David Carradine found dead in Bangers!

[panick]

David Carraradine star of "Kung Fu" found hung in BKK

RIP "Grasshopper"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090604/ap_ ... _carradine

[jingjai]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090604/ap_ ... _carradine

Actor David Carradine Found Dead in Bangkok

22 mins ago

BANGKOK – Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" who also had a wide-ranging career in the movies, has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok. A news report said he was found hanged in his hotel room and was believed to have committed suicide.

A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, Michael Turner, confirmed the death of the 72-year-old actor. He said the embassy was informed by Thai authorities that Carradine died either late Wednesday or early Thursday, but he could not provide further details out of consideration for his family.

The Web site of the Thai newspaper The Nation cited unidentified police sources as saying Carradine was found Thursday hanged in his luxury hotel room.

It said Carradine was in Bangkok to shoot a movie and had been staying at the hotel since Tuesday.

The newspaper said Carradine could not be contacted after he failed to appear for a meal with the rest of the film crew on Wednesday, and that his body was found by a hotel maid at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The name of the movie was not immediately available.

It said a preliminary police investigation found that he had hanged himself with a cord used with the room's curtains. It cited police as saying he had been dead at least 12 hours and there was no sign that he had been assaulted.

A police officer at Bangkok's Lumpini precinct station would not confirm the identity of the dead man, but said the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel had reported that a male guest killed himself there.

Carradine was a leading member of a venerable Hollywood acting family that included his father, character actor John Carradine, and brother Keith.

In all, he appeared in more than 100 feature films with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Hal Ashby. One of his prominent early film roles was as singer Woody Guthrie in Ashby's 1976 biopic "Bound for Glory."

But he was best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin priest traveling the 1800s American frontier West in the TV series "Kung Fu," which aired in 1972-75.

He reprised the role in a mid-1980s TV movie and played Caine's grandson in the 1990s syndicated series "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues."

He returned to the top in recent years as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's two-part saga "Kill Bill."

The character, the worldly father figure of a pack of crack assassins, was a shadowy presence in 2003's "Kill Bill — Vol. 1." In that film, one of Bill's former assassins (Uma Thurman) begins a vengeful rampage against her old associates.

In "Kill Bill — Vol. 2," released in 2004, Thurman's character comes face to face again with Bill himself. The role brought Carradine a Golden Globe nomination as best supporting actor.

Bill was a complete contrast to his TV character Kwai Chang Caine, the soft-spoken refugee from a Shaolin monastery, serenely spreading wisdom and battling bad guys in the Old West. He left after three seasons, saying the show had started to repeat itself.

After "Kung Fu," Carradine starred in the 1975 cult flick "Death Race 2000." He starred with Liv Ullmann in Bergman's "The Serpent's Egg" in 1977 and with his brothers in the 1980 Western "The Long Riders."

But after the early 1980s, he spent two decades doing mostly low-budget films. Tarantino's films changed that.

"All I've ever needed since I more or less retired from studio films a couple of decades ago ... is just to be in one," Carradine told The Associated Press in 2004.

"There isn't anything that Anthony Hopkins or Clint Eastwood or Sean Connery or any of those old guys are doing that I couldn't do," he said. "All that was ever required was somebody with Quentin's courage to take and put me in the spotlight."

One thing remained a constant after "Kung Fu": Carradine's interest in Oriental herbs, exercise and philosophy. He wrote a personal memoir called "Spirit of Shaolin" and continued to make instructional videos on tai chi and other martial arts.

In the 2004 interview, Carradine talked candidly about his past boozing and narcotics use, but said he had put all that behind him and stuck to coffee and cigarettes.

"I didn't like the way I looked, for one thing. You're kind of out of control emotionally when you drink that much. I was quicker to anger."

"You're probably witnessing the last time I will ever answer those questions," Carradine said. "Because this is a regeneration. It is a renaissance. It is the start of a new career for me.

"It's time to do nothing but look forward."

___

Associated Press writer Polly Anderson in New York contributed to this report.

[Ter]

RIP DC can only look forward to the re runs now

[virginprune]

RIP....Grasshopper finally has eyes like mine

[Astana]

At least it wasn't off a balcony in Pattaya!

RIP

[beer monkey]

But was naked..according to another report by the BBC., why o why...we will never know.

[beer monkey]

autoerotic asphyxiation...? Reports of his Genitals where also tied up with the same bit of cord.

[thai 2 on]

yes, his penis was tied by a shoe-lace to his neck . His hands were bound by cord ( behind his back ) and also tied to his neck. Yep Dano, suicide foe sure. at least he didn't take the LEAP.

Good Bye Grasshopper

[stoneman]

Bangkok Post Version

Carradine may be victim of auto-eroticism

By: BangkokPost.com, AFP
Published: 5/06/2009 at 02:25 PM

American actor David Carradine might have died from auto-erotic asphyxiation, Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) director Porntip Rojanasunan said on Friday.

The 72-year-old actor's body was found inside a closet in his suite in Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel about 11am on Thursday.

Police said the body was found curled up inside the wardrobe with one end of a shoelace tied around his penis and the other end fastened around his neck. Both of his hands were bound with a cord which was also tied around his neck.

He could have been be trying auto-erotic asphyxiation to gain sexual pleasure and may have accidentally suffocated, Kunying Porntip said. Other evidence supporting this theory included a penis shrine inside his room.

She did not believe anyone else was involved, but admitted she could not be 100 per cent sure.

Police said the famous actor, who initially gained fame through the TV series Kung Fu may have died from accidental suffocation. They were also investigating and suspected suicide

Carradine's representative and family members told the press they believed his death to be accidental and not suicide.

Metropolitan police chief Lt Gen Vorapong Chiewpreecha said the rope attached to his his genitals and the one around his neck were tied together.

"Under these circumstances we cannot be sure that he committed suicide, but he may have died while masturbating," he said.

Police examiners completed an autopsy on Carradine on Friday, but did not release the conclusions.

An initial medical examination revealed Carradine died from a sudden lack of oxygen. His body showed no signs of a struggle, a hospital worker who had read the report told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"He died from acute lack of air. Forensic workers have looked at nail and tissue samples to check if the DNA matches DNA found on the rope,'' the source said.

If the samples matched, it would suggest Carradine had tied the ropes himself.

Dr Nanthana Sirisap, director of Chulalongkorn Hospital's autopsy centre, said the postmortem examination was necessary because of the "unusual circumstances surrounding Carradine's death".

"This is not a normal case,'' she said.

Carradine recently starred in Quentin Tarantino's two-part movie Kill Bill.

His first major role was as the fugitive Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine wandering the American West in the hugely popular 1970s TV drama series Kung Fu - a role which was originally proposed for martial arts legend Bruce Lee. He subsequently appeared in scores of movies and television shows.

Carradine arrived in Bangkok a few days ago to star in a new movie.

[aznyron]

Sorry i can not buy that he is 72 not 22 i doubt very much if he could even get it up IMCTO he was murdered you don't tie your hands behind your back it a feat only Harry Houdini might be able to do
and tie your penis along with wrapping the rope around your neck and hiding in a closet no less
so my reply to those investigators get another job you don't qualify for this one or is it to save face
My condolences go out to his family may he rest in peace

[beer monkey]

Sorry i can not buy that he is 72 not 22 i doubt very much if he could even get it up IMCTO he was murdered you don't tie your hands behind your back it a feat only Harry Houdini might be able to do
and tie your penis along with wrapping the rope around your neck and hiding in a closet no less

Ok a high rent joint....so ID would have been left at the desk and cameras everywhere, not impossible i know, but a little risky, could of had a helper(seen vids on it) that would release you at the last minute, but could of all gone wrong
and we got 2 threads on this.

[RALPHCUSENS]

Sorry i can not buy that he is 72 not 22 i doubt very much if he could even get it up IMCTO he was murdered you don't tie your hands behind your back it a feat only Harry Houdini might be able to do
and tie your penis along with wrapping the rope around your neck and hiding in a closet no less
so my reply to those investigators get another job you don't qualify for this one or is it to save face
My condolences go out to his family may he rest in peace

Ron, I would agree, if it were as you stated, unless I missed something, it does not say his hands were tied behind his back, and if they were, he would have difficulty masturbating, as the police suggest he may have been doing!!!!

[Roy]

Come on Ralph, it would be no fun on here at all if Ron didn't see a CIA/Jewish/Bush conspiracy behind every door

[beer monkey]

Other evidence supporting this theory included a penis shrine inside his room

How is that evidence....

[RALPHCUSENS]

Other evidence supporting this theory included a penis shrine inside his room

How is that evidence....

I don't know BM, But if I were you, I'd change my avatar, people may get the wrong idea You little Tommy Tanker

[mortiboy]

What is strange to me,Masturbating in the wardrobe,Tied up having some self sex enjoyment, when theres all them sexy tarts everywhere.
With all his money,his world is his oyster!......What a waste!

[wazza]

maybe his sexual fantasy was just INXS of what he could preform.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/st ... 85,00.html

[izzix]

David Carradine Bangkok death mystery: manager claims 'foul play'
David Carradine's death was a result of "foul play", his manager has claimed as director Quentin Tarantino said the actor would have relished dying in such mysterious circumstances.


By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor

Published: 3:34PM BST 05 Jun 2009

David Carradine manager suspects foul play

David Carradine was found dead in the wardrobe of his Bangkok hotel room Photo: AFP

Carradine, 72, was discovered naked and hanged in the wardrobe of his Bangkok hotel room on Thursday morning. A rope was tied around his neck and another around his genitals. An autopsy has yet to determine the cause of death and Thai police said they could not rule out suicide or a sex game gone wrong.

The star's personal manager, Chuck Binder, rejected the suicide theory but told CNN's Larry individual: "I don't know if you want to call it accidental.

Related Articles

*
"I got some some calls from Thailand today from a producer that worked with him. I don't want to get into the middle of this whole investigation, but this guy said to me for sure there was foul play."

Tarantino, who revived Carradine's career by casting him in Kill Bill, described the star of 1970s series Kung Fu as "one of Hollywood's great, mad geniuses". Asked if Carradine would have liked his death to be the subject of such fevered speculation, Tarantino agreed: He told CNN: "If the last chapter of his autobiography was 'The Mysterious Demise of David Carradine', that would be perfect."

Michael Madsen, Carradine's Kill Bill co-star, added: "I think he would like it that way. It's a typical David way to go - the mysterious death of David Carradine."

Rob Schneider, the actor and director who appeared with Carradine in 2007 comedy Big Stan, said there were parallels with the case of Bruce Lee, whose death in 1973 sparked numerous conspiracy theories.

"The truth is, I think David always felt bad he took the Kung Fu role that was originated from Bruce Lee. I think it's a really odd and beautiful mystery that it's the same way as Bruce Lee. We'll never know exactly what happened with Bruce Lee," said Schneider.

A maid discovered Carradine's body in the luxury suite of the Nai Lert Park Hotel in Bangkok, after she knocked on the door and received no response. The actor was in the city to make a film.

"This certainly was not a natural cause of death," said Nantana Sirisap, chief coroner at Bangkok's Chulalongkom Hospital, adding that toxicology tests had been ordered.

Police chief Colonel Somprasong Yentuam said the investigation was continuing "We are currently interviewing witnesses, film crew, hotel staff and the last person who saw David alive. So far, no-one saw anyone enter David's room around the estimated time of death."

Aurelio Giraudo, the hotel's general manager, said the actor checked into the hotel on May 31 and appeared in good spirits, chatting with staff and entertaining guests by playing piano in the lobby.

"I was a fan. I had a very nice talk with him when he checked in. He was very much a person full of life. I mentioned to him that I had seen [the film] Crank with my family and that was the last smile he gave me," Mr Giraudo said.

Carradine's wife, Annie, and close friends rejected suggestions that the actor deliberately took his own life, despite the fact he had spoken openly of contemplating suicide in the past.

Michael Madsen said: "I don't think he was suicidal by any stretch of the imagination. I talked to Annie and she said the most important thing she wanted everybody to know is that David was not suicidal, he was not depressed and he was not going to do something like that."

Tarantino added: "There might have been a period of David's long life that he could have been suicidal, but this wasn't the time."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... -play.html

[cali4995]

strange, strange story this. the way they described his hands as being bound and him "found in the
closet" it does seem to indicate foul-play. with a media celebrity, may not be able to cover-up this.
at least, that was the gist of the bangkok post article i read this morning.

[beer monkey]

With all his money,his world is his oyster!.....

I have read a story from 'Foxnews' that he was possibly in a little money trouble...true or not its just what was printed.