Suicide in Bangkok: Actor David Carradine Dead at 72

He will probably best be remembered for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s television series Kung Fu.

David Carradine in 2005 Courtesy: Wikipedia

(SALEM, Ore.) - American actor David Carradine was found dead in his Bangkok motel room yesterday. He had been staying at the Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel on Wireless Road, near Sukhumvit, in central Bangkok, Thailand.

Oregon radio stations are reporting that David Carradine died in China, which is not accurate. Thai authorities say that according to the initial police report, David Carradine committed suicide by hanging himself.

He body was reportedly discovered by a hotel maid. David Carradine according to the woman's testimony, was sitting in a wardrobe with a rope around his neck and body.

David Carradine was in Bangkok working on his latest movie, Stretch. The movie's production crew was apparently unaware of his absence when they visited a restaurant on June 3rd.

Born in Hollywood, California, David is the son of Ardanelle Abigail (née McCool) and noted American actor John Carradine.

His brother is Bruce Carradine and his half-brothers are Keith and Robert Carradine.

David Carradine had Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh, German, Spanish, Italian, Ukrainian and Cherokee ancestry. Wikipedia explains that he attended Oakland Junior College and and went on to study drama at San Francisco State College. After that he began his career as a stage actor, eventually moving to television and cinema.

He will probably best be remembered for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s television series Kung Fu. Controversial at the time because David Carradine played a Chinese martial arts student, Hollywood believed at the time that prejudice toward Chinese people prevented the use of a Chinese actor.

David Carradine appeared in more than 100 feature films, almost countless TV appearances, and during his career he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award four times.