What Was David Carradine's Net Worth?
David Carradine was a multifaceted American actor, musician, writer, director, producer, and martial artist, estimated to have a net worth of $500,000 at the time of his passing. Best remembered for his portrayal of Kwai Chang Caine in the television series "Kung Fu" (1972–1975) and its sequel "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" (1993–1997), he also gained widespread recognition for his role as Bill in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" series (2003–2004). Carradine's illustrious career spanned over 230 film and television projects, notable among which are the miniseries "North and South" (1985), ABC's "Shane" (1966), and the biopic "Bound for Glory" (1976) where he starred as Woody Guthrie.
Carradine showcased his versatility by writing, directing, and co-producing the short musical "A Country Mile" (1973). He also directed films like "You and Me" (1975) and "Americana" (1981). His directorial ventures extended to episodes of "Kung Fu" and an episode of "Lizzie McGuire" (2001). In addition to producing several projects, he penned books including "The Spirit of Shaolin" (1991) and "The Kill Bill Diary" (2006). Sadly, David passed away in June 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand, due to accidental asphyxiation while filming a movie.
Early Life
Born John Arthur Carradine Jr. on December 8, 1936, in Los Angeles, California, David was the son of actor John Carradine. His parents, John and Ardanelle, divorced in 1944. He had four half-brothers: Keith, Bruce, Robert, and Christopher. David was the uncle of actresses Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine.
At a young age, David discovered that his brother Bruce was not his biological sibling, leading him to attempt to hang himself at age 5. His father intervened and removed David's comic book collection in response. Following his parents' tumultuous custody battle, David lived in New York City with his father. He attended multiple schools, including Oakland High School, Oakland Junior College, and San Francisco State College, where he studied music theory and drama.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1960, David contributed artwork for training aids and formed a theatre company known as the "entertainment unit" at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He was honorably discharged in 1962 after a court-martial for shoplifting.
Career
After his military service, Carradine changed his first name to avoid confusion with his father. He debuted on Broadway and in film in 1964 and soon earned accolades for his performances. His notable works of the '60s include films like "Taggart" (1964) and "Young Billy Young" (1969) and TV shows such as "Shane" (1966) and "Ironside" (1968).
From 1972 to 1975, Carradine starred as Kwai Chang Caine in "Kung Fu," earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. He revisited this role in "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" (1993–1997) and in a 1986 TV movie. His '70s film portfolio includes "Boxcar Bertha" (1972) and "Bound for Glory" (1976), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
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In the '80s, Carradine starred in films such as "Lone Wolf McQuade" (1983) and "Armed Response" (1986). He earned another Golden Globe nomination for his role in the miniseries "North and South" (1985). The '90s saw him in movies like "Bird on a Wire" (1990) and "Martial Law" (1990). His voice role in "An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island" (1998) is also noteworthy.
David made guest appearances on shows like "Just Shoot Me!" and "Alias." He hosted "Wild West Tech" on The History Channel and appeared on reality series like "Celebrity Paranormal Project" and "Celebrity Ghost Stories." His portrayal of Bill in "Kill Bill: Volume 1" (2003) and "Kill Bill: Volume 2" (2004) were critically acclaimed. David continued working prolifically in the 2000s, appearing in over 50 films, including "Epic Movie" (2007) and "Crank: High Voltage" (2009).
Personal Life
David married five times and had two daughters, Calista and Kansas, and a son named Tom. He had a tumultuous personal life, marked by legal issues, including arrests for assault, drug possession, and DUI. His marriages to Donna Lee Becht, Linda Gilbert, Gail Jensen, Marina Anderson, and Annie Bierman were eventful, and he faced numerous challenges within his relationships.
Death
David Carradine was found dead on June 3, 2009, in Bangkok, at the age of 72. Found in his hotel room, his death was initially suspected to be a suicide but was later ruled accidental asphyxiation. His funeral was held on June 13, 2009, and he was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Following his death, his widow Annie filed a wrongful death lawsuit against MK2 Productions, which settled in 2011 for $400,000. David's final resting place is marked with the phrase "The Barefoot Legend" and lyrics from his song "Paint."
Awards and Nominations
David Carradine's outstanding career earned him several honors. He received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1973 and four Golden Globe nominations for various works, including "Kung Fu" and "Kill Bill: Vol. 2." He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 Action on Film International Film Festival, a Capri Legend Award in 2004, and a Golden Boot in 1998. Additionally, his performance in "Bound for Glory" earned him a special mention from the National Board of Review in 1976.
David earned multiple nominations for "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" and was recognized posthumously when he was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame in 2014. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a bronze plaque on the Walk of Western Stars serve as enduring tributes to his legacy.
