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: Vol. 2 (2004), Death Race (2008), Crank: High Voltage (2009)
70 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
19 Interesting Facts About David Carradine
- #003
In 1974, an incident while under the influence of peyote led to Carradine's fourth arrest. Wandering naked in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood, the actor entered a neighbor's house, broke a window and cut his arm. He then bled onto the owner's piano and harassed two young women. Police followed the blood trail and caught him at his home, and the incident resulted in his arrest on charges of attempted burglary and malicious mischief.
- #007
David Carradine, who was arrested in December 1994 for breaking a glass window at Toronto's Rogers Centre (then known as Skydome), claimed he did it to avoid being mobbed by fans after a The Rolling Stones concert. The incident stands as an example of the difficulties he faced as a celebrity and his efforts to cope with crowds. Carradine's defense drew wide attention in the tabloid press of the time.
- #014
David Carradine held a lifelong admiration for Eastern philosophies and culture. This interest inspired him to write his book 'Spirit of the Shaolin', which examines Kung Fu philosophy in depth. Carradine's work shows that he was not only an actor but also a thinker and writer with deep knowledge.
- #015
David Carradine died on June 3, 2009, in a hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand. At the time of his death he was working on a film called 'Stretch'. His sudden and tragic death caused great sorrow in the film world and came at a time when Carradine's career had not yet ended. His death was described by his fans and colleagues as a profound loss.
- #016
David Carradine remained healthy and physically active until his death by accidental asphyxiation at the age of 72. This made his death unexpected and tragic. Despite his age, Carradine led an energetic life, which made his death all the more shocking.
- #018
David Carradine's funeral was held ten days after his death, and celebrities such as James Cromwell, Tom Selleck, Steve Railsback, Frances Fisher, Lucy Liu and Vicki Roberts attended the ceremony. Their attendance shows how respected a figure Carradine was in the film world. The funeral was seen by his colleagues and friends as a sign of their loyalty to him.
- #020
David Carradine began training in martial arts after appearing in the 'Kung Fu' series. This training allowed him to acquire the physical skills the series required and also deepened his interest in Eastern philosophy. In the process, Carradine developed himself not only as an actor but also as a martial arts student.
- #023
David Carradine's first arrest came in his early twenties for assaulting a police officer. In that case he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of disturbing the peace. These early legal troubles reveal the rebellious spirit of his youth and his conflicts with authority.
- #025
After his death, David Carradine was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in Los Angeles, California. The cemetery is known as the final resting place of many famous names, and Carradine's burial there ensures he is remembered as part of Hollywood. His grave has become an important site visited by fans.
- #036
David Carradine was an honorary member of the Fraternal Order of Police. This membership shows his good relations with the police force and his commitment to the community. Through his ties to such organizations, Carradine expanded both his personal and his professional circles.
- #039
David Carradine is the only actor to date to have appeared in films by three different master directors: Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Quentin Tarantino. This unique achievement is proof of his acting ability and his skill at adapting to different cinematic languages. Carradine contributed to each of these directors' visions and earned a special place in film history.
- #041
David Carradine dropped out of school at age 13 and spent time in a reformatory as a result. He also spent time with foster families in Massachusetts. This difficult period of his youth led him to develop an independent and rebellious character and made him resilient against the hardships he faced later in life.
- #043
David Carradine was a heavy smoker for much of his adult life. This habit may have harmed his health and may have contributed to his death. Although Carradine struggled with his nicotine addiction, he never fully overcame the habit.
- #046
David Carradine remained good friends with Chris Potter, with whom he worked on 'Kung Fu: The Legend Continues', both during and after the series. This friendship was a sign of the harmonious working environment on set and reflected the respect and affection between the two actors. Carradine continued to regard Potter as a close friend.
- #047
David Carradine sang duet vocals on 'Kung Fu Blues', a song by his 'Kung Fu: The Legend Continues' co-star Chris Potter. This collaboration shows that the two actors worked together not only on screen but also in music. Carradine's musical talent found an opportunity to show itself in projects of this kind.
- #052
David Carradine was the second child in a family of five children. This crowded family environment led him to experience both hardships and solidarity during his childhood years. His relationships with his siblings also played an important role later in his life.
- #059
In his youth, in the early 1950s, David Carradine returned to California and began living in Oakland. This period was a new beginning in his life and allowed him to continue his education. Oakland became an important center in Carradine's youth.
- #064
David Carradine was a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). This union membership protected his rights in the television and radio industry and made him part of a professional solidarity. Through this organization, Carradine followed developments in the industry.
- #066
In September 2004, David Carradine was to attend the Armaggeddon Pulp Culture Expo Convention in Wellington, New Zealand, as a special 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' guest. However, due to filming commitments, he announced at the last minute that he would be unable to attend. Although this disappointed his fans, it showed Carradine's dedication to his work.
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