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David Carradine

ACTOR · BORN 1936 · DIED 2009

David Carradine

Born
8 December 1936, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
Died
3 June 2009
Known for
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (2004), Big Stan (2007), Bird on a Wire (1990)

35 archived facts 6 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026

David Carradine (8 December 1936 – 3 June 2009) was an actor best known for Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and Big Stan.

35 Interesting Facts About David Carradine

Interesting Facts (2)

  1. #001

    His first arrest was for assaulting a police officer, when he was in his early 20s. He pleaded to a lesser charge of disturbing the peace.

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  2. #002

    He played truant from school at age 13; was sent to a reform school for a while, and spent time in foster homes in Massachusetts.

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Production Story (6)

  1. #003

    His first series, Kung Fu (1972), was canceled after the third season, due to injuries he sustained on the set.

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  2. #004

    Knew absolutely nothing about the practice of the martial arts, at the same time he was starring on Kung Fu (1972), instead it was his dancing experience that convinced him to accept the role.

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  3. #005

    Created several flutes for the movie Circle of Iron (1978), one of which he later played in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003).

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  4. #006

    Quentin Tarantino had originally envisioned the character "Bill" in the "Kill Bill" films as a suave "James Bond-type" man and had first approached Warren Beatty for the role. Beatty turned it down and suggested that he get David for the role.

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  5. #007

    Despite high ratings, his second series Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993) was canceled in early 1997, because he decided to call it quits.

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  6. #008

    Was seriously considered for the role of Duke Leto Atreides in Alejandro Jodorowsky's unmade adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic novel "Dune".

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Behind the Scenes (1)

  1. #009

    He sang duet vocals on his Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993) co-star Chris Potter's song "Kung Fu Blues".

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Characters & Cast (4)

  1. #010

    Because of his look, his stint on the television series Kung Fu (1972) and his fascination with Eastern philosophies, people often assumed that he was at least part Asian. He wasn't.

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  2. #011

    In Bound for Glory (1976), Carradine played a legendary folk singer, in real-life, he was also a folk singer, before becoming a successful actor.

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  3. #012

    His father, John Carradine, along with half-brothers Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine all guest-starred on an episode of The Fall Guy (1981), with him in 1984. Sadly, this was John's last appearance with his family.

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  4. #013

    Both his father, John Carradine and one of his half-brothers, Robert Carradine, appeared on at least one episode of Kung Fu (1972), with him.

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Career & Awards (7)

  1. #014

    Has appeared in more than 200 films and television dramas.

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  2. #015

    Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Kwai Chang Caine on the television series Kung Fu (1972).

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  3. #016

    Was an honorary member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

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  4. #017

    Before Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993), he was a celebrity spokesperson for Lipton Ice Tea.

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  5. #018

    His manager was Chuck Binder.

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  6. #019

    Before he was an actor, he was inducted into the United States Army, where he drew pictures for training aids.

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  7. #020

    Began his contract career for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1969.

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Life & Family (15)

  1. #021

    Studied drama at San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California.

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  2. #022

    As a teenager, he moved back to California - residing in Oakland, in the early 1950s.

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  3. #023

    Was arrested in December 1994 for breaking a glass window at Rogers Center (formerly Skydome) in Toronto. He claimed he did this to avoid being mobbed by fans after a concert by The Rolling Stones.

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  4. #024

    Stepdaughter: Olivia Jane Bierman (born 1998).

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  5. #025

    Before he was an actor, he worked as a manual laborer, where he began an open experiment with drugs.

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  6. #026

    Just before John Carradine died, late in 1988, David and brother Keith Carradine were at his bedside. Hours before he was stricken, he had climbed the 328 steep steps of Milan's Gothic cathedral, the Duomo. He had just finished a film in South Africa and was about to begin a European tour. David was with him, reading William Shakespeare to him--by this time John was unable to speak--when he died.

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  7. #027

    Legally changed his name from John to David, to not only become a professional actor, but also to avoid confusion with his famous father.

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  8. #028

    Had a lifelong fascination with Eastern philosophies and culture which resulted in him writing the book "Spirit of the Shaolin" about the philosophy of Kung Fu.

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  9. #029

    His ex-wife Marina Anderson tried unsuccessfully suing him in 2003 for $300,000, alleging that she got him his role in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), and that he gave no compensation in return. He was successfully represented in that matter by Vicki Roberts.

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  10. #030

    Was an alcohol abuser for many years, until he entered rehab. He was sober at age 59.

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  11. #031

    In his autobiography, he states that after his father's wife had a series of miscarriages, he discovered that she had had repeated illegal abortions without his knowledge. This rendered her unable to carry a baby to full term. It was with this backdrop of marital discord that, at age 5, David almost succeeded in committing suicide by hanging.

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  12. #032

    His fourth arrest was in 1974 for attempted burglary and malicious mischief. While under the influence of peyote, a nude Carradine began wandering around his Laurel Canyon neighborhood. He broke into a neighbor's home, shattering a window and cutting his arm. He then bled all over the homeowner's piano. At some time during this episode he accosted two young women, allegedly assaulting one while asking, or demanding of her, if she was a witch. The police literally followed a trail of blood to his home. The burglary charges were dropped, as nothing was found to be missing, while Carradine pleaded "no contest" to the mischief charge and was given probation. He was never charged with assault, but the young woman sued him for $1.1 million and was awarded $20,000.

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  13. #033

    When he was seven, his parents were divorced and his father left California to escape court actions in the alimony settlement.

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  14. #034

    Convicted of drunk driving in October 1989. Served 48 hours in jail and did community service.

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  15. #035

    He married his fifth wife, Annie Bierman at the home of Michael Madsen. Vicki Roberts officiated and pronounced them husband and wife.

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Related pages

  • Damian Chapa — David Carradine comes up in the facts on that page
  • Bruce Lee — David Carradine comes up in the facts on that page
  • Kill Bill: Vol. 2 — David Carradine comes up in the facts on that page

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Sources & editorial notes

Reference databases

  • Wikipedia English Wikipedia article
  • IMDb IMDb name page (biography and trivia)

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