Trivia

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

He played various instruments: piano, guitar, flute, among many others.

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.

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

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.

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

Lived with Barbara Hershey from 1972-1975 (she changed her last name to Seagull during this time).

They have a son they named Free Carradine at birth, but who has since changed his name to Tom Carradine.

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.

Many of the characters he has played possess lethal martial arts skills. This is a nod to his most famous character, the deadly yet benevolent Kwai Chang Caine on the television series Kung Fu (1972).

His paternal half-brothers Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine, both appeared in The Long Riders (1980), with him.

James Cromwell, Tom Selleck, Steve Railsback, Frances Fisher, Lucy Liu and Vicki Roberts attended his funeral, which was held ten days after his death.

Began studying the martial arts after getting cast on Kung Fu (1972).

Was an honorary member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

David Carradine passed away on June 3, 2009, in a hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand. He was working on a movie entitled "Stretch".

Was healthy and physically active until his death of accidental asphyxiation at age 72.

He was born in Hollywood, but he was brought up all over the country, mostly by boarding school teachers and reform school wardens.

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.

His great-grandmother, Beverly Carradine, was a Methodist evangelical author.

Following his death, he was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in Los Angeles, California.

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

Has appeared in more than 200 films and television dramas.

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.

Met his first wife, Donna Lee Becht, when they were both sweethearts in high school, and lived with her off base while he was in the army in Virginia, stationed at Fort Eustis. They were married at the end of 1960 and divorced in 1968.

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

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.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 1, 1997.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

To date, he is the only actor who has appeared in films directed by Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Quentin Tarantino.

His obituary stated he was survived by four children.

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.

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

Uncle of actresses Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine.

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

Remained good friends with Chris Potter during and after Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993).

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

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

For most of his adult life, he was a heavy smoker.

Friends with: Raymond Burr, Mickey Rooney, Andy Griffith, Chuck Norris, Jane Seymour, Bruce Lee, Clu Gulager, Hugh O'Brian, James Drury, Doug McClure, Clint Walker, Alex Cord, Larry Cohen, Robert Ito, James Cromwell, Michael Parks, M. Emmet Walsh, Maxwell Caulfield, Quentin Tarantino, Fred Williamson, Frances Fisher, Tom Selleck, Martin Scorsese, David Winters and Michael Madsen.

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

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