This man was honored to lead millions of other people with him and his passion. It was thanks to the passion for the east with its ancient wisdom, special philosophy and medicine that David Carradine “infected” America with his hobby, and then the world. Unfortunately, the great actor and master of martial arts passed away, but left behind a huge legacy that excites the minds of both young and older generations. We remembered him as a talented actor, the greatest master of kung fu and a very interesting, one might even say, exotic person.
The birth of a star
The man, who later became the idol of millions, was born on December 8, 1936 in Hollywood itself. His father was the famous actor John Carradine, who has accounted for about three hundred films, including silent film paintings. The boy received the name John Arthur, who then changed to David. Interestingly, his genus had very exotic roots, including Ukrainian ones. He himself liked to talk about this in numerous interviews.
Father left the family early, following the cast of actors. He traveled around Europe and died in Milan, having managed to say that this is a suitable place. But his talent was transferred not only to the eldest offspring, whom David Carradine was, but also to his three younger sons and even two granddaughters.
Way to the cinema
Birth in the very capital of world cinema obliged David to become an actor. However, at first he resisted fate: he studied musical theory and composition, wrote melodies for theatrical revues. But still, the stage attracted him, forcing him to join a troupe called "Shakespeare Theater Company." Then there was the army, after which David Carradine moved to New York. In the Big Apple City, he played in Broadway productions, starred in commercials. The young man returned to his native Hollywood already an experienced actor. And he began acting in popular westerns then.
The Triumph of John Carradine Jr.
Films with David Carradine came out very often: he inherited a huge industriousness from his father. This is not to say that everything went smoothly. However, eight years of work, which had changeable success, did not disappoint the actor. At that time, novice director Martin Scorsese began work on his first film - “Berta, nicknamed“ Freight Wagon ”. This tape, which appeared in 1972, became a triumph not only for the director, but also for the cast. In the same year, another movie masterpiece was released, which turned David into a world star and a favorite of millions. The cult series Kung Fu was filmed in 1972–1975, and David Carradine played a major role in it. For the sake of participating in the filming, he began to study martial arts, and then devoted the rest of his life to them. This role also earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 1974. Under the influence of a new hobby, the actor studied the philosophy and traditions of the mysterious continent, and then set out all the accumulated knowledge in the book “The Spirit of Shaolin”.
Actor’s creative heritage
Hundreds measure the number of roles played by David Carradine. The filmography of the actor could take more than one
printed sheet, second-rate roles also become only on a par with Oscar-winning works. Carried away more and more by
eastern philosophy, David does not pay attention to the quality of the scripts and the potential of the film, focusing on its plot. This could ruin a career, if not all the same huge capacity for work. That's why Carradine’s legacy includes blockbusters such as Evil Streets, Train Rushing to Glory, and Snake Egg.
Along with acting, David tries himself as a director, but not very successfully. His best work is considered the drama "Americana", released in 1983. In this film dedicated to the Vietnam War veterans, Carradine also starred.
Kung Fu in Carradine's Life
After such a variety of films, actor David Carradine returns to his favorite subject - kung fu. It was in such a role that this ingenious man remembered us. He starred in the continuation of the cult series of the seventies "Kung Fu: The Revival of the Legend" and in the comedy "Bird on the Wire." But the cycle of second-rate pictures again involved the actor. Almost from oblivion, Quentin Tarantino pulled him out, who saw him as the leader of a band of assassins in the action movie "Kill Bill." It is worth noting that David brilliantly played in the film, literally parodying himself. This work brought him another nomination for the Golden Globe. And then he returned to his circles, plunging headlong into work.
"Kill Bill"
When several talents come together to work together, the result should be stunning. So it happened with the unique film “Kill Bill” by cult director Quentin Tarantino. The genius of cinema created a script and shot a very spectacular and bewitching picture from it. The magic of the Asian continent and martial arts, the brilliance of weapons and the intricacy of the plot are complemented by carefully selected music and the masterful play of the actors. With the image of the main character, the beautiful Uma Thurman brilliantly dealt with, and the villain whom it was necessary to kill was perfectly played by Carradine, famous for his love of martial arts of the East. Here David is like a fish in water: this is his genre, his style, his spirit. That is why even a negative character is so loved by the viewer. If Bill was another actor, the film would have lost a lot.
Tai Chi with David Carradine
In 2004, a brilliant actor presented the world his new work - two unique sets of exercises based on ancient martial art. These are tai chi for the spirit and tai chi for the body. The first exercises are aimed at concentration, relaxation and recovery, and the second - at tone, vitality and energy. Duration of disc recordings is sixty minutes.
What is tai chi? This is an ancient martial art of the Middle Kingdom, which is widely used as an effective fitness gymnastics. It helps people find harmony in body, soul and consciousness. There are no static poses, as in yoga, the body is constantly in motion - slow, smooth, calming, healing.
The personal life of the action movie star
David Carradine, whose photo is probably present in the collection of every fan of martial arts, was a handsome and strong man. And a special outlook, fame and money was added to the bright appearance. That is why he was a stunning success with women. The actor was married five times, he has two daughters (from his first two marriages).
The excellent physical form of the actor is the result of the application of the healing principles of the East. In addition, he was also distinguished by an excellent sexual form. However, each of his spouses noted that in bed he was very strange. Two of them left David for precisely this reason. Carradine loved to be tied, sometimes he could bind himself, had a passion for exhibitionism, sex in public places. It was these inclinations that brought him to the grave, although he could still live and live.
Deadly Bangkok
At a respectable age, and he was 72 years old, David Carradine passed away. The cause of death is another mystery left to fans. In the hotel room of Bangkok, where another film was shot with the actor, a body was found. The body of the legend of the militants was naked and wrapped in ropes. Forensics believed that the death came from an accidental self-strangulation of the actor during a sexual game. A version was also voiced about suicide, however, people who talked to the actor the day before refute such speeches, claiming that David looked happy and joked. The intentional murder was also ruled out: there was no evidence, and there were no strangers in the room.
Hollywood memorial service
Thousands of people could come to a funeral in Hollywood, because the star had a lot of fans. But even on the last journey the actor was escorted exotic, according to a special scenario. Only the color of the cinema capital was allowed into the cemetery - four hundred people who were personally acquainted with David. Cordon security passed only those who had a special invitation with a portrait of the late actor and a recording of the program of the event.
At first there was a concert lasting two hours, during which music of different styles and directions sounded. The sky was gloomy and mournful, completely overcast. But they parted, giving way to the sun, painted in red, just at that moment when the body of the deceased was buried. David Carradine’s earthly path ended with Beethoven’s “Requiem for a Fallen Hero” performed by an orchestra. And we will remember him every time his next character appears on the TV screen, dressed in a beautiful kimono.