut just a little too long.
Stevie Miller

Just noticed the irony of the title of the film he was in Thailand to do... "Stretch" seems fitting
http://hookahbowl.com grasshopper

so many Kung Fu fans (such as myself) wanted to grow up to be like David Carradine...
Steve Miller's biggest fan

This is the same shit America was put through with Heath Ledger. Hell, I liked Heath Ledger in "Patriot" and I liked David Carradine in the "Kill Bill" movies, but they weren't close, personal friends to me OR YOU. Yeah, if you have a soul, you will empathize with Carradine's family, but saying he was a "great man" is a stretch. Was he even much of an actor? Take a look at his filmography... a WHOLE LOTTA chaff with a few memorable moments here and there. Just remember: He fucked Bruce Lee out of the lead for "Kung Fu"... there ain't no polite way to put it. By the by, two of his wives have confirmed Carridine was into some freaky shit. I feel bad for the guy... he died a stupid death in an act that the masses won't be able to help but sensationalize. THERE IS NO FOUL PLAY... that line of thought is a desperate attempt to save some face by the family. I lost my 14 year old cousin in a motorcycle death yesterday. He ran into a guide wire and apparently broke his neck instantly. His death was stupid... there is no warm, fuzzy way to spin it. My cousin was a good kid, but kinda simple. He was likely never gonna be a "great man." He will be mourned, but life goes on. Get some damn perspective, America! Carradine should not be beatified! Resist the urge to be so damy hyper-sensitive! IS THIS HOW ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WANTS TO BE REMEMBERED! I bet Mr. Carradine would have chosen better.... Peace.
Stevie Miller

#72 You still can. Just find a rope and a closet with a sturdy hanger pole.