David Carradine (1936 - 2009)
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2009 by Travis Cody in
David Carradine died Wednesday. He was 72.
Mr Carradine was found hanged in his hotel room in Thailand, where he was shooting a new film. He starred in more than 100 films and is probably best known for his role as a Shaolin monk in the TV series Kung Fu, which ran from 1972 to 1975.
I couldn't name a favorite western. But The Long Riders is on the list. Mr Carradine starred as Cole Younger and was joined by his brothers Keith as Jim Younger and Robert as Bob Younger. Stacy and James Keach played Jesse and Frank James. Dennis and Randy Quaid played Ed and Clell Miller. And Christopher and Nicholas Guest played Charlie and Bob Ford.
I'm not well-versed in the facts and history of the James-Younger gang, but if there was a fictionalized version of the story that was closest to the truth, I'd vote for The Long Riders. I want this version to be the truth because it doesn't glorify or vilify the actions of the men. They did what they did, and they paid for it.
Preliminary reports are that Mr Carradine may have committed suicide. Whether that's the case or not, he was a favorite of mine and I hope he is at peace.
He will be missed,that is for sure.