Remembering David Carradine
Like so many people, I am shocked and saddened by the news of David Carradine's passing. It's funny: there's nobody I know who doesn't love David Carradine. And in the many months that we worked together, he always showed up on set -- on time -- with a smile on his face.
I'll never forget the first time I met him for the movie, with Harvey Weinstein. Quentin already had called him and told him he had the role -- before Harvey and I had even had the opportunity to even meet with him. So here's David having to come to meet the producers, after the director had given him the job. To say he was coming there with trepidation would be an understatement. He was very defensive and, honestly, I didn't blame him. But the second he looked at us with that David Carradine look that he gave, Harvey and I looked at each other and laughed and said, "This is Bill!" (the main character of our movie). From there, things warmed up pretty damn quickly and all was good.
One of the most wonderful memories I have of David is from first day of training. We had created a training center where all the actors trained in the martial arts for three solid months, 9-to-5, five days a week. And there he was with his sword, and I couldn't help but think: I'm watching the TV show Kung Fu...only live and in person!
Every day for months Lucy Liu, Uma Thurman, Vivica Fox, Daryl Hannah and David Carradine would train -- it was a sight to behold. As has become legend, the shoot for Kill Bill went on so long we were actually able to create two movies out of it. But there was never one complaint out of David.
People say that when you make a movie it's like creating a family... yes, sometimes a dysfunctional one, but a family nevertheless. And I speak for Quentin and all of us when I say we have lost a dear member of our family. He'll always be with us.
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I can't say that his passing was a major cultural milestone but I credit him with helping to inspire me to travel the world. His character Caine was a man, barefoot, kit bag slung over his shoulder armed only with his wits, a bamboo flute and extraordinary fighting skills that foretold Bruce Lee. As he ascended a sand dune in the burning midday sun, the pilgrim searched for another day. He had no money, didn't need money. He had no woman, who knows how he did that. Had a beat up old ill fitting hat that sheltered him from the elements; the vagaries of the future. Never one to begin a conflict "Chinaman" always attempted reason before he addressed any foe's aggression. To me, and apparently others (Quentin Tarentino) this icon was way cool.
I thought then, and having only television examples of strength and masculinity to guide me, that his pacific, ready demeanor to overcome the unknown was significant. His acumen was not his fighting prowess as much as was his use of the rudiments of "zen."
This image was encouraging as I traveled with little resources and even less knowledge. Faced with doubt and even danger it sustained me without that lanky bad ass kung-fu kick for defense. A man alone, facing his demons and succumbing to the importance of now. Thanks and RIP.
You will be remembered always and missed immensely. RIP David Carradine.
Carradine was also great as Woody Guthrie in Bound for Glory. He did his own singing and guitar playing, and he did his own stunts, too.
He is one of only two American actors to work with Ingmar Bergman. He was in Bergman's The Serpent's Egg, an English language film Bergman directed in 1978. He's very good, and the film is very underrated.
Thanks for pointing me into that direction. I am a big Bob Dylan/Guthrie fan. Will have to look on Ebay for a copy. Thanks.
Now you've met someone who didn't love or admire him - me. Guess all the rumors I heard about him in the 70's had some grounding after all.
I agree... and I was not a fan, either. Amazingly talented family. David was a very good actor. However, the rumors from the 70s were rather telling (ego-mania, drugs, twisted sexual encounters). What's more, if we remember correctly, David...no martial arts training at the time...was selected over Bruce because he was anglo. His kung fu sucked. True, he helped a crippled western society embrace the rudiments of zen...but, how did he live?
Great here come the negative trolls, nobody cares what you think about someone you never met. and formed your opinion from "what you heard", and again "rumors", Also the author has not "MET" you, you posted on a site, BFD!
A great talent. I loved his work.
David Carradine was my first pre-teen crush (I felt so weird since my friends were all about David and Sean Cassidy and Leif Garrett) and that crush continues to this day. He will be missed.
Great post. I used to watch Kung Fu with my family as a child. He will be missed.
It is amazing how the TV program, "Kung Fu" became such a part of our popular culture. Those images of David Carradine so embedded in our consciousness. Rest in Peace, Brother.
We used to gather to watch Kung Fu like Sunday school. The lessons were as profound as any in my youth.
David will always be my hero.
I wish somehow my posting this could bring him back. Very sad. He will be missed. Loved watching him with my little bro on TV, who watched him every episode, and later watching my son learn Kung Fu from his how-to video. He was mesmerized. We all were I guess, and as one poster said, waiting for that moment of "soft power" where he let it rip at the end of an episode of Kung Fu. As Obama said this week in Cairo: 'Peace be upon you' David. You will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family.
All of the Carradines have that special smile that you just want to return. RIP David.
RIP David Carradine
David Carradine was special. The roast of William Shatner is re-running on Comedy Central right now and as the camera panned across the crowd, there was David Carradine. He and his wife both seemed so happy. I am reluctant to believe the suicide story until the investigation is complete. The world lost a good one.
A great tribute. Thank you.
The original "Kung Fu" series, in this writers opinion, was one of the greatest programs ever produced for television. Though its cinematography still rivals many proceeding productions, its most important contribution was its dramatic illustrations of Eastern Mysticism, which is still misunderstood, and demonized by many in Western Civilization. There was also a paperback book published by Warner Commuications (producers of K F) called "The Wisdom of Kung Fu", for those who are interested in proverbs, aphorisms, and axioms. Hopefully, one of the networks will run a marathon of the series so that others may have their own revelations.
"We are possessed by what we would possess; held in bondage to earth and vested things by the attachments we form for them...eve
i was having lunch with some "Christian folk" years ago and when they asked what church I attend I answered "I am a Zen Buddhist". Without batting an eye the mom said "Oh so you worship Satan?
I replied
"No, we have no images, no Satan, no God, no Buddha ,no Cross,all that stuff is for you."
Try having the same lunch with Wahabi Muslims. Christian folk are know for their tolerance. They may want to save you but they aren't going to terrorize you.
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