David Carradine Kwai Chang Caine in Kung Fu
Birth name: John Arthur Carradine Biography for David Carradinearradine is the eldest son of the legendary character actor John Carradine and now presides over an acting family that includes brothers Keith Carradine, Robert Carradine and Michael Bowen as well as his daughter Kansas Carradine and nieces Ever Carradine and Martha Plimpton.
He was born in Hollywood and educated at San Francisco State College where he studied music theory and composition. It was while writing music for the Drama Department's annual revues that he discovered his own passion for the stage, joining a Shakespearian repertory company and learning his craft on his feet.
After a two-year stint in the Army, he found work in New York as a commercial artist and later found fame on Broadway in "The Deputy" and "The Royal Hunt of The Sun" opposite Christopher Plummer. With that experience he returned to Hollywood, landing the short-lived TV series "Shane" (1966) before being tapped to star opposite Barbara Hershey in Martin Scorsese's first Hollywood film, Boxcar Bertha (1972). The iconic "Kung Fu" (1972) followed, catapulting Carradine to superstardom for the next three years, until he left the series to pursue his film career.
That career now includes more than 100 feature films, a couple of dozen television movies, a whole range of theater on and off Broadway, and another hit series, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1992) (TV). Carradine received the Best Actor Award from the National Board of Film Review as well as a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Woody Guthrie in Hal Ashby's Bound for Glory (1976), and won critical acclaim for his work as Cole Younger in The Long Riders (1980). "Kung Fu" also received seven Emmy nominations in its first season, including one for Carradine as Best Actor. In addition he won the People's Prize at the Cannes Film Festival's "Director's Fortnight" for his work on _Americana (1981)_ , and a second Golden Globe nomination for his supporting role in "North and South" (1985) (mini).
Among his other most notable film credits are Gray Lady Down (1978), Mean Streets (1973), Bird on a Wire (1990), The Long Goodbye (1973), The Serpent's Egg (1977) and Circle of Iron (1978).
He recently returned to the motion picture screen in what could be his greatest performance to date, playing the title role in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) (Miramax), for which he received his fourth Golden Globe nomination.
Carradine has also continued his devotion to music, and has recorded some 60 tracks from various musical genres and sung in several movies. Carradine makes his home in Los Angeles with his wife Annie, her four children and their two dogs.
David Carradine follows musical studies at the San Francisco State college and discovers a vocation as an actor by participating as a musician in the shows of the dramatic art section of his university. He then joined a Shakespearean repertoire company, in which he acquired the bases of his future profession on the job.
After having fulfilled his military obligations, David Carradine works as an advertising designer in New York and then returned to the theatrical scene by interpreting The Deputy on Broadway and by giving the reply to Christopher Plummer in The Royal Hunt of the Sun. With these successes, he returned to Hollywood to appear in his first film, Taggart (1965) by R.G. Springsteen and participate in the Shane series (1966) before holding alongside Barbara Hershey the star of Martin's first feature film Scorsese, Bertha Boxcar (1972).
The same year, he created the character of Kwai Chang Caine for the Kung Fu television series. Originally developed by and for Bruce Lee, this soap opera was an instant success, winning in its first season no less than seven quotes at Emmy. Known to the general public, David Carradine returns to the cinema by playing the singer composer libertarian Woody Guthrie in En Route for La Groire (1976) by Hal Ashby. This performance earned him the National Board of Review Prize and a quote at the Golden Globe.
Noticed by director Ingmar Bergman, David Carradine won in 1977 the role of an American Jewish trapezist in the snake egg. Three years later, he found his two brothers Keith and Robert for the filming of the gang of the James brothers (1980), a Western by Walter Hill. In 1981, he tried the realization with Americana, a drama which he interpreted himself and which won the public prize at the fortnight of the directors of the Cannes Film Festival.
The 80s are less flourishing for the actor who continues at high speed of series B like Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) with Chuck Norris, Rio Abajo (1984) alongside Victoria Abril or Armed Response (1986), where he gives the reply to Lee Van Cleef. David Carradine temporarily reconnects with success by launching himself from the kits of Mel Gibson in the action comedy like a bird on the branch (1990), but immediately dresses in productions intended directly for the video department. In 2002, Quentin Tarantino offered him a golden role, that of the criminal Bill, head of the detachment of murderous vipers, which is confronted Uma Thurman in Kill Bill.
David Carradine was found hanged in his hotel room on June 3, 2009 in Bangkok in Thailand.
David Carradine was an American actor born December 8, 1936 in Hollywood, California, and died on June 3, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. He was known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the "Kung Fu" television series of the 70s, as well as for his work in exploitation cinema and martial arts.
Carradine grew up in a family of artists; His father was actor John Carradine, and his brothers were Keith and Robert Carradine, also actors. After doing his acting in the 1960s, he played in many films, including "Death Race 2000" and "The Long Riders". He also played in television productions, such as "Quincy" and "Hawaii Five-0".
Carradine was also an experienced martial artist and an accomplished musician. He practiced various forms of martial arts, including karate, tai chi and kung fu, and he wrote and recorded several albums of folk music and instrumental music.
Despite his successful career, Carradine has often been criticized for his controversial behavior and her extravagant lifestyle. He was involved in several scandals, including a matter of domestic violence, and he had problems with alcohol and drugs.
In 2009, Carradine was found dead in his hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand, in mysterious circumstances. Police said that he had been found hanging from his roomâs wardrobe, but some suggested that it could be a dangerous sexual accident. His death aroused great media interest and was widely covered in newspapers and on television.
In summary, David Carradine was a talented and versatile actor, but also controversial, who left an indelible imprint on the world of cinema and martial arts. Filmography
TriviaLived with Barbara Hershey. (She added Seagull to her name during this time.) They have a son whom they named Free Carradine at birth, but who has since changed his name to Tom Carradine. [1972-1975]
Convicted of drunk driving in October 1989. Served 48 hours in jail and did community service.
Has a lifelong fascination with Eastern philosphies and culture which resulted in him writing the book "Spirit Of The Shaolin" about the philosophy of Kung Fu.
Began studying the Martial Arts after getting cast in "Kung Fu" (1972).
Studied drama at San Francisco State University.
September 2004: Was suppose to attended the Armaggeddon Pulp Culture Expo Convention in Wellington, New Zealand as a special "Kill Bill" guest but had to pull out at the last minute due to filming commitments.
To date, he is the only actor who has appeared in films directed by Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Quentin Tarantino. FamilySpouse : Annie Bierman (26 December 2004 - present), Coco d'Este (20 February 1998 - 12 December 2001) (divorced), Gail Jensen (4 December 1988 - 1997) (divorced), Linda Gilbert (1977 - 1983) (divorced) 1 child, Donna Lee Becht (December 1960 - ?) (divorced) 1 child
Son of John Carradine; half-brother of Keith Carradine Robert Carradine and Michael Bowen, brother of Bruce Carradine.
Uncle of actresses Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine.
Daughter: Calista Miranda Carradine (b. 1962).
Daughter: Kansas Anne Carradine (b. 1978).
Brother of Bruce Carradine. Author of the card
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