David Carradine Found With A Rope Around Neck

It is unconfirmed, but according to the BBC, David Carradine was by a hotel maid sitting in a wardrobe with a rope around his neck and body on Thursday morning, in an apparent suicide. BBC indicates Thai police gave them this information.

According to his personal manager Chuck Binder, David Carradine was in Thailand filming his latest film Stretch. Binder said the news was "shocking", seemingly discounting the speculation over suicide by adding that "He was full of life, always wanting to work ... a great person."

David Carradine starred in the 1970s TV series “Kung Fu.” His was a controversial choice, made when network executives felt that the starring role in the series could not be carried by their first choice, Asian actor Bruce Lee. He is pictured in that role in the photo attached to this post.

In the series, David Carradine played Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk who travels through the American Old West armed only with his skill in martial arts. Carradine actually had no knowledge of martial arts prior to starring in the series, but developed an interest in it after this experience and became an avid practitioner.

David Carradine also had a notable movie career, including, of late, a role in the series of movies, Kill Bill. Of late, he has also done a significant number of voiceovers for animated features.