David Carradine

David Carradine had five marriages in his lifetime. He married Donna Lee Becht in December 1960 and the couple had their first daughter, Calista in 1962. His first marriage dissolved in 1968.

He was in a relationship with Barbara Hershey from 1969-75. Hershey gave birth to their son, Free in 1972.

David married his second wife Linda in 1977 and the couple had their daughter, Kansas in 1978. His second marriage also ended in divorce.

David Carradine was born on December 8, 1936 in California as John Arthur Carradine. He was addressed as Jack by his family members.

He was the oldest son of Ardanelle Abigail and veteran Hollywood actor John Carradine. He was a half-brother of Bruce, Keith, Christopher, and Robert Carradine.

David had a turbulent childhood due constant bickering between his parents. Disturbed by the lack of harmony, he tried to commit suicide at the age of five. His parents divorced in 1944 when he was seven.

He shuffled between boarding schools, foster homes and reform schools during his primary education. He graduated from Oakland High School, California.

He attended Oakland Junior College for one year and then transferred to San Francisco State University where he studied music theory, composition and drama. He was inducted in the U.S. Army in 1960.

David Carradine left U.S. Army after two years and debuted in an episode of an American TV show ‘Armstrong Circle Theatre’ in 1963. He made his feature film debut with ‘Taggart’ in 1964.

His first big break came with ‘The Royal Hunt of the Sun’ (1965), a play by Peter Shaffer. He appeared in a short-lived television series ’Shane’ in 1966 and an episode of ‘Night Gallery’ in 1971 opposite David McCallum.

In 1972, he co-starred as Bill Shelly in the movie ‘Boxcar Bertha’ which was one of Martin Scorsese's earliest films. It was also one of the very few acting collaborations David had with his father.

He starred in his most recognized and appreciated role as Kwai Chang Caine in ABC TV series ‘Kung Fu’ from 1972 to 1975. The show ended when he quit the same to pursue his move career.

In 1975, he appeared as Frankenstein in the movie ‘Death Race 2000’ and portrayed folksinger Woody Guthry in ‘Bound for Glory’ in 1976. He played the role of an alcoholic trapeze artist in the 1977 movie ‘The Serpent’s Egg’.

‘The Royal Hunt of the Sun’ (1965), a play by Peter Shaffer gave David Carradine his first big break and first award.

He is best known for his character Kwai Chang Caine in the TV series ‘Kung Fu’ (1972-75). It was his performance that led to the portrayal of the role again in ‘Kung Fu: The Legend Continues’ (1993-97).

His role as Bill in Quentin Tarantino's sequential series of ‘Kill Bill’ movies revived his fame and also earned him awards and honors. The role is considered one of the most iconic performances by an actor till this date.