What was David Carradine’s Net Worth?
David Carradine, an American actor, musician, writer, director, producer, and martial artist, had a net worth of $500 thousand dollars at the time of his death. He died in June 2009 while he was in Bangkok, Thailand, filming a movie. His death was ruled accidental asphyxiation.
Carradine was best known for his leading role as Kwai Chang Caine on the series “Kung Fu” (1972–1975) and “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues” (1993–1997) as well as the more recent role of Bill in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” series (2003–2004). He appeared in more than 230 film and television projects and wrote, directed, and produced several short films, including “A Country Mile” (1973), “You and Me” (1975), and “Americana” (1981).
Carradine also wrote several books, including “The Spirit of Shaolin” (1991), “Endless Highway” (1995), and “David Carradine’s Tai Chi Workout” (1995), and he wrote and performed the theme songs for “Americana” and the 1989 film “Sonny Boy.” He died at the age of 72.
Early Life and Family
David Carradine was born John Arthur Carradine Jr. on December 8, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. His parents, John and Ardanelle, divorced in 1944, and David had four half-brothers, Keith Carradine, Bruce, Robert Carradine, and Christopher. Carradine was the uncle of actresses Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine, and most of his half-brothers are actors as well.
At age 5, David tried to hang himself after he found out that he and Bruce didn’t have the same biological father (Bruce was Ardanelle’s son from her first marriage, and John adopted him). He was saved by his father, who then confiscated and burned David’s comic book collection.
After Carradine’s parents split up, they battled over child custody and alimony, and after the divorce was settled, David moved in with his father, who was living in New York City. In 1967, David and John co-starred in a live telecast of “A Christmas Carol.” Carradine spent a few years in reform schools, boarding schools, and foster homes before moving back to California.
Education and Military Service
Carradine attended Oakland High School, then he enrolled at Oakland Junior College. After his first year at Oakland Junior College, David transferred to San Francisco State College to study music theory and drama, and he wrote music for annual revues put on by the school’s drama department. He eventually dropped out of college, and in 1960, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Carradine drew pictures for Army training aids, and while he was stationed at Virginia’s Fort Eustis, he formed a theatre company that was known as the “entertainment unit.” During his time in the Army, David was court-martialed after he was caught shoplifting at a base grocery store, and he was honorably discharged in 1962.
David Carradine’s Career Highlights
David Carradine made his Broadway and film debuts in 1964 and won a Theatre World Award in 1965. He appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout the ’60s, including the title role on the 1966 Western series “Shane.” From 1972 to 1975, Carradine starred as Kwai Chang Caine on ABC’s “Kung Fu,” earning a Primetime Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe nomination. He continued to act in films throughout the ’80s and ’90s and guest-starred on several television shows. In 2003 and 2004, he appeared in the hit films “Kill Bill: Volume 1” and “Kill Bill: Volume 2,” earning several award nominations. Carradine continued to act in films until his death in 2009, including the posthumously released “Eldorado” in 2012.
David Carradine’s Marriages and Legal Issues
David Carradine was married five times. His first marriage was to Donna Lee Becht, and they had a daughter named Calista. After they divorced, he had a son named Free (later changed his name to Tom) with his co-star Barbara Hershey. He then married Linda Gilbert and had a daughter named Kansas. Carradine divorced Gilbert and married Gail Jensen, but they later separated. He then married Marina Anderson, who accused him of engaging in “abhorrent and deviant sexual behavior.” His final marriage was to Annie Bierman.
Carradine had several legal issues throughout his life. He was arrested for assaulting a police officer in the late ’50s and for marijuana possession in 1967 and 1980. He was also arrested for malicious mischief and attempted burglary in 1974 after breaking into a neighbor’s house while high on peyote. He was arrested for D.U.I. in 1984 and 1989 and was sentenced to probation, community service, and alcohol rehabilitation. In 1994, he was arrested for kicking in a glass door at a Rolling Stones concert in Toronto.
David Carradine’s Death and Funeral
David Carradine was found dead at age 72 in his hotel room at Bangkok’s Swissôtel Nai Lert Park Hotel on June 3, 2009. He was found naked and hanging by a rope in the closet, leading to speculation of suicide. However, two autopsies concluded that his cause of death was accidental asphyxiation. Photos of his body at the scene and autopsy photos were printed in newspapers and circulated online, leading to an FBI probe.
Carradine’s funeral service took place 10 days after his death, and he was buried in a bamboo casket at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. His grave marker is engraved with “The Barefoot Legend” and lyrics from his song “Paint.”
A year after his death, Carradine’s widow filed a wrongful death lawsuit against MK2 Productions, the company producing the movie he was filming at the time of his death. The lawsuit alleged that the company’s assistant left Carradine behind for dinner the night before his death and did not inform him of the group’s whereabouts. The lawsuit was settled in August 2011 for $400,000.
Awards and Recognitions
David Carradine was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 1973 for his role in “Kung Fu.” He also received four Golden Globe nominations throughout his career. In 2005, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Action on Film International Film Festival and a Capri Legend Award in 2004.
Along with his half-brothers Keith and Robert, Carradine received a Golden Boot at the Golden Boot Awards in 1998. He won Best Supporting Actor awards for “Kill Bill: Vol. 2” at the 2004 Golden Schmoes Awards and the 2005 Saturn Awards. He also received a special mention for “Kandisha” at the Málaga International Week of Fantastic Cinema in 2010 and was named Best Actor for “Bound for Glory” by the National Board of Review in 1976.
Carradine received numerous nominations for his role in “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” including Best Supporting Actor nods from various award-giving bodies. He also earned a New York Film Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Actor for “Bound for Glory” in 1977.
In 1997, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a bronze plaque on the Walk of Western Stars in 2008. He was posthumously inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2014.
