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David Carradine : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (Kung Fu)

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David Carradine

Kwai Chang Caine in Kung Fu

Photos David Carradine Birth name: John Arthur Carradine
Birth date: 1936/12/08
Date of death : 2009/06/03 (73 years old)
Birth place : Hollywood
Height: 1.84 m

French Traduire

Biography for David Carradine

arradine 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 room’s 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.

Photos

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Filmography

Title Role
Fashion: The Movie (2008) (filming) Carlo Video
Kandisha (2008) (post-production) The American
Chatham (2008) (post-production) Captain Zeb
Money to Burn (2007) (post-production) Klau
Richard III (2008) (completed) Buckingham
Buster's Class Project (2007) (completed) Vargas
Permanent Vacation (2007) (completed) Old Man
Big Stan (2008)
The Trident (2007) The Shopkeeper
How to Rob a Bank (2007) Nick
Treasure Raiders (2007) Pierre
Camille (2007) Cowboy Bob
Fall Down Dead (2007) Wade
Epic Movie (2007) Museum Curator
In Case of Emergency Guru Danny (1 episode, 2007)
Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter (2007) Mikhail
Homo Erectus (2007) Mookoo
Saints Row (2006) (VG) (voice) William Sharp
Danny Phantom Clockwork (2 episodes, 2005-2006)
Final Move (2006) (post-production) Captain Baker
Miracle at Sage Creek (2005) (post-production) Ike
Brothers in Arms (2005) Driscoll
Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon (2004) Grand Master
Last Goodbye (2004) Fred McGillicuddie
Hair High (2004) (voice) Mr. Snerd
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) Bill - 'Snake Charmer'
Dead & Breakfast (2004) Mr. Wise
Bala perdida (2003/I) Michael Morrison
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) Bill
American Reel (2003) James Lee Springer
The Outsider (2002) (TV) Doctor Lucas Henry
Wheatfield with Crows (2002) Willem Vincent Sr.
Balto II: Wolf Quest (2002) (V) (voice) Nava the Wolf Shaman
Out of the Wilderness (2001) (TV)
The Defectors (2001) (TV) Garret
Warden of Red Rock (2001) (TV) Mike Sullivan
G.O.D. (2001) Norman Williams
Largo Winch: The Heir (2001) (TV) NĂŠrio Winch
Dangerous Curves (2000) Lemmy
By Dawn's Early Light (2000) (TV) Nick Decker
The Donor (2000) Mike Riordan
Down 'n Dirty (2000) Gil Garner
Natural Selection (2000) Dehoven
Nightfall (2000) (V) Gnomen
Knocking on Death's Door (1999) Doc Hadley
Kiss of a Stranger (1999) Sean O'Leary
The Puzzle in the Air (1999) The General
Shepherd (1999) Ventriloquist
Zoo (1999) Drexel Turnquist
An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island (1998) (V) (voice) Wulisso Manhattan Island (USA)
The Effects of Magic (1998) The Cabinet Maker
The New Swiss Family Robinson (1998) Sheldon Blake
Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998) (V) Luke Enright
Nosferatu: The First Vampire (1998/I) (TV) Host
Light Speed (1998)
Lovers and Liars (1998) Mr. Montague
Martian Law (1998) (TV)
Sublet (1998) Max Kaufman
The Rage (1997/I) Lucas McDermott
Lost Treasure of Dos Santos (1997) (TV) Martin Shaw
Last Stand at Saber River (1997) (TV) Duane Kidston
Too Hot to Skate (1997) (TV) Mr. Big
Full Blast (1997) Maceo
Macon County Jail (1997) Coley
Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys (1996) TV Series (voice) (uncredited) Additional Voices
Dead Center (1994) Chavez
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993) TV Series Kwai Chang Caine
Bitter End (1993)
Frontera Sur (1993)
Kill Zone (1993) Col. Horace Wiggins
Distant Justice (1992) Joe Foley
Animal Instincts (1992) William Lamberti
Roadside Prophets (1992) Othello
Night Rhythms (1992) Vincent
Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992) The Beggar
Double Trouble (1992/I) Mr. C
Evil Toons (1992) Gideon Fisk
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1992) (TV) Kwai Chang Caine
The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991) (TV) Caine
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1991) Jozek Mardulak/Count Dracula
Brotherhood of the Gun (1991) (TV) Artemis McBride
Deadly Surveillance (1991) (TV) Lieutenant
Águila y el caballo, El (1991)
Capital Punishment (1991) Michael Maltin
Field of Fire (1991) Gen. Corman
Karate Cop (1991) Dad
Project Eliminator (1991)
Sonny Boy (1990) Pearl
Future Zone (1990) John Tucker
Bird on a Wire (1990) Eugene Sorenson
Huellas del lince, Las (1990)
Dune Warriors (1990) Michael
Future Force (1990) John Tucker
Martial Law (1990) Dalton Rhodes
Midnight Fear (1990) Hanley
Night Children (1990)
Think Big (1990) Sweeney
Warlords (1989) Dow
Try This One for Size (1989) Bradley
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II (1989) Dark One
The Cover Girl and the Cop (1989) (TV) Slade
Crime of Crimes (1989) Captain
The Mad Bunch (1989) Professor Foxwood
Nowhere to Run (1989) Harmon
Tropical Snow (1989) Oskar
Crime Zone (1988) Jason
I Saw What You Did (1988) (TV) Stephen
Animal Protector (1988) Col. Whitlock
Fatal Secret (1988) Michael LeWinter
Open Fire (1988) Joe Rouke
Run for Your Life (1988) Major Charles Forsythe
The Misfit Brigade (1987) Col. Von Weisshagen
Six Against the Rock (1987) (TV) Bernard 'Bernie' Paul Coy
Heartbeat (1987) (V) Man Playing Dice
Oceans of Fire (1986) (TV) J.C. Busch
Behind Enemy Lines (1986) Col. James Cooper
North and South, Book II (1986) (mini) TV Series Justin LaMotte
Kung Fu: The Movie (1986) (TV) Kwai Chang Caine
Armed Response (1986) Jim Roth
North and South (1985) (mini) TV Series Justin LaMotte
The Bad Seed (1985) (TV) Leroy Jessup
On the Line (1984) Bryant
The Warrior and the Sorceress (1984) Kain
Jealousy (1984) (TV) Bobby Dee
A Distant Scream (1984) (TV) Michael/Harris Distant Scream (UK: series title)
Americana (1983) The American Soldier
Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) Rawley Wilkes
Trick or Treats (1982) Richard
Q (1982) Detective Shepard
Safari 3000 (1982) Eddie Mills
High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane (1980) (TV) Ben Irons
Cloud Dancer (1980) Brad Randolph
The Long Riders (1980) Cole Younger
Gauguin the Savage (1980) (TV) Paul Gauguin
Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider (1979) Charlie Swattle
Je te tiens, tu me tiens par la barbichette (1979) Le pratiquant des Arts Martiaux Hairs (USA)
Mr. Horn (1979) (TV) Tom Horn
Circle of Iron (1978) The Blind Man/Monkeyman/Death/Changsha
Deathsport (1978) Kaz Oshay
Gray Lady Down (1978) Capt. Gates
The Serpent's Egg (1977) Abel Rosenberg
Thunder and Lightning (1977) Harley Thomas
Bound for Glory (1976) Woody Guthrie
Cannonball (1976) Coy 'Cannonball' Buckman
You and Me (1975) Zeto
Death Race 2000 (1975) Frankenstein
Mean Streets (1973) Drunk
The Long Goodbye (1973) (uncredited) Inmate
Kung Fu (1972) TV Series Kwai Chang Caine
Boxcar Bertha (1972) 'Big' Bill Shelly
Kung Fu (1972) (TV) Caine
Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring (1971) (TV) Flack
Macho Callahan (1970) David Mountford
The McMasters (1970) White Feather
The Good Guys and the Bad Guys (1969) Waco (gang leader)
Young Billy Young (1969) Jesse Boone
Heaven with a Gun (1969) Coke Beck (Asa's son)
The Violent Ones (1967) Lucas Barnes
Johnny Belinda (1967) (TV) Locky
Shane (1966) TV Series Shane (1966)
Too Many Thieves (1966) Felix
Bus Riley's Back in Town (1965) Stretch
Taggart (1964) Cal Dodge

Trivia

Lived 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.

Family

Spouse : 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

  • Creation date: 01/07/2003 by abdest
  • Last update: 03/06/2009 by haley29

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