David Carradine "Kung Fu" Star Dead of Apparent Suicide

Hollywood is mourning the loss of a movie star, David Carradine, as his longtime manager announced the actor's death. According to reports, Carradine, 72 years old, was found hanging in a Bangkok hotel room. The hotel David Carradine was staying at, and was found dead in is Swissotel Nai Lert Park. While the death is being investigated by Thai police, reports suggest that Carradine died as a result of suicide.

Thai authorities informed the US Embassy, and spokesman, Michael Turner, confirmed the death to media outlets. In consideration for the family, Turner could not divulge all the details of David Carradine's death. It is suspected that the actor died either late Wednesday or early Thursday.

David Carradine was in Bangkok to film a new movie, and was in the luxury hotel room since Tuesday. His lastest film, Stretch, was being filmed in Bangkok, but no details of the movie are available yet. Thai newspaper report that the 1970s star failed to appear for a meal with the rest of his film crew on Wednesday. Carradine was also unreachable on Wednesday, and a hotel maid found his body at 10AM Thursday morning.

Preliminary police investigation by the Thai authorities stated that the body was found hanging by a cord used with the hotel room's curtains. The Thai police report also stated that Carradine had been dead for at least twelve hours, and there was no obvious signs of assault. Initial police reports state that the death was an apparent suicide.

Hollywood was shocked by the news, as well as movie fans worldwide. Carradine was described as "full of life" and "a great person". Actor's manager was especially shocked by the news, as he was unaware of any personal or business issues that could have caused Carradine to ponder suicide. It is unclear if the actor was depressed, or under any sort of pressure.

David Carradine comes from a memorable Hollywood acting family. His father, John Carradine, and brother, Keith Carradine, were famous actors in their own rights. John Carradine starred in more than 100 feature films, and gained worldwide fame from the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu". 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.

Carradine returned to his famous role in the 1980s TV movie, and played Caine's grandson in the 1990s TV series "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues".

In recent times, Carradine returned to worldwide fame and his beloved audience in the movie-saga "Kill Bill".

David Carradine, 72 years old, was found dead in Bangkok, Thailand. He will be missed by his Hollywood peers, and his fans worldwide.

Sources:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-04-carradine-obit_N.htm?csp=34